Are you Building a Beautiful Inexpensive Stone House? Consider These 4 Key Factors First

Introduction

Every Kenyan deserves a roof over their head. However, heightened inflation threatens to kill a potential homeowner’s ambitions. Nevertheless, this article will explain how building a beautiful inexpensive stone house is possible.

Factors to Consider When Building a Beautiful Inexpensive Stone House

Building a permanent abode is a mighty undertaking, especially in Kenya. Nevertheless, you can still build your dream home with a reasonable budget. Here are the factors to consider:

Size of the House and Floor Space

Generally, a big house will use more construction materials, and the labor cost will also go up. Also, you will need a larger piece of land on which your home will be situated. Therefore, you must consider a smaller abode to build an inexpensive house.

Fortunately, building and construction techniques have evolved so much that you can spend a lot less to get a good home. You can get exquisite house models with minimal floor space while including most amenities and creature comforts.

Simple Design

Sometimes, intricately designed houses are not necessarily beautiful. A simple plan like a bungalow or maisonette is not only easy on your pocket but also timeless. Also, constructing a house with a simple floor plan takes a shorter time.

Cost of Land

Before building a beautiful inexpensive stone house, you need to own the land on which it sits. Therefore, and in a prime location tends to drive up the final price of constructing your house. On the other hand, you can opt to buy land in satellite towns or even build on your ancestral land.

Cost of Materials

The cost of building materials tends to determine the overall construction budget. While you cannot control the price of cement and building sand, you still have a say in how much material you will need when building a beautiful inexpensive stone house. For instance, a big house with multiple floors will use more concrete than a simple bungalow.

Consider recycling structurally sound construction material to keep building costs as low as possible. Consider using open shelves and steel fittings instead of traditional wood, whose price is increasing day by day.

Additionally, you can employ prefabricated panels to offset a chunk of the construction cost. For the roof, you are better off using corrugated iron sheets instead of traditional roofing tiles. The former is way cheaper, dynamic, and equally long-lasting.

What Do You Need To Build a Cheap Stone House in Kenya

Expertise

In an attempt to keep construction costs down, some people will not involve a qualified engineer. However, you need a building expert to guide you in cutting costs while preserving your house’s structural integrity.

Labor

Labor costs tend to be a flexible factor during construction. You can have a large team on-site to quickly complete the project. On the flip side, you can trade the time taken to build for a leaner budget by hiring fewer personnel. Whichever option you choose, ensure you work with experienced builders who understand your limited budget.

Materials

If you are working with a tight budget, you don’t have the luxury of using an extensive list of building materials. Still, there are some items that any construction project demands.

Here’s an overview of what you need:

Stone

Building a Beautiful and Inexpensive Stone House can be a beautiful and timeless option for your new home. However, it can also come with a hefty price tag. Fortunately, it is possible to build a beautiful and inexpensive stone house with the right planning and execution. In this guide, we will explore the key factors to consider when building a stone house on a budget.

1. Type of stone: One of the first things to consider when building a stone house is the type of stone you will use. There are many different types of natural stone to choose from, including granite, sandstone, and limestone. Each type of stone has its own unique properties and costs, so it is important to choose a type that is both beautiful and affordable.
2. Stone thickness: Another important factor to consider when building a stone house is the thickness of the stone. Thicker stone is generally more expensive than thinner stone, but it is also more durable and can provide better insulation. If you are building a stone house on a budget, consider using thinner stone and supplementing it with additional insulation to help keep costs down.
3. Installation: The cost of installation can also have a significant impact on the overall cost of building a stone house. Traditional masonry techniques can be labor-intensive and expensive. To save money, consider using a dry-stacking method which allows you to build the stone house without using mortar.
4. Building codes and regulations: Before building a stone house, it is important to familiarize yourself with the local building codes and regulations that must be adhered to. Not only does this will help your house to meet the safety and structural standards, it can also prevent additional cost if you build it without considering this.
5. Planning and budgeting: Last but not least, the key to building a beautiful and inexpensive stone house is careful planning and budgeting. It is important to set a budget and stick to it, and to make sure that all the costs associated with the building process are accounted for. With a detailed plan and budget in place, you can be sure that you will be able to build the stone house of your dreams without breaking the bank.

Sand

Sand is vital when mixing mortar to hold stone blocks together. Also, a solid concrete mix is essential in making a robust foundation on which your house stands.

Metal

The common metals you’ll encounter are iron, aluminium, steel, and copper. These items serve a wide range of functions, such as reinforcements, wiring, roofing, and in plumbing elements.

Cement

Cement is the glue that holds together a stone house. Consequently, it is the most important construction material in Kenya and globally. Therefore, be prepared to buy hundreds of cement bags for your construction project.

Other Materials

Wood, glass, ceramic tiles, and roofing sheets are equally essential, even though they don’t form a large chunk of your budget.

Reasons for Building with Stone

Now that you know what you need to actualize your home-owning dream, here’s why a stone house is a must:

Durable and Timeless Structure

It is without a doubt that stone is the most durable building material. To give you some perspective, the ancient pyramids of Giza were constructed about 4,500 years ago. Closer home, many colonial stone buildings are still standing today. Furthermore, after building a beautiful inexpensive stone house and keeping up with regular maintenance, it will go on to house your grandkids.

Beautiful Designs

Man has been building beautiful stone houses for millennia. You only need to check out the pyramids of Egypt and the hundreds of castles scattered across Europe to get a taste of their aesthetic appeal.

A Stone House Will Insulate Your Family from Harsh Weather

Stone walls have an impressive thermal mass, meaning they take a considerable amount of time to warm up and cool down. On the other hand, structures that are entirely built using iron sheets tend to heat up rapidly during the day and lose that heat equally fast. Essentially, you will need to invest in additional insulation to make your living space bearable during peak daytime temperatures and nighttime lows.

Better Resale Value

Considering the factors above, a stone house is arguably more valuable than one built using wood or iron sheets. Therefore, you can recoup your investment with a healthy profit when you decide to sell your home. Also, the value of your home can even be used as collateral for a business loan or other credit products.

The Takeaway

Every Kenyan desires to own a home without worrying about pending bills living as a tenant. Also, a house gives you and your family much-needed peace of mind while serving as an investment for future generations. Fortunately, building a beautiful inexpensive stone house in Kenya is no longer a pipe dream. With a well-drawn budget and the right expertise, you can have a place to call home.