This is a Building in Ghana checklist. You might want to follow this checklist guide to get started and complete your building construction project in Ghana.
We will continue to update and detail this post into a building construction checklist you can print and use in your projects in Ghana.
If you are in the building industry in Ghana You can comment to contribute any ideas or steps we may have omitted. Thank you
This is a home-building project checklist of questions to ask before you get started. It relates to the various stages of your home building journey: searching for the ideal plot, planning and design the house, and building the house.
Lets Go!
Stage 1 – Get The MONEY-That Builds!
First, get The Money That Builds. I’m talking 6 figures and possibly in dollars.
Because building in Ghana isn’t cheap. It’s no joke!
Did you know that building materials in Ghana increase in price by 50 percent every 6 months ?Check the facts with your local quantity survey (QS).
I don’t care how you get the money: Be it responsibly ,legally, morally or ethically or not. If you really want to realize your building project in Ghana get the money that builds in Ghana.
Stage 2 – Get Your Land
Finding the land and location
Doing Land Ownership search
Buying the land
- Part Payment or Full Payment
- Land documents-Indenture
- Occupy land with materials
Protecting your land
- Registering the land
- Walling the land
Stage 3 – Get The Building Design
Where and How to Get Building Design
- Premade Online plans (downloadable)
- Custom Design by architect
Finding your Architect
- Researching online
- Referrals from friends and family
Working with your Architect
- Briefing-Sharing Your dream idea
- Site Visit with Architect
- Design concepts/ Reviews
- Full Set of Building Plans
Stage 4 – Organize full Set of Construction Documents
Construction Drawing Package
- Architectural Drawings
- Structural Engineering Drawings with report and calculations
- Mechanical/Plumbing Drawings
- Electrical Engineering Drawings
Other Documents
Fire Permit (From fire consultant from Ghana Fire Service
TIA-Traffic Impact Assessment Report From traffic Consultant
EPA -Environmental Protection Permit
Hydro Report From Hydro Consultant
Soil Test Report
Stage 5 – Get Your Building Permit
Building Permit In Ghana 101
- What is a building permit?
- Why You Need a Building Permit?
- Where to get a Building Permit?
- Cost of Building Permit in Ghana?
Full set of Documents you need
- Architectural Drawings
- Structural Engineering Drawings
- Mechanical/Plumbing Drawings
- Electrical Engineering Drawings
- Fire Permit
- TIA
- EPA
- Hydro
- Soil Test Report
Stage 6 – Get The Preliminary Cost of Your Project
Ideally you should have decided your budget for building with your architect before the design stage.
This is good practice because it helps you to focus on getting a design that you can build quickly within your budget.
Unfortunately, many first-time builders do not develop a budget for building their homes in Ghana. Most people just go with a nebulous dreams only to get stuck with uncompleted structures that sit around for a long time.
You will need a quantity surveyor to give you a:
Preliminary cost
This is a general cost of the full construction without going into details. It is usually based on you total floor area.
Material schedule
This is basically a complete list and quantity of of all the various materials you will need for each stage of the project. However, it does not include the cost of the materials and its transportation to your site.
It does not also include the labor charges for working with them.
Complete Bill of Quantities
This a full document that clear shows you the:
- Quantities of materials
- Cost of transportation to your site
- Labor charges for work to be done at each stage of the project
Stage 7 – Start Your Construction Project
Before Construction
- Review Project plan
- Review Work break down
- Site Preparations
- Organize first Materials
- Organize Equipment
- Organize workforce and labor
- Foreman
- Masons
- Laborers
- Carpenters
- Steel benders
- Plumbers
- Electricians
During Construction – Stages Of Building in Ghana
1. Structural Stage
- Foundation
- Main Building
- Roofing
2. Finishes Stage
- Foundation
- Main Building
- Roofing
3. External Work Stage
- Fence wall / Gatehouse
- Plastering
- Other Wall finishes- Painting, Stone / Graffito
- Hard landscapes Paving
- Soft landscapes (lawn/planting)
- Exterior Lighting
After Construction
- New Residential Construction Quality Checklist
- General and deep cleaning of rooms and spaces
- Ghana Water connection
- ECG Power connection
General Advice
- Protecting the site
- Hiring and firing workers
- Managing workers
- Avoiding theft on site
- Avoiding Material Waste
- Delegating Tasks
- Getting good site supervision
- Tracking Construction Progress Demanding for Progress report
- Removing construction waste properly
Stage 8 – Move in already
Stage 9 – Throw Your Thanks-Giving Party
Conclusion
This checklist will continue to grow in detail. You can help by Asking Specific Questions for any stage you may need help with.
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