UJENZIBORA

Design and Build Contractor.

Category: Quantity Surveying

Construction Management / Cost Information / Decision Making / Quantity Surveying

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Importance of Cost Planning Your Building Project.

Construction projects are dynamic and continually changing. You need to be able to anticipate challenges, identify potential risks, and manage costs so you don’t get caught off guard when the unexpected happens. If you’re in the planning stage of a construction project, cost planning will help you set a budget for all the expenses that come with it. This includes material costs, labor, subcontractor costs, and other related expenses so that you have an accurate estimation of how much money is needed before breaking ground.

Cost planning also helps you identify areas where your project has high risk — like a slim budget or tight timeline — which is useful information if you plan on getting financing to pay for it. Knowing these things up front will save you from potential pitfalls and unpleasant surprises later on down the road.

What’s Included in a Building Cost Plan?
To bookend the cost management process, you’ll want to create a procurement plan and a cost summary. The procurement plan will help you outline the process of securing contracts with suppliers and vendors, which will include details like the type of material needed, the schedule for delivery, and any certifications needed. The cost summary will include all the numbers that went into calculating your budget, including the total cost of materials, labour, and any additional expenses like permits and inspection fees. A Quantity Surveyor can help you have this information in form of a Bills of Quantity, Program of Works and Material Schedules.

Identify the Scope of Your Project
The best place to start when cost planning is to determine the scope of your project. This will help you identify the necessary labour and materials you’ll need, which will in turn help you calculate the cost. The scope includes details like the overall building size and construction type, the number of floors, and any unique or special features like rooftop gardens or green roofs. A project scope might also include other factors, like whether you’re planning to include mechanical systems like plumbing and electrical work or add any special features like a conference room or rooftop patio.

Estimate Material Costs
When estimating material costs, you’ll want to account for any unique factors that may increase your building costs. This can include things like the type of material you choose or the labour costs associated with a certain construction method. For example, if you’re planning to use timber framing instead of concrete columns, you’ll want to account for increased labour costs associated with putting in posts instead of setting a sill plate. If you’re unsure of the costs associated with certain materials, you can visit a building supply store like Builders in Karen or Central Auto Hardware in Industrial Area (Nairobi) to research local pricing.

Estimate Labour Costs
Labour costs can vary widely, depending on the region where you’re building, the type of work you need done, and the skills of the people doing it. You may also want to account for overtime hours or any additional expenses that come up during the course of your project. To estimate labour costs, you can use the services of a quantity surveyor or reach out to your local construction company to get a quote from a project manager.

Identify Subcontractor Costs
Subcontractor costs are the expenses associated with hiring outside construction companies to handle tasks like excavation, site grading, concrete work, or electrical work. To estimate subcontractor costs, you can request a bid from a contractor to get an accurate estimate. You’ll also want to account for any change orders, fee changes, or potential miscommunications that could lead to added expenses. Therefore allow a Contingency Sum of between 5 to 7% of the Overall Cost.

Summing up
As you can see, cost planning is an important part of project management. It will help you estimate the total amount of money needed to complete a project, as well as identify potential risks that can affect the project. If you’re planning a building project, it’s important to understand the factors that will affect the price of your project. This will allow you to set an accurate budget and make informed decisions.

Architecture / Construction Management / Cost Information / Project Management / Quantity Surveying

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Basic Factors to Consider When Cost Planning Your Building Project

The general premise I would wish to take emanates from the intriguing question, “If a man wants to build a house, does he not first sit down and estimate the cost?”

It is thus imperative that one needs to “sit down” and contemplate or wrap his mind around the entire building project to determine whether it is worth his while to embark on the journey of construction.

While undertaking Cost Planning for your building project, it is important to keep in mind that the final cost of the house will be affected by both Design Factors and Economic Factors.

Design Factors

The design factors like shape and size of the building, complexity of the design, circulation space of the building, the height and the structural design of the building will have a bearing on the final cost.

It is also worthwhile to note that the workmanship and quality of materials to be used as determined by the specifications will have an impact on the cost. Most persons wishing to build are surprised at how varying one item like the type of finishes can have a high impact on their construction budget. Every building material has a substitute which could be cheaper or more expensive but plays the same function.

For example, among Roof Covers, we have corrugated roofing sheets(Mabati) , Makuti and thatched Grass, Box Profile Sheets, Stone Coated Tiles, Clay Tiles and Shingles. All play the same function but are priced differently. They also require different levels of expertise which has a bearing on the final cost of roofing.

The one you pick will have its own specific cost implications like Timber Spacing, Initial Cost and Maintenance Costs. Read: Which is the Best Roofing Material?

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Economic Factors

There are other hidden factors that will have an effect on the final cost of doing the building project. For instance, the interest on borrowed funds and price fluctuations caused by inflations or market forces can affect an initial cost plan of a project.

The source of the building materials, that is, whether available locally or imported will also affect the overall cost plan. There are some designs that may necessitate sourcing of skilled laborers and this would add to the overall cost. Building with machine cust stones is cheaper than building with Bush-Hammered Stones. Read: Ujenzibora Guide on Walling.

Political Factors

There are Political factors in terms of how stable a neighborhood is or the safety index of a neighborhood. One can readily tell that a high-end zoned neighborhood where the development is controlled could be cheaper in terms of security measures to be incorporated in the cost plan but relatively expensive since one has less free-play in the design variables.

Upon completion of the design and comprehension of all factors affecting the cost plan, the tasks, timings and costs are summarized in a Developers Budget or a Project Baseline Plan that will set out for you the roadmap towards home ownership. The Developers Budget will have a breakdown of the following items:

  • Construction Cost
  • Cost of Land Purchase
  • Cost of Finance
  • Professional Fees
  • Legal Fees
  • Preliminary Costs
  • Management Costs
  • Marketing Costs (If Development is for Sale)
  • Anticipated ROI (Return on Investment)

The Construction Project Workflow will also be reflective of all the factors that will affect the Building/Infrastructure Project from Inception to Completion.

