Salvages:Reclaimable building material

Apart from the environmental concerns’, recycled building materials are often less expensive than their brand new counterparts.We have realized that  there’s a healthy demand for salvaged building material.

Contractors and developers enjoy lower costs of  materials, less time is spent hauling material out of sites & yes, even environmental authorities will hate you a little less. We compiled a list of some itet can be reused albeit non-structurally in recon or renovation work.

1. Reclaimed Wood

Found in abundance in most of the older homes in the roofs, stair panels, ceilings, hand rails, window seals, flooring and countertops. Wood can be milled and processed into stunning new products.

2. Steel & Iron

Steel & iron are common construction materials used in project.You find them on roofing sheets (mabati) , galvanized pipes, columns, beams, trusses, scaffolds and many others.  In for the simple reason that it doesn’t lose structural strength after being recycled. Recycled steel has been used in new buildings, bridges, cars, and more. Recycled steel is less expensive to produce than virgin steel. Plus, recycling steel causes far fewer carbon emissions than extracting new steel

3.  Gypsum

Sandwich gypsum between two sheets of paper and you have drywall. Its high recycling value is due to drywall’s varied recycling potentials: Gypsum scraps can be used to patch walls, to form concrete, or to create new drywall. The gypsum in drywall is beloved by gardeners, who use it to nourish plants. Finally, the paper in drywall can be recycled as well. Salvaging drywall is an Earth-friendly operation, not only because it reduces landfill volumes, but also because drywall in landfills can leak sulfate into nearby watersheds.

4. Glass and Windows

Like steel, glass can be repeatedly recycled with no loss of quality. Environmentally conscious consumers and businesses are drawn to glass because it’s inherently green—for every ton of glass that’s recycled rather than extracted, a ton of natural resources are saved. Windows salvaged from demolition sites can be recycled for any number of applications, from sandblasting to paving parking lots.

 

Have materials to salvage? Contact us

Need salvaged building material? Contact us here

 

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Building a home back home

 Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. ~Robert Frost

Once you choose to construct a home back home, the next immediate step is to identify how to start. Most people rely on  relatives or friends living within Kenya to select a site (location) , obtain designs and construct the home.  In order to ensure that the building commences and progresses smoothly  they periodically send money home. This arrangement has worked for some but an increasing group of diaspora get conned by their own family members because of poor workmanship or non-existent projects.  Family ties  prevent them  from taking legal action against them. Today we advice you on how to  avoid these problems.

1.  Let Professionals Handle your Project:

Building professionals ensure a number of things. First, by appointing a team of professional contractors, you benefit from expert advice in design, construction, costs and all other aspects of the project including legal standing.Building professionals also ensure that the quality of workmanship in construction is upheld. They become your eyes and ears on the ground.

Letting professionals handle your project also enables you to easily acquire mortgage  if need be, from lending institutions  In Kenya, a registered architect and some instances, a registered engineer is required for all projects.

2.  Don’t Send down all the Money at Once:

For construction projects, it is smart to remit funds gradually as opposed to in lump sums. The reasoning is this: the risk of loss of funds in unscrupulous deals is reduced.

3. Conduct due diligence

Always make an effort to verify all project details.  These details include:the validity of issued certificates, the evidence of the construction site, the status of the project and the reputation of the contractors.

4. Stay connected with your local team

Keep constant communication with your local contractors. Make an effort to visit the site at least once a year, to assess the situation on the ground. Keep your eyes on your investment!

5. Retain all relevant documents

Your property documents are what you need and will stand proof of ownership in case of legal tussle or private incursions. Examples may include the title deed/settlement agreement or share certificate for the land, the architectural & structural documents and significant agreements.

In KENYA?

You may find the paper below particularly useful.

The Cost of building works paper can be downloaded below

Average Build Cost Guide>> CALCULATOR

TAX INCENTIVES (Real Estate Developers in Kenya)

TAX INCENTIVES

Tax breaks are not the usually the main motivating factor behind real estate investments. They however serve as a an excellent incentive to investors. Today we highlight the incentives available for both real estate developers and owners in Kenya.

