How do guys go about building an apartment block using a contractor?? For example, if I need 500k in net rental income monthly, and decide that a block of 5 floors will serve that purpose, what next? Assuming I have the land, and the money to build the entire block, how does one go about hiring a contractor and what should one expect? Do I just find a project manager to help with the paperwork, an architect and engineer...and later bring in the contractor to actualize the drawings?? How involved will I be in the process if a contractor is involved?? I am extremely green about matters construction and my hustles have been doing well so I'm considering investing in property now or in the near future. I have had this thought for over a year now and the threads I read on wazua don't seem to answer my specific queries, particularly about an apartment block and working with a contractor.

I agree, and I add "s" Cheques.
The agreement MUST have exit/termination clauses. Pay in phases!.

First step is to assemble a team of consultants, architect, structural engineer(yours truly) and a quantity surveyor, you may also opt to have a services engineer(to handle electricity, plumbing, AC, lifts, any automation.....)
Give the architect a brief and he will design something that fits your intentions and budget. Then the structural engineer takes those architectueal designs and does his drawings ensuring the building is structurally sound(we deal in concrete and steel). These two sets of drawings are required for local authority approval.
Then the Q.S prices those designs and gives you a breakdown of a bill of materials required and their estimate costs. They also prepare a schedule of costs that shows you at what stage how much is required.
Now with this document from the Q.S, you can now shop around for a contractor. Most developers do contracts in two ways,
i) labour contracts where you buy all buildimg materials and pay the contractor for his labour input.
ii) full contract where you pay the contractor for both materials and labour.

Your consultants led by the Q.S should advice you along this process of settling on a contractor and avoiding some traps contractors can setup.

When all this is done and dusted,you hire a C.o.W (clerk of works) who will be your eyes on site during the construction period. If you het the right team the project should be smooth sailing.

You should be on top of all decisions made in your project, trust your consultants and c.o.w to have your back but at the same time verify. Don't let anyone esp. consultants to dictate which other consultants/contractors to employ, even tho you want a team that works well together ,you don't want people who owe their allegiances to another party. You have to attend site meetings and inspections.

Thank you Shocks. This is exactly what I was looking for that isn't present in other threads. Simple and direct to the point.

You can also get a full design and build company like https://blueprintdesignandbuild.com/. I know a pal who worked with them and they did all the steps for them.

However it is wise to have your own clerk of works to be your person on the ground.

The advantage of using professionals is when shit hits the fan... which always happens in construction professionals have their licenses at stake and have to remedy things with you. Fundi on the other hand .... if you don't have time to micromanage them please use a contractor and professionals.

Also please note anyne telling you to build on your own is setting you up. Fundi's will eat from you and will cost you the same if not more than the professionals and will cost you time. Professionals don't like wasting time on projects since they aren't paid per day.