This house in under four weeks

This house in under four weeks

By Arch. Martin Tairo -
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You could now have a nice house standing on that plot in three weeks’ time at a pocket-friendly expense. Courtesy of technology now available in Kenya, assembling a house in a few weeks instead of digging up the whole village for months is gradually taking shape in the country.

And gone are the concrete blocks that must be dressed and tonnes of cement that must be bought and ferried from the hardware dealer and mixed with sand, punching a huge hole in your wallet in the process.

The recent announcement by the National Housing Corporation (NHC) that it will construct prefabrication factories for mass production of industrial panels for house construction may have come as a surprise to many.

But the technology has been has been used extensively, and for many years, in other parts of the world — even though, for some reason, it never caught on in Kenya. And, because most Kenyans are wired to fear the unknown, potential home owners are still on the watch-and-wait mode.

The panels — made from different materials, ranging from recycled paper through honeycomb and cardboard to concrete — are viewed as the ultimate solution to the housing problem in the country.

Little wonder, then, that one company, Eco-Houses Limited, has embarked on modular building using concrete panels with the aim of easing the housing shortage in the country.

The company has contracted Bamburi Special Products Ltd to produce reinforced concrete wall panels, which it says have significant benefits over traditional building methods.

“Our products are ideally suited towards supplying quality affordable houses, offices, schools and classrooms as well as a range of many other convenience buildings,” notes the company’s website.

The other, cheaper option is timber. The Naivasha-based Economic Housing Group (EHG) has been serving Kenya’s prefabricated housing, furniture, and door and window requirements for a while.

The company specialises in wood products and can put together a two-bedroom house, complete with furniture, in eight hours.

Even though for a long time timber construction was shunned because of life span considerations, developers are now appreciating that prefabricated timber houses can be part of the housing solution.

However, because of the need to conserve natural forests, wood is in short supply, thus increasing interest in the potential of cardboard and even paper in the construction sector. Although they lack the tensile strength of wood or steel, recycled paper and cardboard are made into wafer-like honeycomb structural panels.

The process entails soaking them in polymer resins and subjecting them to extreme heat and pressure.
But, according to an expert in the construction industry, production of this on a mass scale needs massive investment.

The advantages of prefab houses, the manufacturers say, include shorter construction periods that save on labour costs and environment conservation by avoiding digging up the ground and wastage of construction material on the site.

The manufacturers say prefabs can allow for up to 60 per cent saving on the total cost of the house.
But there are those who feel the technology may be overrated.

One of these is Frank Gichuhi, an architect and founder of 4architect Consultancy. Frank says the major problem is that, even though the Steel SIP Panels are cheap in China (a two-bed room house costs Sh600,000, plus freight, to Mombasa), there are other underlying costs.

“From Mombasa, the costs go up tremendously. There is import duty at 10 per cent, 16 per cent VAT, 25 per cent KEBS inspection and the transport from Mombasa,” he says.

By the time the material reaches Nairobi, it costs approximately Sh1 million. A similar stone house will cost Sh1.1 million using the average Nairobi rates of construction.

“The saving is too minimal to deserve all the hustle, hence people choose the traditional methods of construction” says Mr Gichuhi.

At Eco-Houses, to have a complete 73-sqm three-bedroom house (master en suite, lounge, kitchen, two water closet toilets and bathtub and a fancy roof) costs from Sh1.67 million plus VAT, or Sh2.1 million if you opt for a more versatile roof.

A similar but smaller type of house on 64-sqm of land roofed with iron sheets costs from Sh1.5 million, while, if you have Sh1 million, you could readily have a 45-sqm one-bedroom house.

But the cost may go higher, owing to the location of factories and the attendant transportation costs. However, the good news is that, as the prefab industry takes root in Kenya, home owners will be able to buy their walls, floors, windows and roofs in packs and make specifications for the fittings and finishes, then wait for the house to arrive on the site for assembling.

Manufacturers say the basic shells of a building can be installed in between three and eight weeks. And the houses have a life span of between 20 to 50 years, depending on the material used.

Yet, in spite of these promises, Kenyans are still cautious of the quality and durability of the prefab houses, and have asked the Kenya Bureau of Standards to confirm their usability.