1. Tax Incentives Available to Real Estate Developers

a) REITS

Under Section 20C of the Income Tax Income Act, Cap 470, the income of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) is not taxable.

•  A REIT is a vehicle which allows investors to pool resources together and invest in Real Estate. The shareholders of REITs acquire units which are tradeable at the stock market.
• The mode of taxation is the same as that of Unit Trusts which are tax exempt on their investment income.

b)Low Income Housing Project

Under the VAT Act, Cap 476, persons are allowed to apply for VAT remission on low income housing projects. The incentive is meant to encourage housing provision to low income earners.

• A low income earner means a person whose monthly gross earning amount to Kshs. 35,000 or less.
• A low income house means a house put up at a construction cost of not more than Kshs. 1,600,000 and of plinth area of not less than 30 square metres.
• A Low income housing project means a project of not less than 20 housing units intended for low income earners.

2. Tax Incentives Available to Landlords

a) Landlords are allowed to claim Industrial Building Allowance on the cost of construction.The applicable rates depend on; the nature, use and area the building is constructed. 

The specific allowances are as follows;

• 10% on cost for building leased and used for manufacture.
• 5% on cost for rental residential building in planned residential area approved by Minister for Housing.
• 25% on cost for rental residential building in planned residential area approved by Minister for Housing where the owner has put up roads, water, power, sewer and other social infrastructure.
• Wear and Tear allowance on machinery and equipment as per the second schedule of the Income Tax Act.
• Personal and Insurance reliefs for individuals as per Section 30 and 31 of the Income Tax Act.
• Home Ownerships Savings plans for Individuals as per Section 15 of the Income Tax Act.
• Mortgage relief for Owner occupier Income as per Section 15 of the Income Tax Act.

 

Information is sourced from the KRA website. (Accessed 01/02/2013)

 

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BUILDING POLICIES AND REGULATIONS

Q & A

What are the problems in the sector?

The construction industry everywhere faces problems and challenges. However, in developing countries like Kenya, these difficulties and challenges are present alongside a general situation of socio-economic stress, chronic resource shortages, institutional weaknesses and a general inability to deal with the key issues. There is also evidence that the problems have become greater in extent and severity in recent years. One of the charges leveled at the construction industry, as at the beginning of the 21^st century, is that it has a poor record on innovation, when compared with manufacturing industries such as aerospace or electronics.

Institutional weaknesses exist where a regulating authority is unable to effectively implement the set regulations. This is a fairly common challenge in the sector where incidence, incapacity and negligence of the parties concerned results in poor building construction and associated challenges.  In order to come up with a way forward, it is critical to examine the existing codes already in place.

 

2. Present Regulations

The regulations governing the construction sector are distributed among the following:

(a)    Government policies- Building codes.( DOWNLOAD HERE)

(b)   Statutory regulations

(c)    Contractual regulations

(d)   Law of torts

(e)    Rules of equitable law.

 

2.1 Government Policies

Property and land policies so formulated by the government were and still are gradually being adapted in the construction sector. These policies include;

i)        The National Housing Policy- aims at ensuring sustainable construction and proper administration of land

ii)      The national land policy- ensure sustainable use of land

iii)    The Economic Recovery Strategy for wealth and employment creation strategy- Enabled urban renewal and rehabilitation of infrastructure and previous mining areas.

iv)    Vision 2030- The present government policy that aims at ensuring effective, efficient and fast socio-economic development in Kenya.

v) Building Code (downloadable here)

2.2 Statutory Regulations

These are formulated by either government bodies or the associated agencies. These include, but are not limited to, The National Housing Corporation, The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), The City Councils, The Professional associations, Bureau of standards, the courts among others.  Such include the following;

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2.2.1 The factories acts

It defines a factory as any premises in which, or within the close or curtilage or precincts of which, persons are employed in manual labour. In the context of manufacturers in the construction sector, subsection (VI) states as follows:

‘any premises in which articles are made incidentally to the carrying on of building operation or works of engineering construction, not being premises in which such operations or works are being carried on’

This act also makes provision for the health, safety and welfare of persons employed in factories and other places of work. The Act is predominantly socioeconomic in nature and focuses on the shop floor conditions of the factory, safety devices, machine maintenance, safety precautions in case of fire, gas explosions, electrical faults, provisions of protective equipment among others.

