Owning a house is everyone’s dream, but it comes with a cost. This is the fact that has locked many from owning decent homes. However, the clever still find ways to build their dream house while keeping costs low.

By using technology, Musa Moy’yo cut the construction cost of his three-bedroom en-suite house by almost half. Musa used precast concrete panels instead of bricks saving Sh 2 million on the house that would have cost him Sh5 million.

His expenses include architectural drawing (Sh 50,000), the foundation (Sh 500,000), and Sh 600,000 for the walling. According to him, using precast concrete was not only cost-effective but also saved construction time.

Cyrus Muhati: Cost breakdown of building my Sh. 4.8 million, 3-bedroom all en-suite mansion

The structures are considered strong and more durable against acid attack and corrosion, meaning minimal maintenance is required. They have a lifespan of between 50 and 100 years.

“We finished the walling in two and half days saving labor and cost of materials like plaster. Another advantage is that houses built with blocks need around a month to dry before one can move in. With precast panels, the home is ready for occupation once complete.” He told Tuko.

He noted that many workers are not conversant with the technology, meaning a lot of supervision is required to avoid faulty connections, which may lead to water leakage and failed sound insulation.

This is how you can build your house in Kenya cheaply

“Most of the labor force are not conversant with working with the panels. They might find challenges fitting cabinets and door frames and make small mistakes. Another disadvantage is that the panels are not as strong as houses built with machine-cut stones.”

To cut on roofing costs, Musa used a hidden roof, whose cost was Sh400,000, instead of the traditional pitched design that would have cost him Sh 900,000.

Musa advised anyone intending to construct a house to first seek guidance from homeowners so as to avoid spending more.

“Also, add around Sh 200,000 to your budget catering for miscellaneous or unseen expenses. Secondly, choose your labor force carefully,’’ he said.