Cast iron gates,Interlock tiles and Landscaping design and guidance

Naturally you need not just the house but the gate,compound wall and landscape around the house to look impressive modern,convenient and comfortable.

Cast iron gates with better design and quality

Our associates at Cochin manufactures best quality cast iron gates both movable and opening type with better design by our team of experts. We can supply these at anywhere in Kerala

Interlock tile laying for your compound in front of house

Interlock tile laying with attractive designs can be arranged by us with our associates manufacturing these tiles at Cochin. Laying also can be arranged by us anywhere in Kerala

Also by visiting your site we can properly advice and suggest a better land scape to make your surroundings of house look elegant , comfortable and convenient

Look at some pictures

For price and other terms write to us

vhthomas@viruvelil.com

Ferro cement septic tanks, water tanks

 

Our associates at Cochin manufactures quality Ferro cement concrete septic tanks and water tanks for more than 20 years now. These products have exceptionally good quality. Absolutely no complaints even after tens or twenty years of installation, comparatively cheaper compared to traditional brick and plaster septic tanks which get damaged very fast with tree roots breaking walls within a few years of installation

We will arrange supply anywhere in Kerala with excavation and installation directly by manufacturer and with technical guidance from our experts

For details and order to supply and install, write to

vhthomas@viruvelil.com

Queries and reply-House design,construction

Small house for vacation

QUOTE

I have been surfing the net and found your blog. I read all questions and your answers and I understand that you do your work with sincerity and perfection and  that is the reason I am writing this mail to you. I have a plot in Kalady which is 2000 sq.ft in area. Also there is a dilapidated old tiled house. I do not want any big construction to be laid in the land as I am planning to use the space for growing plants(herbal medicines and vegetables). I want to live in a house, even it is going to be a hut, but in a calm, green and healthy environment without much luxury and advancements in terms of technology. I need a plan whereby I want only two rooms apart  from bath and toilet. The two rooms are just a big hall and a kitchen. The big hall should function as living room and bed room. To avoid outside people I will also go for a sit-out in the front portion. The house should be a typical Kerala type tiled house though very small. It would be great if it is planned esthetically having in mind the olden days. It should give  the feeling of a home rather than a house. I am planning to bring big social activities living there and hence it is a dream-project for me. Hope you would understand my intention well. The most important feature I am looking forward to is construction of a perfect pyramid for meditation and concentration purpose. Please let me know whether we can proceed with this project. If you reply this as a possible task, I shall send you the plot details.

Best Regards,
CHITHRA RAGHAVAN
Watch your thoughts; they become words,
Watch your words; they become actions,
Watch your actions; they become habits,
Watch your habits; they become character,
Watch your character; it becomes destiny.

My reply

Your dreams are good.A site visit is required first to study site conditions and to think how best your dreams can be converted into a plan of the house.From there we will move on step by step to reach your dream house

Interlock bricks for  house construction

QUOTE

I'm Ajith from Trivandrum. I went through your websites, seems appeal to me, I'm planning to build a home in near future, what's your opinion about homes built using interlock bricks?is it a good option? Expecting a reply from your side.

My reply

In my opinion interlock bricks are more suited for compound wall.In Kerala climate with continuous rains for more than 8 months it is better to plaster at least outer walls.

To reduce cost you can use solid concrete blocks instead of  brick

Queries and reply-House Construction

Extension to existing house

QUOTE

I am having a one storage house and I would like to add one more storage.My house is of 1200 sq feet and I would like to add the staircase from inside the house.I like to have two bedrooms and a hall.Is it possible for you to give me details about the maximum expenditure that I have to put on

I do not have the plan with me now as i am in Pune.Is it possible for me to know how much will be the maximum expenditure that i have to put according to the market today.I will see whether i could get the plan.

Anul Ramesh

My reply

Lack of awareness on House construction related matters make you think that some one qualified and experienced may be able to give cost indication with the information provided by you.House construction or extension is not that simple

In fact it will be very difficult to assess or estimate expenses that can be expected for a modification/extension work as defects in construction of the original building will be known only when we attempt to do extension work.

