Building Cost Estimator

Preparing financially for your upcoming construction project becomes more manageable with a preliminary grasp on the expected costs of your new house.

Quite often, the easiest way to estimate building costs is by using tools like a building cost estimator, also known as a house construction cost calculator.

However, this guide will help you calculate and plan for the expenses associated with your construction project, even without a building estimation calculator.

Here is how to estimate your building costs.

1. Count the square footage

Look at new houses that are similar to the ones you envision. Get the price of the house, subtract the price of the land, and divide that amount by the square footage of the home.

If the house is worth Sh50m and the land costs Sh25m, then the construction cost is Sh25m. If the home is 450 square metres, then the cost per square metre is about Sh55,500.

2. Consider the finishes

Note that high-quality finishes significantly increase building costs. A modest house in Nairobi goes for about Sh30,000 to Sh45,000 per square metre – with a high-end one going for about Sh50,000 to Sh80,000 per square metre.

RELATED: The Average Cost of Building a House in Kenya

3. Interior features

The interiors of a house greatly influence building costs. Increases in the size and number of windows, use of vaulted ceilings and high roof pitches raise costs tremendously.

Roofing materials used will also impact costs.

4.) Size of the home

It costs more per square foot for a smaller home than it does for a larger home. When building a bigger house, the cost of pricey items such as a bathroom and kitchen is distributed over more square footage.

Construction cost estimate formula:

1. Total cost = Buildup area x Approximate cost per sq. ft.

Example: 1,000 x Sh4,500 = Sh20.25m

• Amount of cement required = Buildup area x 0.4

Example: 1,000 x 0.4 = 400 bags of cement

• Amount of sand required = Buildup area x 0.816

Example: 1,000 x 0.816 = 816 tonnes of sand

• Amount of aggregate required = Buildup area x 0.608

Example: 1,000 x 0.608 = 608 tonnes of aggregate

• Amount of steel required = Buildup area x 4

Example: 1,000 x 4 = 4,000 kilos of steel

• Amount of paint required = Buildup area x 0.18

Example: 1,000 x 0.18 = 180 litres of paint

• Number of bricks required = Buildup area x 8

Example: 1,000 x 8 = 8,000 pieces of bricks

Editor’s Note: Consult a quantity surveyor for accurate budget estimates in the pre-contract stage, and for cost control and planning during construction.

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