4 Modern House Construction Techniques Saving Homeowners Up to Ksh800K

As construction costs continue to soar, many Kenyans are increasingly looking for house designs, alternative construction materials and processes that can save on costs.

In the recently published 2025 Economic Survey,  the rise in construction costs was attributed to the price hike of construction materials, which led to the contraction of the sector.

“In 2024, the average annual inflation for construction input prices rose to 2.83 per cent, up from 2.30 per cent in 2023. Cement consumption decreased by 7.2 per cent to 8,537.0 thousand metric tonnes over the same period,” read the report in part.

However, despite the rise in costs, the demand for housing continues to grow, thereby forcing Kenyans to look for creative ways to bring the costs down.

‍Money254.co.ke interviewed Arnania Ogutu, an architect based in Nairobi, on the cost-effective trends that have been witnessed in recent years, and these are the tactics Kenyans are using.

House Designs 

One of the notable adjustments that Kenyans are making amid high costs is choosing simple house designs that guarantee them low expenditure.

For instance, Ogutu divulged that there was a rise in demand for A-frame homes and cabins.

“People are going for tiny houses. This is making people increasingly choose house designs for A-framed houses and cabins. This saves on costs in terms of their expenditure on materials,” he explained.

Most A-frame houses are constructed using steel or wood, and this cuts the costs of bricks, cement, among others.

For instance, one could use Ksh3.5 million to put up a 2-bedroom A-frame house in Nairobi Metropolis. 

In contrast, when using a normal house design, one could spend between Ksh4 million to Ksh4.3 million (spending between Ksh48,750 to Ksh122,860 per square, estimates by Integrum, a construction firm).  This means that one could save up to Ksh500,000 by opting for an A-frame house.

While many may prefer this option, Ogutu advises Kenyans looking to build homes or undertake the projects to consult with the experts, such as architects, who can advise on the best material to use depending on the location and weather patterns of an area.

Also Read: ‍Places to Find the Cheapest Homes in Nairobi Metropolis & Their Prices

‍Open Floor Plan

On the other hand, some Kenyans are opting for open floor plans, which include an open kitchen.

Through choosing this design, one eliminates the costs of constructing interior walls. In some instances, people prefer making kitchen counters that can also be used as dining tables. This model is, however, only ideal for people who are not keen on their privacy.

‍Alternative Materials

With increasing innovations in the sector, new technologies such as precast materials are making construction less costly.

Notably, precast materials take a shorter time for construction, further reducing the labour costs.

“You can find that someone will purchase precast beams, blocks or walls, and they will be transported to the site for installation,” Ogutu stated, adding, “Installation can take one day in comparison to the normal construction, which can take days and weeks. Therefore, this method significantly reduces labour costs.”

For instance, if someone is using 2 semi-skilled workers, the construction of a wall can take between 2 to 3 days. However, installation of a precast wall can take a day. 

Assuming the workers are paid Ksh1,300 per day (using estimations in the Economic Survey), one can save Ksh2,600 per worker by reducing working days from 3 to 1.

Nonetheless, the use of precast can also have its disadvantages, as it requires skilled equipment for installation in addition to requiring workers who are experienced in using the technology.

Also Read: Govt Sets Conditions in Rollout of Cheap Mortgage for Kenyans Building in the Village

‍Do It Yourself (DIY)

“In most cases nowadays, you will find that someone building a house will get more involved in the construction process,” the architect added.

“For example, if someone has a skill in timber work, they will help in the work as opposed to the previous practice where most people left most of the work to the contractors and handymen.”

This reduces the number of workers needed at the site but also enhances supervision, which keeps the workers on their toes to complete the project on time.

Other DIY projects are also witnessed in the interior designs and decorations of houses, where a homeowner can opt to paint their own house. 

Notably, owing to the increasing use of Google, Money254.co.ke conducted a spot check on searches, which showed that DIY in construction was among the top searched terms by Kenyans in the last 20 years.

For instance, people have been searching for DIY home decor ideas, living room, DIY wood projects, among others.