A site visit,preparation of drawings of existing and proposed modification and preparation of Engineering Estimate will give you some idea on expected cost.Basically you have to first decide whether the extension planned is essential.Get expert advice on feasibility and usefulness of extension you are thinking of.May be an expert can guide you better on this.If you feel that the extension work is essential and viable after consulting a professional,you should not delay the work.Tomorrow cost can only go up making your plans un reachable

Building House in farm land  at Mala

QUOTE

Have plot in mala. Interested in building house of 1500-2000 sq. ft. Can
you give me ideas as to cost and designs.  For 2 people, no children,
to be used on part time basis. Large rooms desired and small 2 bedrooms
for guest. Even a small plunge pool, 10-12 ft. on back deck. Live in us
in architect designed house and love it.  Can you help? Await your
reply. 

Everette Crotts,

johns island, .
USA

UNQUOTE

I have visited this plot in an interior location away from Mala.There is no proper road reaching the plot even from a small panchayath road.About 30 cents of land with lot of Jathi trees reaching high yield condition.USA based Mr.Crotts has spent money and purchased this land about an year in the name of a school teacher  staying nearby.For all practical purposes the local teacher is using and having land as his own.According to neighbour he will get about Rs.80,000/- per year from Jathi trees.
Mr.Crotts who spent for purchase of land has no legal right on the land as per records.So I advised him not to spent any more money in the land.Place is not ideal for use to put up a vacation house.Cutting down Jathi trees in plot for construction now will be foolishness

So I advised him to sell the property at higher market value prevailing if his local teacher associate is willing to co operate and hand over proceeds of sale to him

Changing Flooring of the house

QUOTE

We have been living in our twenty year old house and its flooring is done with red oxide. Now I am planning to put tiles on the floor and the total area comes around 1000 sq.ft. I am looking for a medium budget plan. Can you give me the cost of ceramic tiles and granite tiles separately for my house? According to your opinion which one is best suitable for my house.

  Also can you give me the cost per square feet for chipping the floor, cost for laying tiles and the material cost(means cement, sand etc.) separately?

Waiting for your reply.

Regards,

Harikumar

My reply

There is no need to chip off existing floor.You can use tile adhesive instead of cement sand mix(mortar) to fix tiles.It is better to use anti skid tiles with better  strength,elegant colour and finish costing about Rs.70 per sft.Both NITCO and Johnson are manufacturing these tiles now.NITCO is calling it as Naturoc tiles

Construction queries and replies

LOW COST HOUSE

QUOTE

Dear Mr.Thomas,
 
II have a 5.5 cents plot of land near Mangalore. For the past couple of years, it has become an obsession to build a small traditional type house  of 1100 to 1200 sq.ft on a small budget - 8 to 10 lakhs at the most - using durable but cheaper building material.. Red oxide or Kadappa flooring instead of granite , use of lime mixture instead of concrete etc. I  accidentally came across your blog when I was doing research on the net to realise my dream. Could you advise me if it is possible to build such a house within the budget I have mentioned?

Thanking you in advance,
 
Best regards,
Vishwanath

My reply

Many people have this thinking that by changing flooring material cost of construction can be reduced.Most important cost reduction can be achieved only if you can get most appropriate plan of the house meeting your requirements,budget,avoiding wastage of space and with proper engineering and professional guidance from beginning to end of construction at every stage.

Yesterday I went to visit a house under construction at Thiruvalla.Plan of the house is simply hopeless with wastage of space, improper planning and everything done in a hopeless manner.Plumbing and Electrical work are done by some one who do not know anything about latest technology in these areas ..No professional guidance and every bit of work is done in a manner resulting in colossal waste of money producing inconveniences improper quality and much more.No body can do anything to improve that house construction which might have spent more than a crore.Owner of the house has called me to suggest improvements at this final stage.I said I am helpless to do anything or suggest anything at this stage .

