Building materials prices in Kenya

The Construction Costs Handbook 2020: Building Materials Prices in Kenya

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In our building costs guide, we’ve revealed the current average construction costs in Kenya in terms of the prices per square metre for each of the three primary regions in Kenya – Nairobi, Coast, and Western. You can use it to estimate just how much you stand to spend on residential, commercial, retail, and industrial construction projects. 

(And while you’re at it, you could also refer to Kenya’s construction costs in 2022)

Now, as a follow-up to that, Integrum’s team of Construction Project Managers has prepared yet another guide to help you with your construction cost analysis. This one breaks down the figures to reveal the current building materials prices in Kenya- from the items you’ll use during excavation, to the finishing fittings and roofing materials. 

Sand, hardcore, reinforcement bars, windows, doors, cement, you name it. This guide bears all the details. 

It’s worth noting, however, that there’s no standard rate for the construction materials. Kenya is an incredibly diverse market with varying building materials prices.  Hence, we’ve considered the average building materials prices in not only Nairobi, but also the Coastal region, as well as Western and Nyanza. 

That said, you’ll notice that we haven’t reserved a section for the construction labour rates in Kenya. Instead, we’ve factored in the rates as part of the total construction materials prices.

Our construction cost analysis combined the rates from construction materials suppliers in Kenya with the corresponding construction labour rates as quoted by different local and international contractors. Consequently, you should be able to establish the total cost of purchasing and installing each building material. 

But, get this. When you feed these prices to your construction cost calculator, the final amount you’ll get is just a rough estimate that you can only use for basic planning. Once you’re ready to proceed, you should subsequently engage a registered quantity surveyor for a more accurate estimate of your project’s construction costs, based on the architect’s design. 

With that, let’s now explore the average building materials prices in Kenya, starting with what you need for site preparation, to the substructural items, and finally the superstructural elements. (Here’s another guide that converts all these costs into their corresponding percentage amounts.

Construction Materials Prices In Kenya – Site Preparation

Excavation and Filling (Materials and Labour Rates)

The Excavation Process

  • Site Clearance: Shs 55 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 70 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 70 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • 150mm Deep Excavation: Shs 70 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 90 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 90 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • Manual Bulk Excavation: Shs 225 per Cubic Metre in the Western region, Shs 275 per Cubic Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 210 Cubic in the Coastal Region.

The Filling Process

  • 50 mm Thick Sand Blinding: Shs 135 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 110 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 125 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • 50 mm Thick Quarry Dust Blinding to Hardcore:  Shs 140 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 100 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 125 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • Hardcore Filling To Floor Slab Level: Shs 1,400 per Cubic Metre in the Western region, Shs 1,600 per Cubic Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 1,350 per Cubic Metre in the Coastal Region.

Building Materials Prices In Kenya – Formwork and Reinforcement

Formwork (Materials and Labour Rates)

Marine Ply Formwork

  • Sides of Foundations, Beams, and Columns: Shs 500 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 520 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 570 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • Curved Sides of Beams and Columns: Shs 700 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 720 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 770 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • Sides of Foundation, Beams, and Columns Curved on Plan: Shs 700 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 700 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 700 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.

Sawn Formwork

  • Sides of Foundations, Beams, and Columns: Shs 400 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 420 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 470 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • Sides of Foundations, Beams, and Columns Curved on Plan: Shs 500 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 455 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 490 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.

Reinforcement (Materials and Labour Rates)

Fabric Mesh Reinforcement Type A – B.S. 1483 (48 by 2.4M Rolls)

  • Ditto A65: Shs 300 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 310 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 250 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • BRC Mesh A142: Shs 320 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 335 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 290 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.

Mild Steel Reinforcement

  • 8 mm Diameter: Shs 154 per KG in the Western region, Shs 140 KG in the Nairobi region, and Shs 135 per KG in the Coastal Region.
  • 10 mm Diameter: Shs 154 per KG in the Western region, Shs 140 KG in the Nairobi region, and Shs 135 per KG in the Coastal Region.
  • 12 mm Diameter: Shs 150 per KG in the Western region, Shs 135 KG in the Nairobi region, and Shs 138 per KG in the Coastal Region.

Structural Steel Works (Materials and Labour Rates)

Mild Steel Plates (8’ by 6’)

  • 4.5 mm Thick: Shs 6,550 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 8,500 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 6,300 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • 8 mm Thick: Shs 8,450 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 14,900 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 8,300 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.

Mild Steel T-Sections

  • 20 mm by 20 mm by 3 mm Thick: Shs 325 per KG in the Western region, Shs 280 KG in the Nairobi region, and Shs 265 per KG in the Coastal Region.
  • 20 mm by 25 mm by 3 mm Thick: Shs 325 per KG in the Western region, Shs 280 KG in the Nairobi region, and Shs 265 per KG in the Coastal Region.

Zed Purlins (6m Length Pieces)

  • 100 mm by 50 mm by 2 mm Thick (14 Guage): Shs 1,000 per Linear Metre in the Western region, Shs 850 per Linear Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 1,050 per Linear Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • 112.5 mm by 50 mm by 2 mm Thick (14 Guage): Shs 960 per Linear Metre in the Western region, Shs 900 per Linear Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 1,200 per Linear Metre in the Coastal Region.

