Renting a house has become the most expensive thing today, and people are opting to build their own houses.
While cost has, over the years been the biggest hindrance to home ownership, new technologies and practices are making construction less expensive and faster than ever before.
Some of the tricks builders are employing to keep costs low include the use of hidden roofs and precast panels instead of brick walls. This article focuses on the cost breakdown of a 4-bedroom house built in Nairobi.
According to Business This Day, the total cost of the bungalow is Ksh2.6 million. The owner used a flat roof saving on timber costs.
His total construction cost was estimated at Ksh 2.9 million, but he used Ksh 2.6 million, saving Ksh355,597. The house took 3 months to complete.
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Below is how he spent the Ksh 2.6 million to build the house:
Foundation
Estimated cost          =Sh743,630
Actual Cost             =Sh790,290
Walling
Estimated cost         =Sh280,178
Actual cost             =Sh269,209
DeckingÂ
Estimated cost=Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â =Sh636,400
Actual cost             =Sh685,745
First floor walling 2
Estimated cost          = Sh310, 178
Actual cost             = Sh296, 400
Slab
Estimated cost cost     = Sh636,400
Actual cost             = Sh558,545
Stair roof and Parapet wall
Estimated cost          = Sh180,000
Windows and doors
Estimated cost          = Sh226,000
Total Estimated cost    = 2,982,786
Total Actual cost = 2,627,189
Deviation                =355,597