All these simply because owner of house did not bother to get a qualified experienced person to get most appropriate plan of the house and professional guidance during construction.A contractor who have taken up the work on square feet basis has done the work with a simple objective of making profit.No proper structural or architectural design,No plumbing ,electrical expertise used.Finally entire money on construction is simply wasted resulting in a house about which man who spent money can only cry for ever.

If you ask him probably he would not have paid anything to an Architect or Engineer.Square feet cost  contractor would have given that attractive offer of free plan and no professional charges.By saving those pennies he lost pounds in plenty.

Unless I know what exactly you need in the house,prepare the plan of the house there is no way to predict cost of house.If you have only Rs.8 lakhs with you let your Architect decide what you can get with that Rs.8 lakhs.If your requirements for the house cannot be met by spending Rs.8 lakhs ,you should be willing to arrange house loan.Postponing construction due to lack of funds now will only lead you to a situation where construction simply will not be possible due to continuous price rise.

MINIMALISTIC DESIGN

QUOTE

My queries are on Minimalistic Designs.

I am staying in Bangalore, and here i had a chance to visit some of the apartments. I saw the usage of Glass walls, Ceramic fritted glass splashes and glass shower enclosure
Are these available in Kerala?
What is the estimated cost?

I liked it as it makes the room modern and spacious.Especially when it replaces the walls around kitchen, dining room and main hall with glass fitted partitions.

near Kannur i am constructing a new house.

I have found a design from internet and modified a bit. It does not have the details but would like achieve something like that
I am attaching it.
For the partitions i am looking forward for glass walls or stuffs like that.
Please send me an update about the design.
I have a land about 14 cent.

Sharmila

My reply

As a professional with experience in the field I cannot recommend or support your piece meal attitude like taking plan from a website,modifying it by yourself and enquiring about interior part House construction is not that simple can give proper guidance and suggestions only if I can visit site and study the matter in detail

I can give detailed report after visit

It will be difficult for me to advise you without studying the case in detail

Partition walls can be done with material other than brick or similar material.Again this has to be decided by the Architect to suit the work after considering every related aspects.Hence I cannot comment on suitability of different type of materials for partition walls in your case

BUILDING APARTMENTS

QUOTE

Hi Mr.Thomas,

My name is Robin and I am planning to build a house/few apartments.. The Plot is 20 cents in Kattappana.Within 2 KM. May I know whether I can build 6 apartments in 3 floors in that plot..Otherwise I may have to think about building a house ..

Pl let me know..Robin Thomas

My reply

See,I cannot give a proper answer just by reading few lines sent by you.I have to visit site,study site conditions and about your budget limitations if any.Then only a reply  can be given

Queries and replies -House construction

ROOF CRACKING AFTER TWO YEARS

QUOTE

Dear Mr Thomas,
 
I am Col.Ganapathy retired from the Indian Army and recently got a old house in a village called Aylur next to Nemmara. I got the roof done and this is my second year and it has developed two cracks. Can you suggest the best method by which I can seal this leakage. This is a independent house, not attached with any village houses.
 
Thanking you
 
Col.A.R.Ganapathy

My reply

Concreted roof developing crack after two year  can only be due to improper reinforcement work and improper laying of  reinforcement and concrete.Nothing much can be done to improve structural stability of concrete roof at this stage.As a temporary solution,injecting of chemicals to seal gap can be tried.Check whether agencies doing similar work available near your place

To comment on exact nature of the problem,I will have to visit site.What I have written above is based on my assumptions on problem faced by you and it cannot be a proper professional reply to your problem

CHECKING UP PLAN PREPARED BY LOCAL MAN

QUOTE

  I will introduce myself and my dreams. I am a computer hardware and software business man in UAE, having very nominal profits. I believe the concept of Nalukettu and the landscape will always provide positive energy. Because of that reason I finalized with this concept.