 

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2.2.2        Kenya Public Procurement and Disposal Act 2005

In the construction context, this act governs the procurement and disposal of public property. It defines who a contractor is, the form of tendering (open), the procedures to be applied in both the procurement and disposal of property.

Other statutory regulations include;

• Environmental management and coordination  act – Which established the National Environment and management authority (NEMA) to cater for all issue affecting the environment
• The Physical planning act- established to control land use
• The Land planning act
• The water act
• The energy act
• Building codes of 1968- Established to be enacted by the local authorities. They defined the building specifications and the quality of building material to be used. Connection to common facilities such as sewers, electricity and water pipelines was also defined.
• The land acquisitions acts- dealt primarily with the procedure of land acquisitions, ownership and disposal
• The Government Lands Act (Cap 280 Laws of Kenya)-This enactment is no doubt a replacement of the 1915 Crown Lands Ordinance.  It was enacted to make further and better provisions for regulating the leasing and other dispositions of Government Land and related issues.  Under this Act, only the President can sign documents granting title. The President can and has delegated his powers to the Commissioner of Lands. The GLA lays down the procedures the Commissioner of Lands must follow in allocating land.

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS

There are three essential requirements of any contract.

1. Incentive: The prime aim is to provide an adequate incentive for efficient performance from the contractor. This must be reflected by an incentive for the client to provide appropriate information and support in a timely manner
2. Flexibility: the prime aim is to provide the client with sufficient flexibility to introduce change which can be anticipated but not defined at the tender stage. An important requirement is that the contract should provide for systematic and equitable evaluation of such changes.
3. Risk sharing: the prime aim is to allocate all risk between Client and Contractor. This must take into account the management and control of risk which materialize.

Types of Construction Contracts

There are various types of contract strategies in construction industry. Some of the main choices available are:

• Traditional Contracts

A consultant (or team of consultants) undertakes the process of feasibility, detailed
design, and contract preparation. A tender process follows and thereafter construction
installation and commissioning by the appointed contractor. The consultants who
developed and designed the project supervise these.

• Design and Build

A consultant undertakes the process of feasibility, establishing the client’s basic needs
and contract preparation. A tender process follows and thereafter the appointed
contractor undertakes detailed design, construction, installation and commissioning.
This type of contract is also known as turn key or prime contracts

• Management contracts

The client initially appoints consultants to undertake feasibility and costing and
perhaps outline design.A management contractor is appointed early in the project life and has considerable design input.

The management contractor’s responsibility is to prepare and appoints trade contracts or supply packages. Separate contracts are drawn up for independent parts of the construction project. A large amount of work is divided amongst several contractors.

• Build Own Operate Transfer (BOOT)

In its many forms a BOOT contract not only includes the initial design and
construction of the facility but a continuing maintenance and perhaps refurbishment
of over a number of years until final transfer to the client. Finance is often provided
by the contractor who recovers his cost through the life of the project. Other terms are
PFI, PPP etc

The concession agreement is the structured contract between the client and contractor.
It identifies and allocates risk. 

Modes of Payments

The two main payment systems used in construction contracts are:

• Price Based: this system consists of lump sum and admeasurements. Prices or rates are submitted by the Contractor in his tender
• Cost Based: This payment system consists of cost-reimbursable and target cost. The actual costs are incurred by the contractor and reimbursed, together with a fee for overheads and profits.
• Price Based Payment System

Risk Allocation
A prime function of the contract is to allocate risk. The identification and
consideration of risk is a logical way to develop the organisational and contractual
policies for any project. Some of these uncertainties will remain whatever type of
contract is adopted and the contractor must then include a contingency sum for them
in his tender.
Different levels of risk contingencies can explain the wide range of bid prices
frequently received for admeasurements contracts. Another consequence of risk is that
fewer contractors are prepared to respond to or submit unqualified bids.
All parties to a project are at risk to some extent whatever the contract between them,
for instance that work may be frustrated by the forces beyond their control. If so, the
time lost and all or some of their consequent const may not be recoverable. The
choice of type of contract can motivate (or fail to motivate)

 

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Buying property for FREE

It’s sounds unbelievable but every entrepreneur knows that it does not take money to make money.

