Building a home in Kenya doesn’t have to be expensive. With smart planning and affordable materials, you can construct a simple yet functional house without straining your finances. If you already own land, your main costs will be materials and labour. Let’s explore some of the most budget-friendly housing options in Kenya. A simple and cheap house to build in Kenya, if you may.
The One-Room Mabati (Simple and Cheap) House – Starting from Ksh. 50,000
A mabati (iron sheet) house is one of the most affordable and quickest structures to build. It is commonly used in rural areas and informal settlements as it is a simple and cheap house to build.
- Materials: Iron sheets for walls and roofing, timber or metal frames, and a cement or earthen floor.
- Estimated Cost: Ksh 50,000 – Ksh 150,000, depending on size and quality of materials.
- Advantages: Easy to construct, low-cost, and requires minimal labour.
- Disadvantages: Poor insulation, making it hot during the day and cold at night.
The Two-Room Timber House – Starting from Ksh.150,000
A timber house provides better insulation than a mabati house and is a great option where wood is readily available.
- Materials: Wooden planks for walls, mabati for roofing, cement for flooring.
- Estimated Cost: Ksh 150,000 – Ksh 300,000.
- Advantages: Affordable, provides better temperature regulation.
- Disadvantages: Susceptible to termites and fire risks if not well treated.
Brick or Interlocking Block House – Starting from Ksh. 300,000
Using bricks or interlocking blocks is a great way to build a solid, long-lasting home at a reasonable price.
- Materials: Clay bricks or interlocking blocks, cement, and iron sheets or roofing tiles.
- Estimated Cost: Ksh. 300,000 – Ksh. 600,000 for a one-bedroom house.
- Advantages: Strong and durable, good insulation, and visually appealing.
- Disadvantages: Requires more labour compared to simpler structures.
Prefab or Modular Homes – Starting from Ksh. 400,000
Prefab homes are manufactured in sections and then assembled on-site, making construction fast and efficient- a simple and cheap house
- Materials: Precast concrete, steel, or composite panels.
- Estimated Cost: Ksh 400,000 – Ksh 1,000,000 for a basic two-bedroom unit.
- Advantages: Quick to build, minimal material wastage, and modern finishes.
- Disadvantages: Limited customization, and delivery costs may add to the budget.
Container Homes – Starting from Ksh. 500,000
Old shipping containers can be converted into stylish and functional living spaces.
- Materials: A used shipping container, insulation materials, partitions, and roofing.
- Estimated Cost: Ksh 500,000 – Ksh 1,200,000.
- Advantages: Strong and durable, can be relocated, has a modern appearance.
- Disadvantages: Requires insulation to regulate indoor temperatures.
The Tree House – Starting from Ksh. 200,000
A tree house offers an eco-friendly and unique living space, ideal for those who want to build with minimal land disturbance.
- Materials: Hardwood for support, plywood or bamboo for walls, and mabati or thatch for roofing.
- Estimated Cost: Ksh 200,000 – Ksh 500,000, depending on size and design.
- Advantages: Blends well with nature, requires little ground space.
- Disadvantages: Requires strong trees, limited space, and accessibility challenges.
How to Minimize Building Costs and get a simple and cheap house
- Use locally available materials to cut down on transportation expenses.
- Consider alternative construction methods like interlocking blocks that require less cement.
- Build in phases to avoid financial strain.
- Handle some tasks yourself to reduce labour costs.
Simple and cheap house: The Big Question
If you had Ksh. 500,000, which of these cost-effective home options would you go for?
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