One of the Strangest Questions Ever — A Man Who Wanted to Buy Finishing Materials Before Even Buying His Land! With Eng. Said Alriyami

Finishing Tips

One of the Strangest Questions Ever — A Man Who Wanted to Buy Finishing Materials Before Even Buying His Land! With Eng. Said Alriyami

One of the Strangest Questions I Have Ever Been Asked

In my engineering career, I have fielded many questions — but some stop you completely, leaving you wondering: do you laugh, or do you answer?

This story is one of those moments — and I share it today because it carries a very important practical lesson for everyone who is thinking about building.

The Story — A Call I Didn't Expect

One day, someone called and got straight to the point:

"Engineer, I want to go to China."

I asked: "Why are you going to China?"

He said: "I want to bring all the finishing materials for my home — from A to Z."

I thought for a moment and responded positively: "Mashallah — so you have about three or four months left before the plastering is done and you're ready for finishing?"

His reply was stunning:

"No — I haven't even bought the land yet."

The Moment You Don't Know Whether to Laugh or Advise

This is one of those moments where an engineer stands between two choices: laugh, or guide. I chose to guide — because this person meant no harm. He was simply enthusiastic about his dream and wanted to move fast. But enthusiasm without order produces disaster.

I calmly began to put the picture together for him.

Why This Decision Is Completely Wrong

1. No Land = No Measurements

Every finishing material — ceramic tiles, windows, doors, kitchen units, marble — is tied to very specific dimensions extracted directly from the engineering drawings of the actual home.

Without land, there are no drawings. Without drawings, there are no measurements. Without measurements, anything you buy is a blind gamble.

2. The Designer Will Change Everything

Even if we assumed he had land — the architect can place a window on any wall, determine room dimensions in ways he never anticipated. A single design decision can render every pre-purchased material useless.

3. Trends Change Over Time

I asked him: "When are you planning to buy the land?"

He said: "I don't know."

This is the second major problem. Finishing material trends evolve constantly. What impresses you today in ceramics, décor, and lighting may look dated in a year or two — and by then you'll have it sitting in storage waiting.

4. Where Will You Store Everything?

Complete finishing materials for a two-storey home — ceramics, marble, doors, windows, lighting and more — require enormous storage space. Any extended storage period means:

Damage to some materials from moisture, compression, or poor storage conditions
Loss of warranty on products whose warranty begins from the purchase date, not the installation date
Ongoing storage costs that nobody factors into the calculation

5. The Market Changes — And So Do Prices

Some people believe buying materials early "protects them from price increases." The reality is that construction material prices fluctuate in both directions — what you buy today at a certain price may be cheaper next year, or there may be a superior product available at the same price.

How the Call Ended — and the Most Honest Admission

After explaining all of this, he said something genuinely moving:

"Honestly, if I hadn't called you, I would have gone, bought everything, and come back with my own estimated measurements."

I told him: "If you had done that, you would have discovered later that virtually nothing you brought would fit — because everything changes once the actual design is finalized. Whatever doesn't work, you throw into the sea — and I don't mean that as a figure of speech."

The Correct Order of Building Steps — What You Must Know

This story opens an important door. Many people skip fundamental steps out of enthusiasm. Here is the correct sequence:

Step	What to Do
1	Purchase the land and complete legal documentation
2	Commission a soil investigation report
3	Engage an architect and develop the drawings
4	Obtain the building permit
5	Select a contractor and begin structural works
6	Once structure is complete: develop interior design and confirm specifications
7	Purchase finishing materials after design approval and measurements are confirmed
8	Execute finishing works and hand over

Skipping any step is a guaranteed path toward loss.

The Lesson — Don't Hurry a Step That Hasn't Come Yet

Enthusiasm in building is a wonderful thing — but enthusiasm without a plan and proper sequencing is the project's greatest enemy.

Every step in construction has its right timing. Moving a later step ahead of an earlier one does not accelerate the project — it obstructs it and multiplies the cost.

"Don't buy shoes for a journey whose destination you haven't decided yet."

About Eng. Said Alriyami

Eng. Said bin Hamad Alriyami is an Omani entrepreneur and construction leader whose career began in the oil and gas fields of the Rub' al Khali desert. In 2004, he founded Afdal International Construction, which has delivered more than 3,000 projects across construction, luxury finishing, and interior design. Eng. Said is committed to guiding project owners with honesty and care — even when that guidance is as unexpected as it is necessary.

Start Your Journey in the Right Order

At the beginning of your building journey and want to know the correct steps in the right sequence? Contact Eng. Said Alriyami before taking any step at all.

📧 Email: Sriyami1978@gmail.com 📞 Phone: +96897070034