Building a retirement home? Cut your coat according to your size

I want to build my retirement home this year but was discouraged by many of my peers whose constructions have stalled. Some retired before the completion of their projects and are now living in incomplete houses that cannot be completed using their pensions. What can I do to avoid falling into this trap of starting construction and then abandoning the project midway?

Benson, Nairobi

I recently had a chat over coffee with a seasoned architect about what may stall the construction of standalone homes.

For starters, the architect said that many Nairobians desire to construct dream homes without taking into consideration the size of their wallets.

Some even start off construction projects to either compete with their peers or believe that they are equal to the task.

Most of the mistakes prospective home builders do start with choosing the wrong design. Some are even forced to re-engage architects to remodel the original design - this also costs money.

Opulent home designs are everyone's dream but the complexities that come with them mean construction will be costlier. Lavish homes mean the materials used may also highly likely be shipped from abroad.

This explains why some people start construction with gusto and then abandon the ship midway after their wallets or purses dry up. It's wise to stick to your lane - choose a house design that suits your lifestyle and that of your family.

There are also some middle-class Nairobians who complete building their houses only to realize that their furniture is bulky. An architect is called in to urgently remodel the sitting room for the lavish dining set to fit and also re-do the bedroom to accommodate more furniture together with the expansive six-by-six bed.

An architect may draw a house as instructed and then reality sinks in later after a quantity surveyor steps in to issue a bill of costs. For instance, the cost of building a house shoots up depending on the type of roof. Some roofing materials require more timber, thus the higher cost.

Some buildings also stall following the ujuaji (know-it-all) culture of Nairobians who would rather get advice from their drinking partners in pubs than consult the experts. There has always been a belief that building professionals are expensive and engaging them is part of the reasons that inflate the costs.

Nairobians nowadays even buy housing designs from hawkers in traffic and then get a fundi (mason) to try and build as per the plan. Such shortcuts have plunged many people into depression after the fundi makes mistakes that cannot be corrected - unless a professional comes in, brings down the shoddy work, and starts afresh!

There are also instances where professionals are called in late to sort out the misplacement of rooms, which also costs money.

Some of the discussed areas are reasons why some home builders either decide to take a break and look for more funds or do away with the project.

- Harold Ayodo is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.