I'd like to know if 500,000/= can build a decent self-contained 2 bedroomed house in Lower Kabete(Red Soil).

I intend to direct the in-house loo to an existing pit latrine, so no septic tank to be build. (I hope doing this is legal).


Kindly give ideas.

You can build any place in the world but if you manage yourself.

Using an existing pit, if its the government one is not legal. But something is not legal when you are caught.

Also check here for other options

http://wazua.co.ke/forum.aspx?g=posts&t=11231

Is substituting a pit latrine for a septic illegal?

LOL! Reminds me of a fable;

A poor man passed on in his village at a ripe age.

He had never considered himself poor as Amadioha had blessed him with many sons.

All he left for his sons was the land he inherited from his father and fore-fathers before them. He had resisted the rich neighbour's offers for the land till the end.

Later when a son had managed to put aside some material for a small hut, the rich neighbour approached him, "son, this hut is not worthy of the first son of my great departed friend, Amadioha bless him. Sell me the land and I will pay you enough to build a decent house like mine".

Suffice to say, the son had no sons to consider. So he became a well-accommodated IDP.

This is truly a nyang'au thinking...... a prefab, can't be done with that much?

Wow, thank you all, I'm now wiser.
Ideas coming in:-
1.Do a foundation, walls and roof for the whole house.
2.Complete sitting room & washroom - plaster, doors, windows,sink etc.
3.Install Elec & Water. (Water is from a well-it's just pumping)
4.Move in.
5.Move in
6.The rest can be worked on as I save on rent.

I'm yet to get the cost in details...just approximates from pple in the industry.

Thanks a4architect. I've already started doing the ground-work(research). It's a brick & mortar house. I'm walking around viewing complete units,where possible talking to owners and also professionals in the industry.

So far it looks viable. Being tired of paying rent,I'm determined to move in once the sitting room and washroom are complete.

Cost of installing elec will be lower coz there is elec in the compound and I can do part wiring for myself.

I've also being checking this design http://www.a4architect.com/diamond-house-plan-cost/ but wondering if it can be the traditional 'box-like'house. Can using SSBs reduce the cost substantially, from what you incurred with the Kiserian 2br?
I've checked the Makiga-Engineering website but they don't have cost comparison.

I also have a fundi who has done good work for my relatives.He also has a good reputation - he doesn't steal materials or do shoddy work.

Kindly let me know how much the 2br cost you in total. What was the total area?

I have similar plans in Aug this year.septic tank already underway.I plan to harvest April rain water in the septic tank to save on water.still haven't done the architectural drawing but have conceptualised what I need.plans to do the drawings in may.God willing.
ideas welcome.

budget for structure 500000/- 3 bedroom

a neighbor in the adjacent plot is already doing his.his Fundi told me that the foundation plus walling blocks cost him 250,000.I think its possible to have the shell of the house with 500k since I will personally supervise the work so I expect little waste and a strong bargain.