I am staying in a village known as Karikodu around 30 km away from Ernakulum town and I have 1.5 acre property lying in 4 cuts.  From the main road, one panchayath road towards down. If we come through that my plot is on our right side along with the panchayath road. This road is from north to south. I am planning to built my home facing towards the road (east) and it should be little far away from the road.

There is a local designer done the site visit and made a plan according to that. But its much expensive and not come up to my  views.

I like one economic plan similar to below mentioned which I am sending just  for your reference.

Checkout below mentioned plan, which I created with my ideas. According to this plan there is 2 car Porch. And in the upstairs I need 2 bedroom and balcony on top of the side car porch. 

SHIJU

My reply

Your local person may not be quite qualified and experienced.Preparing best plan of the house is the most critical part of house building

Builders prepare plan of the house mainly considering profitability and such a plan also may not be suitable or the best possible for you

In the plan sent by you there is a bed room at South East.As per Vasthu it is not good.Stair case is provided with old fashioned arrangement of U shape which creates wastage of space and it also avoid stair case becoming a show piece in the house.Positioning of stair inside also will cause darkness in the area, As per Vasthu there cannot be toilet at south West.Considering all these a revised plan is required for you.

PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE FOR AFTER STRUCTURE WORK

QUOTE

I am a NRI, working in Saudi Arabia.

Currently I am constructing a 2500 Square Feet, two storied residential house at Changanacherry Town near Railway Station. I had given a contract to construct the structure only, and the work is progressing well and is expected to be completed by the 1st week of March 2011.

I am looking for a professional (architect/designer) who can assist me to accomplish the remaining work which are listed below.

How can you help me? are you interested? please let me know by return email as soon as possible explaining clearly your terms and conditions.

Shaji Rawother

Saudi Arabia

My reply

I can act as consultant for the works indicated by you and also provide our workmen if you require our direct involvement for the work

It will be good if I can visit the site and assess work already done and suggest improvements/modifications possible at this stage.
I will guide you on work to be done and will give you options based on latest trends and technology at minimum cost

House renovation in Kerala for US based NRI

QUOTE

Hi Mr.Thomas, accidentally saw your website and was impressed. I  have a question for you. I have a house in Mavelikara that belonged to my father and the house is  in good condition. However there is some work needed on the house. We are settled in U.S. and do not have reliable relatives in Kerala to guide us. So your website seemed like a Godsend. If we proceed with you are you able to see and estimate the amount of work and budget needed to upgrade the house. This house sits on a very small plot and my only goal is to make it livable for vacations without much upkeep. Do you have regional subcontractors or branches that can help you complete the work  in Mavelikara? Hoping for a reply,

Elizabeth

My reply

I cater to mostly NRIs who have practically no one to take care of their building related affairs and I keep them posted with info and pictures through blogs specifically created for a particular client and site

I will have to visit your house at Mavelikkara, take measurements,study in detail.Then I will advise you how we can go about it.I can send workers and experts from Cochin if required for doing the work

Queries and reply-House Design and Construction

NEW HOUSE DESIGN

QUOTE

I’m looking for a four bedroom (2+2 up&down) home plans & elevations:
 
-          All b/rooms are with attached bathroom+dressing area.
-          Kitchen + W/A
-          Family living with Dining area
-          Between 2200 to 2500 Sq.ft
-          Budget Rs. 30 to 35 lakh.
-          Location: at Tirur – Malappuram dist.
 
I would appreciate if you could send me a reply immediately in detail, since I’m planning to start the works from April/May 2011. 
 
