You’ve contacted several construction companies in Kenya and finally received their quotations.
One contractor quotes KSh 8.5 million. Another quotes KSh 10 million. A third quotes KSh 11.2 million.
Which should you choose?
Before comparing prices, there’s a more important question: are all three contractors quoting for the same work?
A construction quotation should explain exactly what the contractor proposes to deliver, how much it will cost, and what hasn’t been included.
Without this information, the cheapest quotation could ultimately become the most expensive.
Here’s what every homeowner should look for.
1. Contractor information
Start by checking that the quotation identifies the company submitting it.
It should include:
- Registered company name
- Contact information
- Physical business address
- Quotation reference and date
- Relevant registration details
In Kenya, you should also verify that the contractor is appropriately registered and licensed by the National Construction Authority (NCA).
You can begin with the NCA’s official website, which provides access to its contractor-registration information.
The NCA also requires construction projects to be formally registered. Its project-registration guidance identifies several required documents, including approved drawings, a signed construction agreement and a BOQ summary.
Contractor verification should happen before you award the project, not after you’ve paid a substantial deposit.
For more guidance, read How to Choose a Construction Company in Kenya.
2. A clear description of the project
Your quotation should identify the project being priced.
For example:
Construction of a four-bedroom maisonette in Kiambu, approximately 220 m², with standard finishes.
Ideally, it should reference the architectural drawings and specifications used to prepare the quotation.
This matters because even modest changes in floor area or specification can substantially affect construction costs.
If you’re still establishing your budget, see our guide to construction costs per square metre in Kenya.
3. An itemized breakdown of construction costs
Avoid relying solely on quotations that provide one figure for the entire house.
A useful quotation should break the project into major components.
These commonly include:
| Construction stage | Examples of work |
|---|---|
| Preliminaries | Site establishment, temporary facilities and supervision |
| Substructure | Excavation, foundations and ground slab |
| Superstructure | Walls, columns, beams and suspended slabs |
| Roofing | Roof structure, covering and drainage |
| Doors and windows | Frames, glazing, doors and ironmongery |
| Plumbing | Water supply, drainage and sanitary connections |
| Electrical | Wiring, sockets, lighting and distribution |
| Finishes | Plaster, ceilings, flooring and painting |
| External works | Drainage, paving and other specified site improvements |
The breakdown should contain enough detail for you and your advisers to identify significant omissions.
For a substantial project, consider obtaining a Bill of Quantities so that contractors can price a consistent scope.
4. Material specifications
Two contractors might both quote for roofing but propose completely different products.
The same applies to tiles, windows, sanitaryware and electrical fittings.
Where relevant, your quotation should identify material specifications, including:
- Material type
- Quality or performance requirements
- Dimensions or thicknesses
- Brands or approved equivalents
- Installation requirements
Specifications should be sufficiently precise to establish what you’re paying for.
This is particularly important for roofing and house finishing, where product choices can significantly influence the budget.
5. Labour and subcontractor responsibilities
Clarify whether the contractor’s price includes all labour necessary to complete the quoted work.
Some companies offer comprehensive construction services, while others expect homeowners to engage particular trades independently.
Ask who will be responsible for:
- Plumbing
- Electrical installation
- Roofing
- Tiling
- Painting
- Kitchen installation
You should also establish who coordinates subcontractors and takes responsibility for their workmanship.
Otherwise, important gaps can emerge between different contractors’ responsibilities.
6. Provisional sums and allowances
This is one of the most important sections to examine.
A provisional sum is an allowance for work whose exact scope or cost hasn’t been fully determined.
For example, a contractor might include an allowance of KSh 300,000 for kitchen cabinetry.
But what happens if your preferred kitchen eventually costs KSh 650,000?
You may need to pay the difference, potentially alongside other contractually applicable adjustments.
Allowances aren’t inherently problematic. However, you should understand exactly which items remain uncertain.
Pay particular attention to allowances for:
- Kitchen cabinetry
- Wardrobes
- Sanitaryware
- Light fittings
- Tiles
- Landscaping
- Unresolved site works
A quotation containing numerous low allowances may initially appear more affordable than a competing quotation with more realistic specifications.
7. Explicit exclusions
Ask each contractor to identify what their quotation does not include.
