Cost of construction in Kenya a topic close to the hearts of many. Building your own home is one of the most rewarding tasks you can ever undertake, despite the stresses that come with it. As it is with everything else in life, overcoming challenges is the spice of life.

Good research, proper planning and execution of those plans will lead to a successful cost effective construction project.Know when to engage professionals and when to undertake tasks yourself. Talk to others who have built and seek to learn as much as possible before embarking on a construction project.

Cost of Construction in KenyaCost of Construction in Kenya – How to Save at Different Stages

·         Foundation

The foundation of a house is one of the most important aspects that guarantees a successful build. The foundation will cost just about 20% of the cost of construction and you should strive to get this right because mistakes at this level are hard to rectify.

The foundation not only bears the load of the house and offer strong support against earth quakes and tremors, but it also separates the structure from underground moisture.

Another major consideration for the foundation is the terrain of the land, where sloped land presents more challenges to be overcome than flat terrain.

The type of soil will also determine the kind of foundation used. For example black cotton soil must all be scooped out until rock level. Red soil is considered the easiest to work with. The soil will determine the depth of the trenches dug as well as the kind of re-enforcement to be used.

·         Roof

This is yet another major cost of a construction project. The main factors that affect the cost of roofing are the pitch of the roof, the materials, prevailing weather conditions and the design of the roof.

You can save some money here by going for a simple, uncomplicated roof design. Ensure that your roof is also low pitch. Steep roofs use more material and are more complicated and expensive to install. Flat roofs on the other hand are an added slab that also requires very elaborate and expensive water proofing.

·         Walls

You will be constructing both your interior and exterior walls. For your external walls, consider the kind of stone you will use.

Bush hammered stone tends to be more expensive that machine cut stone. Stabilized soil blocks are also a more effective approach for your walls. Ready-made expanded polystyrene blocks can also cost less but it is important to get a costing so that you can compare and ascertain the exact savings you can make.

For internal walls, one of the best approaches is to reduce the need for walls in the first place by going for an open plan design.

You can easily replace perimeter walls with thick plant hedges that are cheaper and very attractive when well maintained.

·         Interior Finishes

This is where the rubber meets the road when it comes to construction and related costs. Wall treatment, flooring options, ceiling finishes as well choice of cabinetry and bathrooms finishes will affect the final cost of construction. Stick to your budget but insist on quality workmanship.

·         Exterior Finishes

Simple low maintenance exteriors are the best. There are a lot of options in terms of textured paint which can be paired with raw stone that requires little added work on it. Take advantage of nature and use plants and flowers to create a stunning external finish.

Cost of Construction in Kenya – Lower Cost High Quality

Keep in mind that material sourcing and usage is key in a successful construction project. Bulk purchases from the right supply will guarantee better prices. Proper utilization of materials to avoid wastage is just as important. Consider creative recycling of materials especially when it comes to interior and exterior design.

Overall, a smaller house will cost you less in all these aspects.You have your entire life to keep sprucing up your home both internally and externally and a world of simple and creative home décor ideas to work with. Build smaller and incorporate clever use of space to lower the cost of construction in Kenya and all over the world.

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