How to build an inexpensive house in Kenya

In Kenya, building a house costs an arm and a leg. It is important, however, to note that the cost may vary from town to town and is dependent on the design of the house and the cost of building materials used.

Disadvantage of buying a ready-made house.

1. Limited Customization: Ready-made houses often come with fixed designs and layouts, limiting your ability to customize the property to your specific preferences.
2. Lack of Personalization: You may not be able to incorporate personal design choices, resulting in a home that may not reflect your unique style or needs.
3. Potential for Hidden Issues: Existing homes may have hidden problems or maintenance issues that are not immediately apparent, leading to unexpected repair costs.
4. Outdated Features: Older ready-made houses may have outdated fixtures, appliances, and technology, which could require costly upgrades.
5. Less Energy Efficiency: Older homes may not be as energy-efficient as newer constructions, leading to higher utility bills and environmental concerns.
6. Location Restrictions: You might be limited in your choice of location and neighborhood when buying an existing home, as the best areas may not have available properties.
7. Renovation Costs: If the house doesn't meet your requirements, you may need to invest in extensive renovations, which can be time-consuming and expensive.
8. Home Inspection Risks: Even with an inspection, unforeseen problems may arise after purchase, leading to unexpected expenses.
9. Competitive Bidding: In competitive markets, ready-made houses may require bidding wars, driving up the purchase price.
10. Limited Warranty: Older homes may not come with the same warranties or guarantees as new construction, leaving you responsible for any repairs or replacements.

It's important to carefully consider these disadvantages when deciding whether to purchase a ready-made house or explore other options, such as building a custom home.

That is why most people prefer building their own from the ground up. So, how do you build cheaply in Kenya? This is a guide on how you can build a low-cost house without having to compromise on quality, safety for your family, or their comfort.

The average cost of building a house in Kenya: As mentioned, the average cost of building a house varies from town to town.

It also depends on:

1.  The typography of land
2. The size of the house you seek to build.
3.  Material specification and
4.  The design of the house

Assume that person A and B are building a 3-bedroom house, the design is the same, the materials used are the same, and the only difference is that a is building the house in Kamulu, and B is building in Nakuru.

Now, it would cost A way less than it would for B to construct the house. This is because most of the construction materials needed can be found around the area.

When budgeting for your new home, you need to consider the following to come up with an inexpensive budget for the project:

• What size and design of the house are you looking for? Remember, the more the square footage, the more it is going to cost you.
• What will it cost per square footage? You can do this by benchmarking houses similar to the one you seek to build. Get the total value used, subtract the cost of land, and divide the balance by the square footage of the house.
• What kinds of external and internal features do you want? To build cheaply in Kenya, you might want to reduce the number of doors and windows.
• What types of finishes are you looking for? Generally, it will cost approximately 30,000 Ksh per square meter for average finishing and about 65,000 Ksh for high-quality finishes.

How to build an inexpensive house in Kenya: So, how do you build cheaply in Kenya where the cost of almost everything seems to be skyrocketing daily? It is not that hard, really. Most people are tuned to believe that cheap is synonymous with low quality. I beg to differ; cheap does not in any way mean that the house will be of low quality. This is simply a guide on how you can cut down on all construction inputs to bring the cost of your house down without compromising on its quality. To build cheaply in Kenya, you will need to:

1. Buy a surveyed and bounded plot of land. A surveyed and bounded plot set aside for construction is what is called a building lot. It will be cheaper to build on an economical building lot that does not require you to pay public services or other costs such as excavating, clearing bushes, or fixing extended drainage.
2. Go for a simple design. When looking to build cheap, I'd recommend that you go for a simple house plan. Depending on the size of your land, you can choose to go for a Bungalow or Maisonette. Simple floor plans are easy and cheap to construct. Also, avoid intricate rooflines.
3. Consider the size of the house. As already mentioned, the cost of building a house will vary with the size of the house. To build a cheap house, go for less square footage that is easy to build and cheap to maintain.
4. Go for a multi-story house. Going tall is another good way to build a house cheaply in Kenya. This type of house can have the same amount of living space; the catch is the foundation and the roof will be much smaller.
5. Instead of wood cabinets, go for open shelves. Though wood finishes may appear more elegant, you can save a lot by going for open shelves or stainless steel cabinets. Incorporate frosted glass doors to spice things up.
6. Recycling. When constructing, you do not have to buy all the materials you need. A cheap and more affordable way is to recycle. You can also go for second-hand construction materials that are cheap and of good quality.