Common potential exclusions include:
- Architectural and engineering fees
- County approvals
- Utility connections
- Water tanks and pumps
- Boundary walls and gates
- Driveways
- Landscaping
- Kitchen appliances
- Solar installations
Whether these items should be included depends on your agreement and project scope.
The critical requirement is transparency.
Before awarding the contract, make sure you understand the difference between the quoted construction price and the total amount you may ultimately need to spend.
For broader budgeting, read How Much Money Do You Need to Start Building a House in Kenya?
8. Construction timeline
A useful quotation should also state the anticipated construction period.
For example, a contractor might estimate that your project will take nine months.
However, you should clarify:
- Proposed start date
- Expected completion period
- Important construction milestones
- Circumstances that may justify time extensions
For more information, see How Long Does It Take to Build a House in Kenya?
9. Payment terms
A contractor’s quotation should explain how and when payment is expected.
Rather than focusing only on the total price, examine the proposed payment schedule.
Find out:
- How much is required upfront?
- Are payments linked to construction milestones?
- Who verifies completed work?
- How are additional costs approved?
- Is retention proposed?
For substantial projects, consider having your architect or quantity surveyor assess progress before major payments are released.
Avoid agreeing to payment arrangements that leave you financially exposed before the corresponding work has been delivered.
10. Variation procedures
Construction projects frequently involve changes.
You might decide to add another bathroom, change your roofing material or upgrade your kitchen.
Your construction agreement should explain how variations will be assessed and approved.
A practical approach is to require a written description of the proposed change, its additional cost and any effect on the construction timeline before authorizing the work.
This reduces the likelihood of unexpected bills and disagreements.
See How to Avoid Going Over Budget When Building a House.
Your contractor quotation checklist
Before accepting a quotation, use this checklist:
- Contractor’s identity and registration verified
- Project clearly identified
- Drawings and specifications referenced
- Major construction stages itemized
- Materials and workmanship requirements defined
- Labour and subcontractor responsibilities clear
- Provisional sums identified
- Exclusions explicitly listed
- Construction timeline provided
- Payment structure explained
- Variation procedures agreed
- Quotation validity period stated
- Applicable taxes and charges clarified
Remember that a quotation is not necessarily a complete construction contract. Important obligations should ultimately be documented in a properly prepared agreement.
How do you compare quotations fairly?
Once you’ve confirmed that each quotation contains the necessary information, you can begin comparing them.
A useful starting point is to request quotations from several appropriately qualified contractors using the same drawings, specifications and BOQ.
Our guide to how many contractor quotations you should obtain explains this process.
Where quotations differ significantly, ask the contractors to clarify their assumptions rather than immediately selecting the lowest figure.
A quantity surveyor can also help identify inconsistencies and evaluate the submitted prices.
Start with a construction-cost estimate
Before requesting detailed contractor quotations, it helps to know approximately how much your proposed house might cost.
MyJenga allows you to create an indicative estimate based on your proposed building’s characteristics.
As your project develops, you’ll be better positioned to discuss your budget and requirements with construction professionals.
Calculate your construction cost with MyJenga →
Frequently asked questions
Should a contractor quotation include materials?
It depends on whether you’re requesting a labour-only or labour-and-materials quotation.
The document should explicitly identify who is responsible for supplying materials.
Should I accept a quotation without a BOQ?
You can receive a quotation without a formal BOQ, but detailed quantities and specifications are particularly useful for substantial projects.
They help contractors price consistently and make it easier to understand discrepancies.
Should a quotation include payment terms?
Yes. The proposed payment arrangement should be clear before you commit to the contractor.
What if a contractor refuses to provide a detailed breakdown?
Ask why the information cannot be supplied.
An unwillingness to clarify substantial costs, exclusions or responsibilities should prompt additional scrutiny before you proceed.
Final takeaway
A useful construction quotation should answer three essential questions:
What exactly will the contractor deliver?
How much will it cost?
What could change the final price?
Don’t compare quotations using their headline prices alone.
Compare scope, materials, allowances, exclusions, timelines, payment arrangements and contractor qualifications.
The more clearly your project is documented before construction begins, the easier it becomes to manage costs and hold everyone accountable.
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