COMPARISON BETWEEN CONSTRUCTING A MAISONETTE VERSUS A BUNGALOW.

COMPARISON BETWEEN CONSTRUCTING A MAISONETTE VERSUS A BUNGALOW.

Construction costs between maisonette types versus bungalow types of the same plinth area are more or less equal.

FOUNDATION.

Assuming the maisonette will have 50m2 of ground floor and 50m2 of first floor plinth area, there will be savings on the foundation costs since the maisonette will have a foundation that is half the size of the bungalow which will have all the 100m2 area on the ground floor.

Foundation costs between 10 to 20 % of the total cost of construction so if the foundation quantities are halved, then the cost of construction is also reduced.

ROOF.

The maisonette will also have half the roof quantities compared to a bungalow type which will have all the 100m2 plinth area to be roofed.
Roofing costs around 15% of the total cost of construction. If this quantity is halved, then the costs are reduced.

SUSPENDED SLAB ON FIRST FLOOR.

A bungalow type of house does not have an extra suspended reinforced concrete slab for the first floor level. This translates to a saving compared to a maisonette type that has the extra cost of the suspended slab.
For a 100m2 maisonette, the suspended slab will cost an average of an additional KES 100,000.

GROUND LEVEL LAND SAVED FOR FUTURE USAGE.

A maisonette will also save on the footprint ground level space in that the house owner can in future utilize the space for additional construction, agriculture or landscaping as opposed to a bungalow type.

AESTHETICS.

Aesthetically speaking, maisonettes due to their elevated shape look more imposing than their bungalow type counterparts.

SECURITY.

Maisonettes also offer a better psychological assurance of security since the bedrooms are located on the first floor level which is not easy for burglars to access as opposed to bungalow types.

CLASS.

In terms of class, maisonettes will appear more expensive and classy than the same sized bungalow, hence increasing the house ownerโ€™s social status among his /her peers.

LABOUR COST.

Due to the need for construction materials to be transported to the ground floor, there will be a slight increase in the cost of labour for maisonette types as opposed to bungalows.

LAND COST.

In areas where an eighth of land costs more than KES 1,000,000, this means the cost per m2 of land is above KES 2,000. The cost of constructing a suspended first floor slab is also a minimum of KES 2,000. Therefore, by building a suspended slab on the first floor, you will have added more surface area to your plot at an equal or lower cost than the cost of your land.

If the land cost is lower than KES 1,000,000 per an eighth, then this means that the cost of land is lower than the cost of the first floor slab so it would be more feasible to build a bungalow that eats up a larger ground floor footprint as opposed to a maisonette which the slab will cost more than the land cost.

CONCLUSION.

Therefore, the choice between a maisonette and a bungalow house type can be guided and advised by the above issues.

Architect Francis Gichuhi kamau
www.a4architect.com
info@a4architect.com
+254721410684


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22 responses to “COMPARISON BETWEEN CONSTRUCTING A MAISONETTE VERSUS A BUNGALOW.”

  1. kairu mungai Avatar
    kairu mungai

    informative piece. Wanted to kknow the most cost effective no of levels to build when doing flats. eg. compare four levels and five levels.Thaks.

    1. frank Avatar

      Hi Kairu, 5 levels will be more cost-effective considering economies of scale.Your budget will determine whether to build 1,2,3,4,or 5 storeys.
      Regards,

  2. kairu mungai Avatar
    kairu mungai

    Thaks architect

  3. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    What would be the approximate cost of building a 3 and 4 bedroomed maisonette in Kitengela on 1/4 an acre plot. Just a rough estimate.

  4. Belinda Avatar
    Belinda

    Hi Kindly advise what would be the estimated cost of a 4 bedroom maisonette in Isinya

    1. Arch. Francis Gichuhi Kamau. Avatar

      between 4m to 8m depending on the size of rooms and quality of the finishes.

  5. Felix Avatar
    Felix

    Hi please advise how much A five bedroom house on an 1/8th will cost?

  6. Musa Mutwiri Avatar
    Musa Mutwiri

    Hello Architect,
    Thanks for that informative analysis.
    Kindly advise me, I want to build a simple 3 bedroom house measuring 30 by 40 feet.
    According to you, which would be more economical, to put a cement slab or a mabati roof (royal mabati box profile)?
    Thanks.

    1. Arch. Francis Gichuhi Kamau. Avatar

      hi Mutwiri, mabati is cheaper, by like 20 to 40% cheaper than concrete.

      1. Musa Mutwiri Avatar
        Musa Mutwiri

        Thanks alot Architect, for the reply. At least now I can make an informed decision.
        One Fundi had previously told me that if you put together the cost of mabati, timber for trusses and then the ceiling, it will be higher than the cost of reinforced cement slab.
        Thanks again.

  7. felicia Avatar
    felicia

    Hello architect i hv a 50 by 100 think of putting up a house i want a massionet but my hubby says bungalow are cheaper what is averange cost of a slab would we save much on bungalow

  8. brenda mbithe Avatar
    brenda mbithe

    hello architect.this was helpful. could you estimate for me the cost of building a 3br bungalow excluding land.
    is it cheaper than a maisonette, in this case?

  9. Faith Avatar
    Faith

    Hi architect kindly what are the requirements needed to get an approval by county if I am to construct a 4bedroom maisonette

    1. Lydiah Avatar
      Lydiah

      Hi architect How much will a 3 bedroom house cost in Ruiru

    2. Arch. Francis Gichuhi Kamau. Avatar

      it depends on which county, each county has different set of by laws for specific areas. Eg the bye laws governing maisonettes in Kahawa Sukari are different from Karen which are different for Syokimau etc etc

  10. Franklin Avatar
    Franklin

    Great insight, Thank you very much!

  11. Paul Nyokabi Avatar
    Paul Nyokabi

    Want a build a 4 bedrooms mansion in kiamumbi kiambu,each bedroom with bathroom and shower,dinning room for 12 sitters sitting room for 3 sets and a big kitchen and a garage for one if the house is 50 square feet, what is the estimation cost .

  12. GM Avatar
    GM

    Quite informative, thanks a lot. Tell me, what is average cost of putting up a 4 BRM, maisonette in Ruiru, master ensuite and with 2 bathrooms? Would 2m do the whole structure & finish at least 2 rooms and the lounge?

    1. Arch. Francis Gichuhi Kamau. Avatar

      Thanks, yes, 2m should finish the super structure only.

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