The biggest concern for may remains insecurity. Potential customers feel psychologically unsafe in a house made of panels as people prefer stone houses with steel doors and windows.

However, the use of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) has for so far been approved by the Kenya Bureau of Standards.

So, as Doubting Thomases adopt the usual wait-and-see approach, the investment of billions of shillings in the prefab factories by the National Housing Corporation will serve as a confidence booster for many Kenyans in the use of this technology.

One of the NHC factories in Mlolongo is expected to be complete by the end of the year and begin commercial production by the end of June next year, producing an initial 3,000 housing units.

Recent incidents of buildings collapsing may also serve to boost confidence in prefab housing because the quality of construction materials is checked at the factory as opposed to the conventional method, where the quality and workmanship can only be determined when work has already started.

Construction laws have also been blamed for the sluggish uptake of prefab technology in Kenya because materials and building requirements specified in the early 1960s are still being enforced today, giving no room for technological advancements.

“The law is very rigid,” says Frank.
But there are positive signs from the insurance sector and mortgage financiers who are showing willingness to support the use of prefabs.

“Our buildings can be underwritten by insurance companies, and still attract bank mortgages and short term financing,” says the Eco-Houses Group website.

It now remains to be seen how soon the construction laws will be changed; how soon the manufacturers will spread their production countrywide and, most of all, how soon Kenyans will receive the prefabrication technology for their housing needs.

Source: Daily Nation

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55 COMMENTS

  1. INESA Ltd is specialised in light gauge steel frame structures ranging from relief shelter units to health centers, schools, to mid and high-end homes. we focus on providing the most durable, safest and sustainable steel frame buildings. Because light gauge steel frames are so fast and accurate to produce, and so light and easy to work with, we guarantee to reduce your overall building time and cost. Light gauge steel frames provide a consistant material quality, so there will be no warping, no twisting or cracking. Stronger and straighter, with far less waste, light gauge steel frames structures are more cost efficient. Our building are environmentally friendly and recyclable for over 80%.
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    • Looks like a good idea. About how much did it cost to build the house?
      I would like to build one in Nairobi.
      Are you the builders? Give me more inforand will talk to you this week.

      • Hi Arthur,
        The first step is to get the architectural drawings from which we do a detailed drawing and from this we shall be able to give you an accurate costing.This is so because the price is very much pegged on the specifications of the architect,however I can be reached at peter@tc-africa.com or tel:0714965443 where we can arrange for a presentation.

  2. I would really like to commend this article. This is a cost effective way of building. It may take i while for home builders to take it up. As i know Kenyans are very rigid when it comes on embracing new stuff in the market,nevertheless with continued sensitization and use it will slowly pick up. I bet you when the word goes round you will not believe the demand for this.

  4. Hii, this sounds so convincing. now i have some plot at Katani . as you see this is not far from Mulolongo. I need to get to know how this houses really are. i wouldnt mind having to own one on my plot at katani. and that you could then use me to prove to enough Kenyans that yes it is true one can get to own a house just like that pap.

    I look forward to more info on this. i hope it is strong enough to withold strong wind as i have not yet planted enough trees to wind shield.
    Sussy

    • Hi Sussy,
      The first step is to get the architectural drawings from which we do a detailed drawing and from this we shall be able to give you an accurate costing.This is so because the price is very much pegged on the specifications of the architect,however I can be reached at peter@tc-africa.com or tel:0714965443 where we can arrange for a meeting and presentation.

  7. If the said house will be connected to the power grid ,obviously then it will continually be expensive.How about reading the following article on solar energy,then make a provision for solar in your projects

    Solar water heating:

    Research findings reveal that 50-70% of fuel and electricity costs in homes and most institutions are incurred because of heating water. Apart from being ineffective and polluting, most of the conventional means of water heating are very expensive. The most efficient and effective way of cutting the cost of heating water is by using solar water heaters. These systems use the sun which is available in abundance in our country. These systems ensure the availability of hot water all year round as long as the sun available and free of charge. Apart for the initial installation cost, these systems require no maintenance and can stay in operation for up to twenty-five (25) years. With payback periods ranging from one to three years it makes a lot of economic as well as environmental sense to invest in these systems.

