Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Abstract:
The rate of deterioration and dilapidation of housing stock in Lagos, Nigeria is appalling and increasing slum areas which have become contemporary social problem in the state. The paper seeks to assess the level of practice of do-it-yourself (DIY) maintenance approaches to housing improvement in Lagos state. In the process the study identified the level of practice within the study area .To achieve the objective, the study adopted research survey technique. A total of 300 structured questionnaires were used for data collection. The survey covered 300 buildings which was selected from fifteen (15) local government areas in Lagos state based on stratified random sampling technique. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings of the study revealed that, the level of the practice of do-it-yourself (DIY) maintenance is low compared to other maintenance outsourcing options. Cleaning of drainage, cutting of grass, clearing of blocked drains, replacement of faulty electrical sockets, improved door security lighting and internal space re-arrangement are the most predominant service being carried out with the system. The low participation of end-users in maintaining their homes and environment has led to the appalling state of housing in the State. The implementation of the system will assist in retaining the performance of buildings in the study areas in terms of functionality, economical and social values.

Keywords: building, do-it-yourself (DIY), housing, maintenance, outsourcing.

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