Building a home is easily the most exciting and rewarding endeavor for anyone to undertake.
However, it can be a stressful process especially for first-timers who do not know the procedure to follow.
To help you out, here is a summary of the steps to follow when building a home in Kenya:
1. Identify an architect (who will be the lead consultant)
2. Come up with a design brief (discuss this with the architect)
3. Conduct a site visit together with the architect. This is important as site features may determine/influence overall design
4. Come up with design upon consultation and input from both parties
5. Approve design after which architect picks other consultants (Engineers,surveyors,contractors etc)
6. Quantity surveyor produces bill of quantities (gives cost estimate of construction according to design) after input from consultants
7. After your assent of the above take the drawings to city/county council for approval
8. Once approved, give your architect the go-ahead to send contractor to the site so as to commence construction
9. Have the architect to pay site visits during construction to ensure the work is being carried out according to plan or to make necessary changes
10. Invite city/council officers to approve your building upon completion of construction – this rarely happens.
The cost estimates for residential construction ranges from Ksh 25,000.00-Ksh 35,000.00 per square metre depending on the finishes.