    Power Back Systems:

    Power back up systems ensures that our daily operations continue uninterrupted in the event of mains (KPLC) power failure. These systems come in several forms but we only sell the best. For applications with power requirements ranging from 0.5 kW up to 7 kW, They consist of an inverter-charger and battery bank as the main components plus other electrical accessories. These systems are automatic and seamless in operation, noise free and require minimal maintenance. They can be designed for back up periods ranging from 2 hours to several days.

    Grid Interactive Solar Power Systems (GIPS):

    These are revolutionary systems based on a new, innovative and unique idea. They are primarily designed to provide all lighting points with power regardless of availability of the grid (KPLC). Their operation and most of the components are similar to those of a conventional solar lighting system with a few additions and modifications. The essence of installing these systems is to cut on the recurrent expenditure incurred from lighting as well as to ensure reliability and stability of power supply. In normal operation, this system will power all the lights 100% from solar power but will automatically allow KPLC to come in if the battery discharges to the minimum allowable level hence the grid interaction. As an option, a manual change over can be included in the system. This allows the GIPS to act as power back up for other applications in the event of mains (KPLC) power failure.

    Also get information on the following

    Solar lighting
    Solar swimming pool heating
    Garden & Security lights

    Thank you and I look forward to hear from you.
    Best regards,

    ALFRED MWAURA
    0721 366 414

    • Hi Collins,
      The first step is to get the architectural drawings from which we do a detailed drawing and from this we shall be able to give you an accurate costing.This is so because the price is very much pegged on the specifications of the architect,however I can be reached at peter@tc-africa.com or tel:0714965443 where we can arrange for a presentation.

  10. Very interesting. could you pl send photos of 4/5 bedroom hse single/double floor and estimates considering that the plot is at Nakuru Milimani.

    • Hi Jenny,
      The first step is to get the architectural drawings from which we do a detailed drawing and from this we shall be able to give you an accurate costing.This is so because the price is very much pegged on the specifications of the architect,however I can be reached at peter@tc-africa.com or tel:0714965443 where we can arrange for a presentation.

    • Hi Violet,
      The first step is to get the architectural drawings from which we do a detailed drawing and from this we shall be able to give you an accurate costing.This is so because the price is very much pegged on the specifications of the architect,however I can be reached at peter@tc-africa.com or tel:0714965443 where we can arrange for a presentation.

    • Hi Yamo,
      The first step is to get the architectural drawings from which we do a detailed drawing and from this we shall be able to give you an accurate costing.This is so because the price is very much pegged on the specifications of the architect,however I can be reached at peter@tc-africa.com or tel:0714965443 where we can arrange for a presentation.

    • Hi Sam,
      The first step is to get the architectural drawings from which we do a detailed drawing and from this we shall be able to give you an accurate costing.This is so because the price is very much pegged on the specifications of the architect,however I can be reached at peter@tc-africa.com or tel:0714965443 where we can arrange for a presentation.

  14. I intend to own a house in one of the designs u have, please send me design costs for a 4 bedroom master ensuite plus ofcourse the construction costs
    thanks-my email adress is muriithinjue@yahoo.com. Hope to hear from u

    • Hi Rita,
      The first step is to get the architectural drawings from which we do a detailed drawing and from this we shall be able to give you an accurate costing.This is so because the price is very much pegged on the specifications of the architect,however I can be reached at peter@tc-africa.com or tel:0714965443 where we can arrange for a presentation.

  18. i guess its not cheap, youve seen how they are evading the question on the price of the house pictured.

  19. Is there a website for the company that does these houses? and why is it they are unable to give an estimate of the cost.

  26. Am in the process of developing a detailed design for my house. I would like to consider this technology. But from 2011 to date how far has this technology spread? is it in Western Kenya? Where, whom should i inquire from?

  30. Please furnish me with more information now that I am a resident of Kisumu county. Any county office?

  33. Such vague responses are the reason people are not able to budget properly and own their homes. Kenyans hate to reveal the true cost of house building even estimates because they are always looking for ways to make more money and not to save cost for the builder.

  34. I am trying to build a hotel close to the Ocean in Nigeria can this done with this kind of building?

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