Maximizing Small Plot Spaces for Affordable Housing in Kenya
In Kenya, land scarcity and rising property prices in urban centers such as Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu have made building affordable housing increasingly challenging. However, innovative design strategies and smart construction approaches enable homeowners to maximize small plots efficiently. This article provides an in-depth look at practical techniques, regulations, and trends to build comfortable, cost-effective […]
Why the “Fundi You Know” Might Be the Most Expensive Choice You Make
Every Kenyan knows someone who “knows a good fundi.” Maybe it’s your cousin’s friend from ushago, or a guy who once did a great paint job in your neighbour’s flat. He’s available, affordable, and you feel like you’re helping a brother out. Until your doors won’t close properly. Your tiles start popping. Your house begins […]
Rainwater Harvesting Systems for Kenyan Homes: A Sustainable Water Solution
Water scarcity is a pressing issue across Kenya, especially during dry seasons when water rationing becomes common in Nairobi, Machakos, and other counties. Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is emerging as a smart, eco-friendly, and cost-effective solution that homeowners across urban and rural areas are adopting to reduce dependency on municipal supplies and secure reliable water access. […]
Why Construction Timing in Kenya Can Make or Break Your Entire Budget
Many people assume that as long as you have money and approvals, you can start building. Technically true. But if you’re building in Kenya and ignoring the calendar, you’re not just risking delays—you’re flirting with budget blowouts, structural flaws, and endless site frustrations. Let’s break it down. Heads-up: Kenya’s seasons don’t just affect crops—they affect […]
Why Your ‘Plot Size’ Might Be Lying to You—and What You Should Verify Before You Build
You buy a plot in Ruai or Kitengela, and you’re excited. You’ve been told it’s 50 by 100. Your mind races: two bedrooms here, a backyard there, maybe even a car shade. The plan is ready. The fundi is on standby. Then a surveyor steps in—and breaks your heart. The land you thought was 50 […]
The Price of Ignoring Professional Design: Why ‘Just Draw Me a Simple Plan’ Ends in Tears
In Kenya, when a friend says they’re about to build, the next thing they’ll probably say is, “Natafuta mtu tu anidrawie ka-plan.” Sounds simple, right? Just a small sketch, a two-bedroom layout, maybe a kitchen outside—it doesn’t need to be fancy. But what starts as a shortcut often ends in disaster. “Just draw me a […]
How Poor Site Supervision Leads to Millions in Wasted Materials (and How to Stop It)
Picture this: you walk onto your building site after a few days away. Sand you paid for has disappeared. Steel bars are scattered and bent. The tiles you imported? Cracked—because they were dumped carelessly in the rain. This isn’t an accident. It’s a consequence of poor site supervision. It happens all the time in Kenya. […]
Why Your Fundi Isn’t a Project Manager—and the Costly Difference You Should Know
In Kenya, we love a good fundi. They build our homes, fix our walls, install our tiles, and patch up our roofs. They’re skilled, hardworking, and resourceful. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: most fundis aren’t project managers—and asking them to be one is setting yourself (and your project) up for costly chaos. A fundi’s job […]
The Hidden Costs of Building in Kenya That No One Talks About (But You’ll Pay Anyway)
Building your own home in Kenya is a dream many pursue—but few anticipate just how many “invisible” costs come crawling in once construction begins. The figures you scribbled in your notebook or entered into that Excel sheet? They probably only reflect about 70% of what you’ll end up spending. These hidden costs don’t make headlines, […]
From Mabati to Marble: Tracing the Evolution of Kenyan Home Finishes (And What It Says About You)
Walk into a newly built home in Nairobi, Eldoret, or even Nyeri today, and you’re likely to find imported tiles, quartz countertops, suspended ceilings, and LED lighting strips. But ask your parents—or take a stroll through homes built in the ’80s—and you’ll find a different story: mabati roofing sheets, chipboard ceilings, terrazzo floors, and green […]