Not necessarily.. Depends on where you are located and the hunger level of the government inspector, but better to get the approvals than fight needless battles

Please advice on the going rates for normal mahogany doors (interior) and their frames. Any advice on sourcing and what to look out for.

While putting up a flat, what are the minimum room sizes for the plan to be approved? I mean what should be the size (dimensions) of the living room, bedroom, kitchen, toilet/bafu? Also what should be the minimum size of a 1bdrm and 2bdrm?

I want to thank all the contributors on this topic for their great generosity. This is one of the threads where the time I have wasted on Wazua more than paid for itself. I have used the advise given here to complete two projects already. I even offered to buy a mbuzi to say thank you but there were no takers.

Thank you all the same

Wow. Two completed projects since January 17th 2018 when this topic was started! Impressive.. Leta mbuzi basi tukule

So after many years of toil and sweat, I've finally been blessed to scrape together a few decent plotis (a relatively prime 1/4 and a few 1/8ths in and around Nairoberry) with clean title in my name on which to start my mjengos. I could have started years back on the first plot but I figured that given the skyrocketing prices of properties in and around the big city, that would be putting the horse before the cart. Architect has designed the first mjengo for the 1/4 and we are about to ground break soon. He also wants to manage the project (to get his juicy contractor profit at my expense of course) but he doesn't know mjanja me will be getting my own foreman, sourcing my own materials, building in stages and joining in to soil my boots with koroga to save costs (thanks Penny-Stocker for those brilliant tips!). He has gone to great lengths to convince me that I need him to supervise at every stage, sourcing materials included (he's a good dreamer) but of course that will not be happening. My simple question is; at what stages (after approvals) do I really need this guy, assuming I have a good foreman? Can I cut him out completely after the approvals come in? Warm regards and thanks in advance.

Yes please, Share some pictures for more inspiration.

Sorry I am not comfortable sharing photos. But I can share advice:

1. Get a foreman with a good personality. By the time you finish your project you will have quarreled (and hopefully made up) so many times that you will lose count.

2. No matter what you estimate your project to cost, the finishes will surprise you. This is the time you get into most of those fundi fights

3. There are some things about construction that simply can not be rushed, no matter what resources you have at hand.

4. The most difficult step in construction is to start. Thereafter the challenges you face will focus your mind so much that you'll surprise yourself at how creative you become in solving all kinds of problems.

5. No matter how well you build your house, there will always be something requiring improvement

6. There is no feeling that beats seeing your house take shape, especially if it is for family use. That said I have taken a break from mjengo for now.

I can relate with all you've written.

Did the mbuzi expire, or is it still up for being eaten?