One truly needs to be meek and confident enough to “sit down” when it comes to making a decision to build a House!

I trust that in your meditation to build, you shall consider the aforementioned lest people pass by your incomplete Building Project quoting Scripture:

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he has sufficient to finish it?

Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.”- Jesus Christ, Luke 14:28

Qs. David Nahinga

Twitter: @UjenziBora / @dnahinga

 

Architecture / BUILDING SOLUTIONS / Cost Information / Quantity Surveying

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The African Courtyard House by Architect Glenn Wilson

In keeping with our value proposition of providing affordable housing solutions, we are pleased to introduce The African Courtyard House designed and conceptualized by a team of designers led by Glenn Wilson Boerstler and Ujenzibora Investment Ltd.

In the year 2013, we set out on a journey to create a series of affordable housing solutions to be implemented in our “Design & Build Package”. We launched the Firstep House: Affordable Housing for Every Beginner  as a first in the series and The African Courtyard House becomes the third deposit after The Minima House.

Even though at first we received minimum participation, The Ujenzibora Housing Challenge continues to receive excellent submissions.

Project Inspiration:

The first and most important concept explored in this design is the concept of shelter (shown through elements of African Architecture).  I have chosen to design with this tradition in mind. The clean lines provide a modern aesthetic while the color and materials complete the link to the vernacular architecture tradition.

Proposed African Courtyard House (A ReThink of Vernacular Architecture fit for Rural Areas)

Proposed African Courtyard House (A ReThink of Vernacular Architecture fit for Rural Areas)

Courtyard Concept:

The house is based on a courtyard concept. There are two courtyards that represent the family’s social life as well as more private family functions and traditions. From the street entry one arrives through a wide plank wood gate by either by foot or car. The walls that surround the entire home are 3040mm in height. The entry courtyard provides sheltered car parking, a formal public courtyard, enclosed storage at the base of the tower and access to the guest bedroom and bath above.

African Courtyard House : Ground Floor Plan

African Courtyard House : Ground Floor Plan

Directly on axis to the wood entry gate is the main entry portico to the house itself. One enters the Great Room of the home which is a tall volume containing the Living Room, Dining room and Kitchen. The home is a bifurcated plan that encloses and inner private courtyard. This courtyard represents an outdoor Living Room accessed on three sides.

The other two arms of the house include the bedrooms. To one side of the courtyard is the Master Bedroom Suite. The Suite includes a master bath with views into a private courtyard. The other arm includes two smaller bedrooms with a shared full bathroom.

In our “Design-And-Build” Package, we have removed the complexity costs and process which have proved to be very tedious and confusing to home owners. For people who already have Land and Clean Title/Ownership Documents, to Construct The African Courtyard House the payment terms are as follows:
1. Committment Fees – 8% of Building Cost – Contract Signing & Design Modifications
2. First Installment, Second and Third Installment – 60% of Building Cost – Construction up to roof level
3. Last Installemnt – 32% of Building Cost – Complete Construction
The installments can be varied in agreement with the client.

Upon project completion, the owner gets a Hand Over Report and As-Built-Drawings which can be used later for property valuation, history or referencing.

Message from Architect Glenn
“Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this. I enjoyed the cultural aspects and African vernacular architecture I researched. A few of the results of this research are posted as inspirations for you to share in the development of the concepts presented herein.

Again, thank you for posting this exciting competition for my colleagues and I to design. I sincerely hope that you find the results you have expected and hoped for. The process of working on this home for you was very gratifying and informative. A note on my graphic approach. I became an architect because of my interest in the arts, in particular drawing. Drawing is an important component of my design process. I hope the graphics adequately illustrate  these ideas.”

BUILDING SOLUTIONS / Decision Making / Mortgages / Quantity Surveying

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Home Ownership through Self-Build

According to a recent survey by Kenya Bankers Association, those who could afford a mortgage are only 2.4% of the total population and 11% of the urban population. This is the case with an average mortgage loan size of Ksh.4.0million.

What does the law day about self-build?
The National Construction Authority Act 2011 provides in Section 16:

“a person shall not be deemed to be a contractor if the work undertaken— (i) does not incur a cost exceeding such sum or sums as the Board may from time to time determine; or (ii) consists of a residential house for private use, not requiring a structural design.”

The results of the survey indicate that home ownership is mainly through building (68%) compared to buying and inheriting which contribute 17% and 15% respectively.

The Minima: 1 Bedroom House by Ujenzibora

The Minima: 1 Bedroom House by Ujenzibora

Key reasons for home ownership according to Centre for Research on Financial Markets & Policy, KBA

  1. Value as a lifestyle investment.
  2. Reduce the burden of rent.
  3. It has value as a way to build up wealth for retirement.
  4. To gain tax benefits/relief.
  5. Providing a good and secure place for the family.
  6. As an inheritance, it can be passed on to family.
  7. Need for a permanent residence.
  8. Owning a house improves ones social status.
  9. Secluded place/privacy.
  10. Gain place that is in a community and location you prefer.
  11. Privacy and seclusion.
  12. To accommodate personal taste and specifications.
  13. Ability to make updates and renovations if one wishes.

Is it possible to undertake self-build?
Yes it is possible. However, it is prudent to obtain guided service in the form of an Architect, Engineer, Quantity Surveyor and other such professional as one may need.

For supervision of the project, one can use an accredited supervisor registered by the National Construction Authority. They are construction persons duly registered to supervise such small building projects wise value does not exceed Ksh. 5,000,000.00

Ensure that the project is first registered with the Authority before commencement of the construction.

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