Today we are sharing ideas on how to buy property ( Real Estate) with no money down.

Many real estate investors think that money will make or break a real estate deal. A lack of funds can stop a potential purchaser from bidding on a property. However, it is possible to purchase real estate with no money from the buyer’s pockets. If the deal is right, the funding can easily fall into place.
Although there are many ways an investor can purchase real estate without handing over a down payment at settlement, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of each type of agreement before signing on the dotted line. Here are some examples of no-money-down real estate deals:
BORROW THE MONEY
Probably the easiest way to purchase a property with no money down is by borrowing the down payment. Either find a lender offering a low interest rate, or use a home equity or other line of credit loan (friends, family, other network) or you can also borrow from your real estate broker – arrange to borrow the broker’s commission for a short time and use those funds for the down payment.

In Kenya, banks are the typical lenders but there also exists hard money lenders. You may be limited by the amount or the interest rates may be too high. The key however, is to to determine beforehand whether the income from the property can be able to equal or exceed the monthly (or annual) loan repayments.
ASSUME THE EXISTING MORTGAGE
Some purchasers can use a “subject to” contract, where the buyer uses the seller’s existing financing for part of the purchase price. Using the seller’s existing financing is especially successful if the current loan has a low interest rate. The buyer receives the title to a property in return for making payments on the seller’s mortgage.
LEASE WITH OPTION TO BUY
Many purchasers do not realize that they may be able to rent a property from the owner with an option to buy. Under the terms of the lease/option agreement, the buyer and seller negotiate a sum to be paid at regular intervals for use of the property. This agreement allows the lessor to purchase the property at a predetermined price during the term of the lease. Usually, a portion, and sometimes all, of the rental payments will be credited toward the purchase price.

NEGOTIATE THE DOWN PAYMENT

Along with everything else in a real estate contract, the amount of the down payment and who pays it is almost always negotiable. A buyer may elect that the seller pay the down payment, or give credit at closing for the buyer’s down payment. A buyer could also request to pay the down payment in installments, whether in monthly installments or as a balloon payment at the end of the year.

Real estate transactions, like all other business transactions, can be customized

SWAP PERSONAL PROPERTY

Anything you own may be useful as a cash substitute for a no-money-down deal. For example, if the seller is planning to retire, your unused motor home would probably be much more valuable than a cash down payment. Cars, furniture and appliances are all acceptable replacements for a cash down payment.
EXCHANGE YOUR SKILLS

A buyer may be able to offer skills instead of cash. Accountants, contractors, mechanics, plumbers, doctors, lawyers, and so on, all have tradable skills that would be useful in lieu of a cash down payment.
TAKE ON A PARTNER

Finding other cash buyers is another way to purchase a property with no money down. However, this could get messy as other hands get into the deal. To simplify this process, you can organize the deal on a smaller scale by bringing in one or two more people at the most. In return for their financing, you can promise to take on the responsibilities of putting together the deal and managing the real estate investment.

OFFER A HIGHER PRICE OR BETTER TERMS

Again, Real estate transactions, like all other business transactions, can be customized. Some owners may be willing to accept a higher price for the property, even if it comes in installments, in lieu of accepting a down payment.

EXCHANGE PROPERTY
If you already own property, you may want to exchange it for another property. You could either exchange the property with a buyer, or use it in combination with a small amount of cash to obtain the property you want.

it does not take money to make money

The key to getting these kind of deals is research and actively searching for such opportunities. You must also think outside the box and remember, NEVER make the first offer.

 

Email us at info@stroikagroup.org for consultation.

PROJECT PLANNING PROCUREMENT

There are various types of construction projects. These include building construction, heavy or civil engineering works and industrial construction work. Civil works here include the construction of roads and bridges while industrial works deal mainly with medicine, petroleum, chemical, power generation, manufacturing industries. Buildings generally require a significantly smaller teams but this varies depending on the nature of the project. Individual residential buildings require a smaller group or number of individuals compared with high rise commercial buildings. Industrial construction require larger groups of people working together to bring a project to completion.

