Have you noticed that nails finish faster on site these days? You budget 3 bags, yet before you know it, you are buying the 4th or 5th bag. Let me explain why.
Recently, I projected 3 bags of nails for the formwork of a lintel. By the time we reached the last stage, we had used 4 and a half bags. My client was worried, thinking the carpenter was wasting nails. But I knew the real problem wasn’t on site. It was in the market.
I followed him to the seller. When the woman brought out a bag of 3-inch nails, I asked her to weigh it. She froze. And for good reason. The “full” bag weighed only 28kg instead of the standard 43kg. That’s a shocking 15kg shortfall. Yet it was sold as if it was complete.
Now you understand why nails finish quickly. You are not getting what you paid for.
Here’s the bigger picture:
• The building materials market has turned into a jungle.
• Many sellers repackage incomplete materials and sell them as full.
• Clients think they are buying cheap, but in the end, they spend more.
How it works:
A bag of nails that should be 43kg is repacked into 28–30kg. The seller reduces the price by 5–10% to make it look like a bargain. But you will need to buy extra bags to finish your project. So instead of saving money, you spend more.
Now let me balance this: some contractors inflate prices or exaggerate materials. But not all of us. Some of us are building our name on integrity, trust, and results.
Value points for every client:
• Always buy materials with a professional who knows the market.
• Don’t chase “cheap deals” blindly, they often cost you more.
• Work with contractors who are transparent. They protect both your project and your budget.
Nigeria’s construction market is tricky, but when you meet a professional who stands for honesty, support him. Pay him well. Trust him to manage your project.
At the end of the day, building is not only about blocks and cement. It is about vigilance, trust, and smart decisions.
Ejiofor Chibueze Charles (Arc)
M.A.D ARCHITECTS
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