Cold-Rolled Structural Steel Tubes

  • 16 mm Diameter by 15 mm Thick (0.54 Kg/M): Shs 200 per Linear Metre in the Western region, Shs 150 per Linear Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 235 per Linear Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • 25 mm Diameter by 115 mm Thick (0.74 Kg/M): Shs 220 per Linear Metre in the Western region, Shs 210 per Linear Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 270 per Linear Metre in the Coastal Region.

Construction Materials Prices In Kenya – Waterproofing 

Basement, Floor, and Wall Waterproofing (Materials and Labour Rates)

3 Ply Bituminous Damp Proof Course

  • 100 mm Felt DPC: Shs 140 per Linear Metre in the Western region, Shs 75 per Linear Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 150 per Linear Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • 150 mm Felt DPC: Shs 190 per Linear Metre in the Western region, Shs 120 per Linear Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 200 per Linear Metre in the Coastal Region.

Polythene Sheet Damp Proofing

  • 500 Gauge White Sheet: Shs 100 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 200 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 120 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • 1000 Gauge Black Sheet: Shs 120 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 390 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 135 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.

Basement Walls

  • Basement Wall Sealing: Shs 2,350 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 2,000 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 2,400 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • 20 mm Thick Asphalt Tanking: Shs 2,450 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 2,450 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 3,100 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • Vandex Basement Waterproofing: Shs 2,240 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 2,150 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 2,300 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.

Concrete Sealing

  • Integral Capillary System Waterproofing To Concrete Elements (1 KG For Each Square Metre): Shs 1,055 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 1,115 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 1,500 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • Integral Capillary System Waterproofing To Masonry Elements (1 KG For Each Square Metre): Shs 1,055 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 1,115 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 1,500 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.

Roof Waterproofing (Materials and Labour Rates)

Polythene Sheet Damp Proofing

  • 500 Gauge White Sheet: Shs 100 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 200 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 120 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • 1000 Gauge Black Sheet: Shs 120 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 390 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 135 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.

Concrete Proofing

  • Integral Capillary System Waterproofing To Concrete Elements (1 KG For Each Square Metre): Shs 1,055 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 1,115 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 1,500 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • Integral Capillary System Waterproofing To Masonry Elements (1 KG For Each Square Metre): Shs 1,055 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 1,115 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 1,500 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • 20 mm Thick Asphalt Tanking: Shs 2,450 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 2,450 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 3,100 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • App Waterproofing: Shs 1,450 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 1,300 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 1,600 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.

Building Materials Prices In Kenya – Walling

Concrete Blocks (Materials and Labour Rates)

Brickwork

  • 100 mm Bricks Partition: Shs 1,300 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 1,130 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 1,500 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • 150 mm Bricks Partition: Shs 1,550 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 1,350 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 1,600 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • 200 mm Bricks Partition: Shs 1,700 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 1,650 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 1,700 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.

Solid Concrete Block Walling

  • 100 mm Thick: Shs 1,860 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 1,550 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 1,810 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • 150 mm Thick: Shs 2,100 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 1,850 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 2,050 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.

Hollow Concrete Block Walling

  • 100 mm Thick: Shs 1,720 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 1,520 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 1,725 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • 150 mm Thick: Shs 2,100 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 1,850 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 2,050 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.

Natural Quarry Stone Walling (Materials and Labour Rates)

Juja “Ndarugu” Machine-Dressed Stone Walling

  • 100 mm Thick: Shs 1,975 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 1,450 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 1,685 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • 150 mm Thick: Shs 2,075 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 1,450 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 1,785 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.

E.O 225 mm Natural Stone Walling

  • For Fair Curved Cutting: Shs 250 per Linear Metre in the Western region, Shs 150 per Linear Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 200 per Linear Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • For Raking Cutting: Shs 140 per Linear Metre in the Western region, Shs 110 per Linear Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 125 per Linear Metre in the Coastal Region.

Construction Materials Costs In Kenya – Concrete Prepared On-Site 

Standard Concrete (Materials and Labour Rates)

Mass Concrete For Foundations and External Works

  • Concrete Mix Ratio 1:4:8 (M7.5): Shs 8,700 per Cubic Metre in the Western region, Shs 8,250 per Cubic Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 8,255 per Cubic Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • 100 mm Thick Surface Bed Concrete Mix Ratio 1:4:8 (M 7.5): Shs 1,000 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 1,100 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 1,000 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.

Vibrated Reinforced Concrete For Substructures and Superstructures

  • Concrete Mix Ratio 1:2:4 (Class 20/20): Shs 13,600 per Cubic Metre in the Western region, Shs 12,750 per Cubic Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 13,625 per Cubic Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • Concrete Mix Ratio 1:1:2 (Class 30/20): Shs 18,000 per Cubic Metre in the Western region, Shs 16,000 per Cubic Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 18,000 per Cubic Metre in the Coastal Region. 

