Looking to build in Kenya on a budget? People often ask what they can build with 1 million shillings assuming that they already have land. There are two approaches one can take when building on a budget. One is building a complete house from the foundation to roof and making it livable, but here you will need to compromise on the size of the house, the materials used and the finishes. The second approach is called incremental approach, where you build what you need now, say a one bedroom as you think about what you want to build in the future. The third approach is where the client uses local handymen (fundis), to build. This option however should be exercised with caution.
The first approach means that you must consider a smaller house that is just adequate to provide for your most urgent needs. It means going for a two or bedroom home in place of a 4 bedroom, with a living room you can convert to a sleeping space if the need arises. It also means smaller spaces allocated to spaces such as living rooms and house plans that allow for multiple uses such as a living room which also serves as a dining room. Some modern conveniences such as ensuite bedrooms may also need to be removed from the design. It means ensuring that the unit you are building is most importantly well serviced and livable first, before introducing expensive finishes.
Another aspect to consider is the material being used. It is common for people going for cheaper housing to use mabati(corrugated iron sheets). Assuming one goes for a high-quality finish on the inside, it is possible to achieve a cheaper home. If using stone and hollow blocks, consider the ones that self-finish/left exposed as opposed to plaster on the outside to reduce the cost of building. Another trick to keep the cost down would be to use local contractors especially if the house to be constructed is simple.
The third option that involves the use of local handymen can also provide savings, but care should be taken when doing this. Ensure that the professionals used in this case have relevant experience and consider getting the design and schedule of materials first before commencing. This option mostly works if the owner is very hands on and has knowledge in construction.
Here are some two bedroom designs you can consider for the budget:
For the incremental approach, here is a sample idea of what that would look like. One can build a room and the service areas first, then the living room area, then the extra bedrooms last.
I hope this article has been helpful. Here are some two bedroom designs you can build for less than 1.5 Million shillings.
