how to build a house affordably in Kenya in 2024?

Building a Cost-Effective House in Kenya: Your Comprehensive Guide

Curious about how to build a house affordably in Kenya in 2024? Costs vary by location and type. Whether ready-made or from scratch, this guide helps craft your dream space.

Get a cheap house plan now. In Nairobi, just like in many big towns, most people usually rent their homes. However, quite a few people like the idea of having their own place for the long term.

You can own a house in two ways: either buy one that’s already built or build one yourself.

Pros and Cons of a Ready-Made House in Kenya

1. Limited Customization: These houses come with fixed designs, making it hard to personalize them according to your preferences.
2. Lack of Personalization: Your unique style or needs might not be reflected in the house due to a lack of personal design choices.
3. Potential for Hidden Issues: Existing homes may have hidden problems, leading to unexpected repair costs.
4. Outdated Features: Older ready-made houses may have outdated fixtures, appliances, and technology, requiring costly upgrades.
5. Less Energy Efficiency: Older homes may not be as energy-efficient, resulting in higher utility bills and environmental concerns.
6. Location Restrictions: Your choice of location and neighborhood may be limited when buying an existing home.
7. Renovation Costs: Extensive renovations may be necessary, 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 involve bidding wars, increasing the purchase price.
10. Limited Warranty: Older homes may lack the warranties or guarantees that come with new construction, making you responsible for repairs or replacements.

Considering these disadvantages is crucial when deciding between purchasing a ready-made house and exploring alternatives, like building a custom home.

That’s why many prefer building from the ground up. Now, how can you build affordably in Kenya? This guide provides insights into constructing a low-cost house without compromising quality, safety, or comfort for your family.

The average cost of building a house in Kenya varies based on factors such as town, land typography, house size, material specification, and design. For example, if person A and B are building identical 3-bedroom houses, A in Kakamega and B in Naromoru, A’s construction cost is likely to be lower due to local material availability.

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When planning your budget for a new home, think about the following to make sure it’s not too expensive:

1. What size and design do you want? Remember, the bigger the house, the more it will cost.
2. How much does it cost per square foot? You can figure this out by looking at similar houses. Take the total cost, subtract the land cost, and divide the rest by the house’s square footage.
3. What features do you want inside and outside? In Kenya, to save money, consider having fewer doors and windows.
4. What kind of finishes do you like? On average, it’s around 35,000 Ksh per square meter for regular finishes and about 80,000 Ksh for high-quality finishes.

How to build a house affordably in Kenya in 2024?

So, how do you build a house affordably in Kenya where the cost of almost everything seems to be going up every day? It’s not that difficult, really. Many people think that cheap means low quality. I disagree; cheap doesn’t mean the house will be of low quality. This is just a guide on how you can reduce all construction costs to lower your house’s overall cost without compromising its quality. To build affordably in Kenya, follow these steps:

1. Buy a surveyed and bounded plot of land: This is called a building lot. It’s cheaper to build on an economical building lot that doesn’t require extra costs like public services or tasks such as excavating, clearing bushes, or fixing extended drainage.
2. Go for a simple design: When aiming to build affordably, I suggest choosing a simple house plan. Depending on your land’s size, you can opt for a Bungalow or Maisonette. Simple floor plans are easy and inexpensive to construct. Also, avoid complex rooflines.
3. Consider the size of the house: As mentioned, the cost of building varies with the house’s size. To build an affordable house, go for less square footage that is easy to build and inexpensive to maintain.
4. Go for a multi-story house: Building vertically is another good way to construct a house inexpensively in Kenya. This type of house can have the same amount of living space; the trick is the foundation and the roof will be much smaller.
5. Choose open shelves over wood cabinets: While wood finishes may seem more elegant, you can save a lot by opting for open shelves or stainless steel cabinets. Add frosted glass doors to add a touch of style.
6. Recycling: When constructing, you don’t 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 inexpensive and of good quality.

FAQs – Building a house affordably in Kenya in 2024