Cabaran Membina Rumah Sendiri

Nazir Al-Lawasi | 

Membina rumah sendiri di atas tanah sendiri adalah projek yang sangat bermakna, tetapi ia juga penuh dengan cabaran besar, terutamanya jika anda melantik kontraktor kecil dan mengurus sendiri.

Berikut adalah senarai cabaran utama yang mungkin anda hadapi.

1. Cabaran Kewangan & Bajet

"Lobang Gelap" pada Bajet: Hampir semua projek bina rumah melebihi bajet. Keadaan tapak tidak dijangka (batu, tanah lembut), kenaikan harga bahan, perubahan pesanan (change order), dan keinginan untuk bahan yang lebih berkualiti daripada yang dibajetkan akan menambah kos.

Pengurusan Aliran Tunai: Bayaran kepada kontraktor mengikut peringkat kemajuan kerja. Anda mesti ada tunai siap pada setiap peringkat. Kelewatan pembiayaan akan memberhentikan projek.

Kos Tersembunyi & Kos Lain: Kos seperti yuran permit, ujian tanah, sambungan utiliti sementara, insurans pembinaan, landskap dan pendawaian pagar sering terlupa. Ia boleh menambah 10-20% kepada bajet asal.

2. Cabaran Pengurusan & Kontraktor

Kontraktor Kecil: Pedang Bermata Dua: Mesra dan fleksibel, tetapi sistem dan kapasiti mereka mungkin terhad. Jika mereka sakit, ada urusan keluarga, atau ambil projek lain, kerja anda boleh terbengkalai berminggu-minggu.

Pertambahan Skop & Komunikasi Yang Lemah: "Dari A-Z" boleh ditafsir berbeza. Pembersihan tapak termasuk? Pembersihan akhir? Kontrak mesti TERPERINCI (spesifikasi setiap bahan: jenama, model, gred). Bahasa kabur ("pili gred kontraktor") membawa kepada konflik.

Kawalan Kualiti & Pemantauan: Melainkan anda profesional, anda mungkin tidak tahu apa yang perlu diperiksa. Adakah tetulang jaraknya betul? Adakah vapor barrier dipasang dengan betul? Kerja yang lemah tersembunyi di dalam dinding akan jadi masalah besar kelak.

Penyelarasan Sub-Kontraktor: Kontraktor anda menguruskan tukang paip, elektrik, bumbung dll. Jika jadual mereka lewat, ia memberi kesan domino. Kehadiran anda di tapak kadang-kadang bermakna anda yang akan perasan kelewatan ini dan perlu mendesak untuk jadual semula.

3. Cabaran Reka Bentuk & Membuat Keputusan

"Decision Fatigue" (Kepenatan Buat Keputusan): Anda perlu membuat beratus-ratus keputusan, selalunya di bawah tekanan: jubin, warna grout, jenis suis, tombol pintu, lokasi soket elektrik dan lain-lain. Ini amat memenatkan mental.

Pelan Tidak Lengkap & Perubahan: Walaupun pelan bagus, masih ada kekaburan. Mengetahui ada pertembungan antara saluran udara dan rasuk di tapak memerlukan change order segera (yang makan masa dan duit). Menukar fikiran tentang dinding atau tingkap selepas kerja bermula adalah amat mahal.

Pematuhan Kod & Permit: Berurusan dengan jabatan bangunan, undang-undang zon dan pemeriksaan adalah kerja sepenuh masa. Kontraktor anda patut uruskan ini, tetapi anda tetap bertanggungjawab. Pemeriksaan gagal sebabkan kelewatan.

4. Cabaran Logistik & Emosi

Tekanan Melampau & Ketegangan Hubungan: Tekanan kewangan, masalah berterusan, dan hakikat hidup dalam keadaan bersepah adalah sangat stres. Ia boleh tegangkan hubungan suami isteri dan keluarga.

Penyumbang Masa: Ia akan jadi kerja separuh atau sepenuh masa. Mencari bahan, berjumpa pemeriksa, semak invois dan buat keputusan akan habiskan berjam-jam setiap minggu.

Tempat Tinggal Sementara: Anda mungkin masih perlu bayar sewa/hutang rumah semasa sambil membayar ansuran pinjaman pembinaan. Beban kewangan berganda ini boleh berlanjutan jika projek lewat.