Construction procurement is involved with the acquisition of the above mention construction works. The methods of procuring buildings rely mainly on the type of contract that has been entered into between the client and the contractor. The four basic types of contacts include:

• Separated contracts/ Traditional ( Lump sum contracts,  Measurement contracts, Cost plus percentage)
• Management contracts( Management contract,  Construction management contract,Design, management and construction contract)
• Integrated contracts (Design and build contract,  Turn-key contract, Build own, operate and transfer (BOOT))
• Discretionary contracts (Partnership, Joint venture)

Traditional Procurement methods
Separated contract or traditional procurement systems are those in which the design and construction stage are separated. The traditional structure for project procurement is seen as a sequential method because the employer takes his scheme to an advanced stage with his professional team before appointing a contractor.

The designer/architect is employed to advise the client, design and ensure that the work is kept within the cost limit and that it complies with the standards required. A Quantity Surveyor can be engaged to give guidance on design costs and budgets, prepare bills of quantities, check tenders, prepare interim valuations and advise on the value of variations.

The contract price/sum is often based on a bill of quantities provided by the Quantity Surveyor which quantifies, so far as possible, every aspect of the works. Consultant structural and services engineers may be employed by either the client or his advisers to design the specialist parts of the project.

Generally, the separation of responsibilities for design and construction causes difficulty in ascertaining whether defects in the outcome are a result of designing or the quality of workmanship. Designing defects render the client liable for losses while workmanship and material quality liability are borne by the contractor.

These types of contracts are usually characterized by inadequate or incomplete designing before construction commences and consequently problems in the determination of the final costs of a project. The various types of separated contracts are discussed below.
Lump sum contract are consequently separated contracts where the contractor gives an estimate of the total cost of a project. This type of contract is effective where all design parameters are measurable. A lump sum contract is compiled after the project briefs, proposals; preliminary and detailed designs have been completed. This type of contract is time consuming as all the required details must be made available before tendering commences. It also has the disadvantage of uncertainty. Before tendering for this type of project, it is important to determine the buildability of the project.
Measurement contracts on the other hand rely on an item by item means of measuring quantities. The tender documents are supplied along with a detailed bill of quantities. The bill of quantities included details on the item serial number, quantity, unit of measurement and the amount required.
The cost plus percentage contract is applied in small project. It is similar to the measurement contract except that an additional cost of the percentage of actual cost is added to the gross sum i.e. after adding the price of individual items.

Management Contracts
Management contracts involve the services of a contracted management contractor. The management contractor role ensures that a large number of small subcontractors do not send their quotations. The key roles of this individual include preparing the overall schedule, prepare the work package schedule and to coordinate with the designers in the project.
The construction management project involves a construction manager who assists in procurement, managing the project and coordinate activities. The duties of the construction manger include advising the designers, assisting in procurement and managing the building process.
Design, management and construction projects involve an individual or consultancy taking responsibility for the entire construction process. The client however, is responsible for calling for tenders. The clients also sublet the designing and building of the project to subcontractors in practice.

 Integrated Contracts
Integrated contracts include the design and build contract. In this case an individual usually an architect or the engineer is responsible for the entire construction project. This eliminates contractor-designer conflicts. This kind of contract is adopted where the client has no in-house design and engineering departments. The key advantage of this type of contract is the technical expertise and the reduction of unnecessary law suits.
The turnkey contract involves contractors’ roles include surveying, drawing, designing, constructing and testing the output for the client. The client simple ‘turns the key’. The advantage of the turnkey include the fact that the project benefits from a large technical capacity and that it may include on the job training on how to operate on the site.
The build own,operate and transfer (BOOT) contract involves an agreement between the contractor and the owner to the effect that after construction is complete, the contractor can operate the facility for a given duration. This type of contract takes place where the client seeks alternative sources of funding project and is common in the public sector.

