AI can end pain of costly construction

When Moses Kamau finally decided to build his family home in Murang’a, it was to be the start of a beautiful chapter.

He had saved for years, drawn up plans and hired a contractor who said the house would cost not more than Sh3 million.

However, at the time the house was almost complete, Kamau had spent close to Sh7 million. It was unbelievable that an initial cost would double by the end of the project!

Kamau’s story reflects the frustration of Kenyans who embark on construction projects with hope, only to face inflated costs and poor workmanship. At the heart of this is transparency and accurate data.

For decades, construction has operated on trust and intuition. Contractors make estimates based on experience, not data; homeowners make payments based on faith, not proof. This human-driven system leaves room for error, misunderstanding and exploitation.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionise construction. With the ability to analyse large sets of data, AI can help predict material requirements, flag suspicious estimates and forecast budget overruns. By studying previous projects and regional cost trends, AI can generate realistic, evidence-based budgets.

AI-powered project monitoring can bring transparency to construction. Imagine homeowners receiving real-time updates on progress, material deliveries and timelines and all this being backed by verifiable data.

Contractors would benefit too. Clear digital records can help them plan better, manage resources efficiently and build stronger client trust.

Of course, technology must be coupled with integrity, skilled oversight and regulation. It can act as the guardrail that keeps projects on track and stakeholders honest.

Kenya’s construction boom is not slowing down yet families are paying far more than they should. It’s time to embrace digital transformation.

A dream home should cost what it should and not twice as much.

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Mr Wanyoike is Director, Smart Build Solutions. [email protected]