5. Cabaran Teknikal & Tapak

Keadaan Tapak Tidak Dijangka: Punca utama bajet meletup. Mengalami bongkah batu ketika menggali, tanah lembut perlukan asas mahal (cerucuk), atau masalah air tidak dijangka.

Penghantaran & Penyimpanan Bahan: Bahan boleh lewat, back-order, atau dihantar salah. Ia juga perlu disimpan dengan selamat (dari cuaca dan kecurian). Siapa bertanggungjawab?

Kelewatan Cuaca: Hujan, panas terik atau banjir boleh hentikan kerja berhari-hari, melambatkan jadual.

Cadangan Penting Untuk Kurangkan Cabaran:

Kontrak adalah "Kitab Suci" Anda: JANGAN guna kontrak satu muka surat sahaja. Guna kontrak terperinci yang termasuk: Skop Kerja, Jadual Bayaran (ikut peringkat kemajuan, bukan masa), Spesifikasi Terperinci, Proses Change Order, Maklumat Jaminan, dan Lien Release (pelepasan lien).

Upah Profesional untuk Semak Pelan: Bayar arkitek atau pereka untuk beberapa jam semak pelan dan spesifikasi kontrak anda. Mereka boleh nampak kekaburan yang akan jadi mahal.

Bajetkan untuk Perkara Tidak Dijangka: Tambah peruntukan kontigensi minimum 15-20% daripada jumlah bajet. Jangan gunakannya kecuali untuk masalah tidak dijangka, bukan untuk perubahan keinginan.

Dapatkan Semua dalam Tulisan: Setiap perubahan, setiap penjelasan, setiap kelulusan. Guna email/mesej untuk rekod. Elak arahan lisan.

Adakan Mesyuarat Tapak Formal: Walaupun dengan kontraktor kecil, adakan mesyuarat mingguan 15 minit untuk semak kemajuan, langkah seterusnya dan keputusan tertunggak.

Pertimbangkan Pemeriksa Pihak Ketiga: Untuk peringkat kritikal (asas sebelum tuang, framing, penebat), upah pemeriksa sendiri untuk beberapa jam boleh beri ketenangan dan tangkap kesilapan mahal.

Kesimpulan: Membina rumah sendiri adalah maraton, bukan pecut. Kejayaan anda kurang bergantung pada pengetahuan pembinaan, lebih pada pengurusan projek, komunikasi dan disiplin kewangan anda. Kesabaran, mental kuat dan perancangan teliti adalah alat terpenting anda.

Membina rumah sendiri adalah satu pengalaman yang amat berbaloi — ia bukan sekadar sebuah bangunan, tapi kenyataan impian, titik kenangan, dan warisan untuk keluarga

Stage One - House with Economic Value

Nazir Al-Lawasi - 

Construction of House with Economic Value

Constructing a house involves four main phases: pre-construction (planning/permits), foundation, framing, and finishing. Key stages include site preparation, pouring the foundation, structural framing, installing MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), insulation, drywall, and final interior/exterior finishes. The entire process concludes with a final inspection and walkthrough. 

1. Pre-Construction & Site Prep 

*Planning & Permits: Design finalization, budget estimation

At the initially stage -prepare a Floor Plan based your budget. For instant, if your budget cost of construction is RM120.00 psf, hence the cost of 700 sf will cost you RM84,000. Once finalised, sent the Floor Plan to your architect for the proper plan and drawing.

If you have no ready contractor- engage minimun of 2 contractors to quote the price - of course with the same package or BQ. In my case - I have my ready-contractor - who, last year, constructed my first house on the same land.

I don't intend to acquire permit from local authority bcos I’m construction a kampung house on my private land.

*Site Prep: 

Two (2) months prior to starting the construction I started clearing trees, leveling the ground, and surveying the plot. Since the site is on the small hill, I need to dumped away some of the excess soil

Clearing and levelling

After lavelling...

