@a4arch: Thanks..I think most Kenyans, I said most, think that if they have Ksh. 6m in their hands and are putting up a pretty big building, they should be called boss hence delegating the duties! They should learn to roll up their sleeves and even offer to be one of the koroga guys, heck, we'd be saving at least 300/= a day on labor!

One word: Fundis are thieves, they quote 50 bags of cement when they know that they'll only need 40 bags, stealing the remaining 10 when you are not at the site!

Thanks for your advise @Penny-Stocker , I am already doing that. Many of us appreciate your
practical write up on this project both novice like us and professionals like amiable @a4architect.

You are lucky at your age (sub 30) to achieve this feat and to be emboldened to take the bold step in real estate. I actually started mine very late @ 46 years as am now 51 (in 2008 after the world wide stocks debacle), and thanks to God I am on my third building project.
In future consider replicating this feat in Nairobi environ , the cost of building may be higher but the returns will be better. You know the up coming areas more than me (Kitengela, Rairu, Kiambu Road, westlands suburb,and thika road environ etc).

I do not whether this is practicable in Kenya, here in Nigeria to reduce your cost of building in high brow Nairobi for example, you can construct a temporary plywood house, do a borehole etc and actually export your key workmen from say Kisumu to Nairobi and pay them the Kisumu rate not the Nairobi rate, this brings down your cost of labour. You can equally move your work tools (if you bought them) like wheel barrow, shovel etc as I believe the cost of renting them is high in Nairobi.
Also consider incorporating servants quarters in your project it attracts a higher rent if you prefer to rent , or it may be useful to your siblings and extended family or you reserve for yourself any time the LANDLORD or his family make periodic visit.


Once again Asante Sana.

@penny stocker. Its possible to ensure such low costs of construction by ensuring low cost of living to the fundis. You can build them site houses and provide food in bulk from upcountry for the duration of the construction. On a lighter note,all basic human needs i.e food, shelter etc, including aeronautical engineering facilities can be provided in bulk from upcountry .

In essence you can use your "winning team" at affordable cost anyway within your country for construction purposes. Some will be very excited to come as they may not have visited Nairobi before.
I made this kind of arrangement in my first off shore building project in Tema, Accra Ghana.
Key Fundi was "exported" to Accra and it made business sense as I was able to minimise cost and create adventure to the reliable fundis. They were also a positive influence to the local work force in their pricing, quality of work, and optimal use of materials.
The motivation to use this approach was because all local fundi's gave us exhorbitant construction cost estimates, so I opted to bring
key players of our team and that helped to drive down the labour cost irrespective of the extra cost of temporary house on site and basic amenities.

@Pennystocker...Totally speechless....I spent via Relatives 4M Kshs constructing a 3 Bed Bungalow (would post the pic, if only i knew how on wazua) in Siaya and here you are presenting 4 Flats for almost the same price. . I knew i got ripped off. Its really hard if you aint on site.
That work is amazing Mr. Pennystocker, great inspiration for me with my 1/2 acre in Riat/Kanyakwar. Its good to know that it can be done.
Thank you.

Rapudo, si indusna your RIAT/Kanyakwar kadogo omera...I need a place for simba! Tuongee thura!

@Jaggernaut, You are right I based outside Kenya....but I'm lucky to have a job that I can do from anywhere, remotely! Been in Kenya since Nov. 2012 specifically for the project. Once done in about a month, then off I'll go again! Management will be left for a company in Kisumu, at a minimal fee ofcourse. That's why I'm asking a question on the other post/thread.

@kendata26....Take a look at my plans! These units are pretty big, hence the 30k - I could have put six 2 bedroom units on the same plot! My location is also pretty good place with lots of private homes.
On average, there are a lot of 2 bedroom units for 20k - 25k rent, depending on the location. Good luck with your venture!

@Penny-Stocker
Do you have any contact where i can get mawe at good rates. Looking for 9*9 and 6*9

Penny-stocker tafadhali saidia contacts. I would like to help in building of an orphanage hapo Dago-Nyahera area. Ruoth obed kodi!!