Expansion Elements (Materials and Labour Rates)

Expansion Strips

  • 50 mm Wide Expansion Strips: Shs 150 per Linear Metre in the Western region, Shs 210 per Linear Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 150 per Linear Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • 100 mm Wide Expansion Strips: Shs 225 per Linear Metre in the Western region, Shs 310 per Linear Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 180 per Linear Metre in the Coastal Region.

Expansion Joints

  • 12 mm Flexcell Expansion: Shs 450 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 520 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 460 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • 25 mm by 25 mm Sealer: Shs 300 per Linear Metre in the Western region, Shs 300 per Linear Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 300 per Linear Metre in the Coastal Region.

Hollow Pots (Materials and Labour Rates)

Concrete Hollow Pots In Suspended Slabs (125mm Ribs)

  • 375 mm by 225 mm by 150 mm Thick Concrete Blocks: Shs 3,620 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 3,615 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 3,610 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • 375 mm by 225 mm by 300 mm Thick Concrete Blocks: Shs 3,750 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 3,545 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 3,700 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.

Clay Hollow Pots In Suspended Slabs

  • 300 mm by 250 mm by 125 mm Thick Clay Blocks: Shs 3,300 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 3,350 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 3,325 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.
  • 300 mm by 225 mm by 200 mm Thick Clay Blocks: Shs 2,730 per Square Metre in the Western region, Shs 2,630 per Square Metre in the Nairobi region, and Shs 2,710 per Square Metre in the Coastal Region.

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Engineer Jacob
Engineer Jacob
1 year ago

Amazing. Be blessed

Fred N. Makori
Fred N. Makori
3 years ago

Thank you for these insightful construction details. Most appreciated.

Kenneth Karani
Kenneth Karani
3 years ago

Good job

Stanley Chesoli
Stanley Chesoli
3 years ago

Marvelous

Edwin
Edwin
3 years ago

Thanks alot

Wilson Angwa
Wilson Angwa
2 years ago
Reply to  Integrum

Hi, very informative details, Good work.
Any pricing rates on Fabrications Les I missed it

Jawuo Peter
Jawuo Peter
2 years ago
Reply to  Edwin

This is good work guys kudos, i wish to know the labor rates for painting works, gypsum partitioning works, ceiling, fittings and joinery works.

Njuguna
Njuguna
3 years ago

Kasi jema……very informative especially for sisi wako diaspora! Carry on the good work.

Sandra
Sandra
3 years ago

Good morning, how much will it cost to build a 600 m long wall x 2m high at the coast? Thanks for your input

Nyadiero Lamech Olwal
Nyadiero Lamech Olwal
3 years ago

Excellent job keep updating us.pls remember to work on labor costs and material costs separately to avoid confusion.

Joseph
Joseph
3 years ago

Hello? Is there an average cost of concrete with steel combined?

Schally dee
11 months ago
Reply to  Joseph

Yeah,generally,Ksh 2650 /m²

Justin
Justin
3 years ago

Thanks for the insight, kindly add plaster, painting, tilling, roofing rates.

Ali kombo
Ali kombo
3 years ago

Thanks for ur assistance in rationing of concrete.

James
James
3 years ago

Give information about road construction

Job
Job
3 years ago

You sound knowledgeable. Please go on and publish, we shall buy or subscribe.

Patrick Matekwa
Patrick Matekwa
2 years ago
Reply to  Job

Fantastic! I hadn’t come a cross this educative aticals. It’s as discovering a GOLD field. Bravo.

Gatemi Maina
Gatemi Maina
2 years ago

Good job for keeping us updated

Justin
Justin
2 years ago

Good work, also include finishes rates (painting, terrazzo, tiles, plaster, key pointing, screeding and roof work

GODFREY
GODFREY
2 years ago

Quite good

Robert Odhong
Robert Odhong
2 years ago

@Integrum, you are doing commendable work in breaking down construction costs for the general public in Kenya. While others treat such as ‘trade secrets’, I am really impressed with the extent that you embrace the information age. This education of the public is very helpful for informed discussions with professionals and entities in the construction industry, and it will go a long way in helping improve understanding of works and relationships of the different contracting parties in future given that cost is the biggest driver in any project.

Eric
Eric
2 years ago

Hi.. Thanks for a great job guys. Question, a 3 bedrooms 205 sqm maisonette, red soil, thika road. How much am I looking at in terms of cost. Precisely.

Thanks

newton
newton
1 year ago

thanks so much for the insight
very informative and timely.
much appreciated.!!!

fitz shiroya
fitz shiroya
1 year ago

Hallo,

Very insightful. I intend to put up a slab on masionnete approx. 112.8 sq meters. What am I looking at in terms of cost.

Best regards

Isaac macharia
Isaac macharia
1 year ago

Hey I have a land full of rock can I get how we can make use of it ?

Brian Omondi
Brian Omondi
1 year ago

Rate for labour for construction per square meters

Nyagah Anthony
Nyagah Anthony
9 months ago

Very great and insightful information. Hats off to you great fellas. Thank you very much.

Sophie M. Musasia
Sophie M. Musasia
9 months ago

very informative. Thank you!

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