Site Plotting

Footing Works

02 February 2026 | Digging

Digging for the foundation and installing the iron bar

03 February 2026 | Foundation 

Doing the excavation, installing footings, pouring concrete for a slab. Basement and waterproofing will be done once the raised-up floor is ready. Can be seen the 6ft septic tank is ready

House Plan with Economic Value to Owner

From Home to Income Source: The Economic House

| by Nazir Al-Lawasi|

 

The core idea is to shift the perspective of a house from being solely a personal expense to an income-generating asset. By intentionally designing a house plan with a dedicated, private suite, you transform part of your living space into a potential business unit. 

I design where a private "Suite Room" (17ft x 10ft, with its own bathroom) is included specifically to be rented out as a homestay. A key feature for privacy and functionality is the use of a separate external door for the tenant, while the internal door connecting to the main house is closed during rental periods. This allows the homeowner to retain their private space in Bedroom 1 and Bedroom 2, making the concept ideal for smaller families. 

The underlying principle of "Aesthetic Economy Concept," is about blending elegance with financial function. It’s a design philosophy where the home’s layout actively contributes to the owner's financial well-being, making the property both beautiful and economically productive. 

The room and house sizes can be adapted to your specific land, needs, and budget, making the concept flexible.

The features and amenities are:-

• Length: 30 ft
• Elevated Floor - 3 feet from the ground
• Total 2 bathrooms
• Total 3 rooms
• Kitchen, dining place at the hall
• 3 units of aircon- Ready the pipes & wiring
• Rain Water Harvesting System (RWHS) 
• CCTV (for external only)
• External floodlight
• Garden light

The tanks for RWHS will be centralised, which will give alternative supply of water to the plants and swimming pool by way of auto-pump. The pipes from each house will be going underground. 

Construction of the concept is underway. Will update you in this blog

Dari Depan

Dari Tepi

18 - Finding Comfort @Hospital Putrajaya

15 April 2025 | Putrajaya Hospital

Finding Comfort in Care: A Grateful Reflection on My Stay at Hospital Putrajaya

 My recent experience at Hospital Putrajaya began with an intense, 8-hour stint in the Emergency Ward – a period filled with understandable anxiety and discomfort. While the wait was undeniably long, it marked the beginning of a journey where the quality of care truly shone. Following observation, I was admitted to the ward, and it was during this time that Hospital Putrajaya revealed its strengths, leaving me profoundly grateful.

From the moment I transitioned from the bustling emergency area to the ward, one aspect became overwhelmingly clear: the hospital staff were exceptional. Their professionalism was evident in every interaction, but it was their consistent friendliness and genuine empathy that truly made a difference. Whether it was doctors explaining procedures, healthcare assistants ensuring comfort, or administrators managing details, each person approached their duties with a kindness that alleviated the inherent stress of being a patient. They didn't just treat the condition; they cared for the person.

Another aspect that significantly contributed to my well-being was the food service. Meals were consistently well-packed, hygienic, and, importantly, carefully tailored to my specific dietary needs as a patient. This attention to detail wasn't just about sustenance; it demonstrated a holistic approach to recovery, ensuring nutrition supported the medical care. Knowing my dietary requirements were understood and met provided both physical comfort and peace of mind.

Beyond the excellent clinical care, the warmth of human connection played a vital role in my recovery. I am deeply indebted to my family and friends who took the time to visit me during my stay. Their presence was a powerful tonic, lifting my spirits and reminding me of the world outside the hospital walls. This support network meant everything.

The lengths some went to were particularly touching. Special mention must go to family members who travelled a significant distance – all the way from Lawas, Sarawak – Cikgu Nurai and her husband, Cikgu Sinin.  Bro Reduan Hamdan from Kuching. Your journey were  a remarkable gesture of love and support that I will never forget. Closer to home, family friends across the Lembah Klang area also made the effort to visit, bringing cheer and reassurance during those days. To each and every one of you who came, called, or sent messages – thank you. Your kindness was a crucial part of my healing.

Finally, while the entire medical team deserves praise, the nurses on the ward were my constant pillars of support. Their tireless dedication, gentle care, and reassuring presence were a daily comfort. Though I couldn't possibly remember every name among the many wonderful nurses who attended to me, a few stand out: Chyrill Sherra, Linda, Jiwin, Subir, Fatin and Juhisah. To these individuals, and to all the nurses whose names escape me now but whose care I vividly remember – thank you very much. You embody the compassion and skill that make nursing such a noble profession. You were the calming, capable hands guiding me through each day and night.