Why one would rather build a house than buy a complete one

I plan to realise my dream to own a home within the next three years.  I have learnt to accept that I am not able to do so via a mortgage, thanks to the ever increasing interest rates! Another reality is that I cannot go the off plan way where I purchase a house plan then pay installments as the developer constructs following recent reports of fraud where innocent buyers bought plans that were never completed nor refunded. My easier route is to buy a plot using my Sacco savings, construct a mabati (makeshift) house that I can move in as I build my house using my monthly income in bits. Is this possible.

Sam, Nairobi

It is possible to construct a house using your monthly salary or income from other sources as, in most occasions, it is eventually far much cheaper compared to buying a complete house.

Ready made houses may be stress free as you simply buy and move in.They, however, are generally expensive and deny the owner control over the design and conditions surrounding the property.

The cost of building from scratch varies depending on several factors, ranging from the topography of land, size of the house, specifications of the materials and finishing design.

Home owners who build their own houses are able to fit in their own budgets, including constructing in phases as agreed with your professional fundi.

It is important to consider adopting a simple house design towards saving on costs. Intricate house plans are costly.  

A good fundi will also advise you to go for roof lines that are simple and short as complex and steep roofs means increased costs. It is also important to use modern housing technologies like prefabricated panels which reduce the amounts of construction materials, labour and time taken before completion.

Interlocking bricks is another cost-effective option as it requires less cement to hold them together and less labour, compared to bricks.

More money can also be saved on construction materials, especially if you go and buy them yourself instead of sending the fundi. With patience, this may ensure the best bargain without compromising on quality. There are several cases where fundis work in cahoots with hardware staff or suppliers to con you by inflating prices. A bag of cement that goes for Sh600 can be sold to you at Sh750.

Furthermore, knowing how Nairobi is, falsified receipts are not hard to get. There are also several cases where the fundi you send to buy materials opts for substandard ones to pocket the difference. Close supervision is important, especially when your agreement with the fundis is to pay them per day.

-       Harold Ayodo is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya