Building a House in Kenya There are some things you should do and shouldn’t do when building your home.
But most frequently, especially if it’s your first time building, you’re prone to mix things up. Building your own home is not simple, in any circumstances.
The procedure is laborious and needs careful planning. Here are five factors to think about before starting a home construction project in Kenya, as first reported in The Standard:
Calculate the total cost.
This should be taken into account first while building a house. Do you and your family actually need a house, or are you merely building to be like your peers? How many rooms are necessary? Which area would you choose to call home? What will the professional fees cost? What would the house’s style and dimensions be?
How much you spend on the project will depend on the answers to these questions. If this is done incorrectly, the information that follows will be of little benefit.
Site choice
Kenyans tend to view owning land as the best form of investment. However, research a property before spending money on it. Avoid riparian reserves, landfills, and flood-prone locations.
Check to see if the land has a public use designation. It is helpful to visit your chosen site and learn about any amenities like schools, hospitals, or shopping centers that are already there or are being considered. The actual owners or any proposed projects in the area can be found by conducting a search in the county planning office or lands register.
If a virgin region will be connected to a global sewer line, mains electricity, or trunk roads will also be shown by the search.
Do not only rely on the numerous media promotions for “plot maguta maguta” (smooth land deals).
These contain disclaimers that release such media firms from any obligations in the event that your original investment is unsuccessful. You are starting what could be the biggest project of your life, in any case.
Do not disregarded the experts.
Many would-be homeowners forego hiring experts such conveyance lawyers, architects, quantity surveyors, or licensed electricians in an effort to save money.
Long-term costs could be higher and any apparent savings could be lost if you do this, especially if the authorities find you.
Dan Murimi, a resident in Nairobi’s Langata estate, advises people not to rely on friends who might have built their homes without much assistance from specialists.
“I didn’t hire a lawyer when I bought my piece of land from a friend, but later discovered that the property was subject to some pending bank charges. Not to mention the interest that has accumulated over the past six years, I have since been attempting to clear with the bank.
Purchase materials from reliable vendors.
Although it may seem obvious, materials are by far the most expensive part of building a house. Some people purchase items in little amounts to attempt and save money. As an illustration, many homeowners purchase sand in wheelbarrows based on their current needs.
But it turns out to be expensive. Again, very few new homeowners are aware that even construction blocks are available in various qualities at various prices. “I had just noticed the building stones stacked along the roadside. The fact that the quality varies astonished me. Sand was similarly affected in this way.
George Aila, a different Langata resident, adds, “I assumed I could just buy the cheapest truckload but I soon learned that the grains of sand matter as far as bonding with cement is concerned.
To save money, it is best to acquire the supplies yourself rather than have your local craftsman buy them for you because he will probably add a premium to your final price. Additionally, hiring a reliable home finish dealer will save you a ton of time, effort, and money in this age of fakes.
Selecting your primary “fundi”
Most brand-new homeowners believe it is safe to ask their friends for recommendations. They wind up with someone with whom they have little in common or who might not share their views. Then, how do you choose the best master builder? Look into regional organizations of licensed contractors.
This will let you have a point of reference for potential arbitration should ethical difficulties emerge. Next, evaluate the quality of the contractor’s earlier completed work.
Once you’re both on board, create a binding contract. The agreement should specify deadlines for various project phases, among other things.
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