You can build a single self-contained bedroom at sh4m

Aug 01, 2013

As economic times change, intending home-owners are shifting from houses with multiple rooms to those with fewer rooms to minimise resources.

By Umar Nsubuga and Saudha Nakandha
 
As economic times change, intending home-owners are shifting from houses with multiple rooms to those with fewer rooms to minimise resources.
 
A single bedroom self-contained house is one of those options. Architects argue that such houses save on wastage and can provide a housing solution for the increasing urban population.
 
How it is possible
Herbert Kibumba, a construction expert with Topland Motors and Construction, says buildings such a house is possible, but one has to consider the size and type of the plot before works begin.
 
“This design is flexible it can fit even in the smallest piece of land. Depending on the size of the land and desires of a client all can work,” Kibumba says
 
Size
The size of the one room has to be carefully handled by the architect or your builder to optimise site and space usage. 
 
The owner is likely to try and push for a room as big as possible. This might result in having a house much bigger than the site can take. 
 
In case you have an architect he has to be careful not to deprive the owner of space that could make the life better in the house. 
 
Cost
Kibumba explains that the nature of land determines the cost of a single room.
 
“Differences in cost occur where there is different topography of the land. For instance if the land needs grading you may incur an extra price due to the foundation difference,” he says.
 
But he says that a simple single self-contained house can go for approximately sh2.5m to sh3m.
 
 Kibumba says you may need  about 25 bags of cement for such a house if you lay a slab and about 20 bags without a slab to make it up to the ring beam.
 
He adds that one needs around eight iron sheet pieces for a minimal single self-contained house to be complete.
Abdu-Wahab Nyanzi takes us in the phases and prices
 
Building materials 
Nyanzi says one room can take 3,000 bricks and if each one costs sh220 then it will cost you sh660,000. Fine sand one trip costs  sh220,000, coarse sand one trip sh220,000. 
 
He also says it can take 30 bags of cement and each costs sh28,000, dump proof membrane one roll will cost you sh70,000, gravel one trip at sh200,000. 
 
In case you need hard core one trip cost will cost you Shs200,000, hoop iron one roll can cost sh80,000. 
 
Roofing 
Nyanzi says roofing timber can cost you sh500,000, iron sheets will cost you sh300,000 and roofing nails will cost sh20,000
 
Tools 
You have to account for tools as well, a hoe costs sh10,000, a spade sh10,000, a wheel barrow sh90,000, a pick axe sh10,000, mortar pans sh6,000 and a panga costs sh10,000. 
 
Other things 
Scaffolding poles Nyanzi says 10 can be enough and each costs sh4,000, nails 3-inch, 5 kilogrammes each at sh4,500, nails of 4-inch the same price and 5-inch are also at the same price. 
 
Builder’s string one roll is enough and it costs sh30,000, anti-termite treatment one item costs sh15,000. Water might cost sh100,000 and lastly you need a store which may cost more than sh50,000. 
 
This one room may cost sh4m up to roofing stage.
 

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