Shameer Babu

My reply

House design and construction require professional assistance and guidance.Plan will have to be designed specifically suiting your plot,requirements and Vasthu factors related to your plot.Just any House plan and Elevation will not suit your requirements and plot dimensions and other parameters peculiar to your plot

HOUSE CONSTRUCTION AT KOLLAM

QUOTE

Dear Mr. Thomas,
Myself, Lal, accidently come to your website. Can you please tell me about your office location and address in Kollam if available. Dou you construct home in Kollam district for 15 lakhs budget home?
Regards
Lal

My reply

We do not have office at Kollam.In fact such an office is not required as our Cochin office can handle work at Kollam
We can do design of house and if you can get local contractor we can give complete details and monitoring of work.At present cost level you can probably construct a two bed room house with Rs.15 lakhs

BUILDING A HOUSE AS PER PICTURE SEEN

QUOTE

Dear Thomas,

My name is Jose Rathappillil, residing in Florida, US. I am thinking of building a home in my ancestral property, which is located at Kalloorkad, Kerala. The kind of house I have in mind is a two storied, traditional with modern amenities, with 8-10 bed rooms & about 5-6000 sft. This house will be situated at the north - eastern corner of a 5 acre property. The home site will have about .75 acres & facing north. This site has road frontage on its northern & eastern sides.

I will be visiting Kerala in early May & would like to meet you & discuss about this project. If you are interested please let me know. I am also attaching a picture of a house which I have found in the news paper. I very much like the design of this house.

My reply

Trying to build a house similar to picture of house you have seen in a website is fine.But what if you can bet a still better design and better house?

Your requirements,budget and plot conditions need not necessarily match with the picture of house you have seen.Even Vasthu factors will change from place to place

Hence it is always better to design your house from beginning after a site visit by me

CHECKING PLAN PREPARED

QUOTE

Dear Mr. Thomas,
 
I am constructing a house in Kannur Dt.  The drawings are attached.  Plot 1 is our land in the sketch.  Your kind advise on the plan will be highly appreciated.
 
Saleem P K

My reply

On a quick check,I can make following comments
1.Car porch at South East is not good as per Vasthu
2.Bed room at North east not good
3.Stair case are light is covered with that outside toilet
4.One bed room alone at Ground Floor is not good.Keep the bed room at south west side
5.Spiral stair case and court yard will add to cost
6.Court yard open only to Sit out portion.It should be visible to living and Dining
7.Toilet near bed too small with 150 cm width
8.Ladies room is too narrow.Make it bigger convert to Family Living area
9.With that large sit out you do not have to waste space in front of drawing room.Merge it with living
10.With modern modular Kitchen you do not need Store.Add it to Kitchen
11.Bed room size too small for such a house
12.Dining room is far away from Kitchen.It will create difficulty
Over all I think the plan is highly improper and will lead to wastage of your money if house constructed like this.

I can give you a revised plan which will reduce cost and increase utility

CHECKING UP PLAN AGAIN

QUOTE

Dear Thomas,
Please see the attached drawing and the plot details.
 
I want to keep the house under 3000Sqft , so there is no car porch ,
The porch is planned to be built later beside the house.
Also, I had wanted all rooms to have good sunlight and air flow.
 
Do you think, the plan is a good one or require changes ?
 
Aji Kumar

My reply

Plan require not simply few changes but total revision
Even though drawing quality is good professional design and Vasthu compliance are missing.For a three bed room house,you do not require 3000 sft.By properly redesigning the plan,you can get better design with lesser cost of construction

COST INDICATION REQUIRED

QUOTE

As i emailed u before we  need a 2000 sq feet house , includes  car porch , veranda , lounge, dining area , prayer room (small), modern kitchen, working kitchen, store room, veranda out side kitchen , 4 attached bed rooms -2 in each floor

Upstairs 2 bed  room , a family space, balcony  , could u please tell me how much is the cost if u will design and build a house for us, waiting for your reply

Resmi

My reply

All that requirement cannot be made within 2000 sft plinth area.You will have to go for at least 2500 sft
Cost can be worked out only after preparation of plan of the house
Where do you intend to construct house?
First step in construction of house  is preparation of Basic Plan of the house
Site visit  before preparing plan will be better though plan can be prepared if you can give complete measurements of all four sides of plot, directions of each side and positions of roads near plot.
If you are interested, I can give you charges for site visit and Basic Plan preparation fees