Points to note:
1. Do not start your project without all approvals in hand
2. Bulk purchase of building materials will save you big time, though you will need a 'trusted' foreman to control stock
3. The head fundi shall become closer than a friend during construction. You have to trust that person and change them very early incase of any doubt in their ability
4. Accounting for all supplies will have to be religious, otherwise you may start to believe that someone is stealing, unfounded
5. Labor costs will scare you stiff, but good labor has never been cheap. Foreman current rates should average daily at KES 1,500; fundi KES 1,000 and laborers at KES 450
6. Try to always challenge the thought pattern of your project team. Obviously you will not over-ride the professionals, but learn to question their suggestions based on logic
7. Finishing could actually finish you due to the costs, hence you have to be very hands-on at the stated stage
8. Labor cost on tile work should be based on square meters and the current going rate is not more than KES 250/sqm
9. If site doesn't have water or electricity connections, it is important to start chasing for the same as work progresses on site, else you may end up with a ready unit that has no utilities
KQ ABP 4.26