The client can raise funds in the contractor’s court to effectuate this contract. Because of the long term nature of this type of contract it is important for both parties to assess the associated project risks and these may be social, economic and political risks of undertaking this kind of project. An example of this would be a BOT contract formed by hydro-electric power plants. In these cases, private companies are contracted to build a power plant and later on operate it for a given duration say 15 years after which ownership may change.

Discretionary Contracts
Discretionary contracts include the partnership and Joint venture. In a partnership, the contractor and the client form a partnership .construction commences after the project goals have been set. Disputes between them are settled through their stated (in the contractual agreement) means of dispute resolution.

A partnership agreement will usually define the means of operation that is how the project will be planned, designed and executed. This type of contacts can be long-term or short term. Short term partnership agreements are those that are agreed upon for say a set project period or until completion of a project.
Joint ventures are necessitated by the inadequacies of individual contracting firms. The firms merge forming a ‘mini-company’. These firms also establish a Memorandum of Understanding and internal articles for the duration of the project. The different parties to a joint venture each contribute staff to the new merged company.

The most widely used procurement method in Kenya today is the traditional system of procurement. However, the choice of management contracting is a preferred alternative especially for larger project due to the necessity of proper resource management.

Planning building cost for construction (Location)

Now that you have decided to build a home, the next stage is to plan for construction.  The aims  of cost planning are to:

1.  Ensure that you are provided with value for money.
2. Make you, as the home-builder, and designers aware of the cost consequences of their proposals.
3. Provide advice to designers that enables them to arrive at practical and balanced designs within budget.
4.  Integrate costs with time and quality.
5. To keep expenditure minimal

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION….

In real estate as in business, the choice of location has a tremendous impact on cost and opportunities. It is therefore important to select a location which will favor you as home builder.

For example the cost per meter squared of building a home in Nairobi can be Kshs. 43,000 but constructing a similar unit in Nakuru can be KShs. 40,000. That Kshs. 3000 difference  counts for a significant relief on your wallets.

Generally, building costs tend can to vary between locations due to one or more of the following factors:

• materials/products available or commonly used;
• ground conditions normally encountered;
•  material/product prices due to distance from place of manufacture or distribution;
•  distance from labor source;
•  local regulations;
•  labor productivity (e.g. due to adverse climatic conditions);
•  builder’s risk and market conditions;
•  labor rates – In Kenya,the rates for labor  especially for individual home builders, is determined by personal negotiations with the the key contractor.

Another factor closely related to location is the characteristics of the land/plot

LAND CHARACTERISTICS

These are the geographical influences on land, including topography, climate, soil conditions, area, availability, cost and liability to earthquakes and  flooding. In the past.

1. Soil or geological conditions

These may have a bearing on the pattern of land use, the density and costs of development. Foundation type and complexity for any particular building are determined by the subsoil conditions. Unstable soil conditions can and the climatic conditions can also play their part in influencing development.

2. Topography

This can also influence building costs. Whilst elevation and views (particularly as development moves up a hill) are generally considered desirable, it comes at a premium. Generally, the cost of building on steep slopes is greater than that of building on level sites.

As home builder, it is important that you choose a suitable location before commencing planning any further.

Contact us at info@stroikagroup.org with your inquiries today.

ESTIMATING THE COST OF CONSTRUCTING YOUR HOME (KENYA)

Thinking of building a new home? Here are some tips…

1. Contact Local Builders

Meet with builders who construct houses that are similar in size, quality, and features to the home you want. Builders will tell you how much per square foot they usually charge for home construction. If you ask, some builders will provide you a list showing the materials they will use.

Our independent consultants offer advice on material sourcing, costing and labour fees for only 3% of the cost.

Submit your building material request now.

2. Count the Square Footage
Look at newly constructed homes that are similar in size, style, quality, and features to the home you want. Take the price of the home, deduct the price of the land, and divide that amount by the square footage of the home.

For example, if the home is selling for KES 16.3 Million and the land costs KShs. 300,000, then the construction cost is around KShs. 16 million. If the home is 2,000 square feet, then the cost per square foot is Kshs.8000.

Use several new homes in your area to get an approximate square footage price. After you have calculated an average square footage cost, you can multiply that cost by the finished square footage of your house plan to get a ballpark estimate.