HousePlansKenya

Nairobi Metropolitan region

House plans in Nairobi

Modern house plans and building designs for Karen, Westlands, Kilimani, Lavington, Runda, Kileleshwa, Langata, Kasarani, Embakasi, Roysambu, South B and Donholm, from flat roof bungalows and maisonettes to rental apartments, schools and churches. Our architects design for Nairobi's a mild highland climate with cool nights, two rainy seasons and, in many areas, black cotton soil, and the site visit is free.

Nairobi City County reviews building plans through its online e-development permit system, and zoning sets the maximum plot coverage and number of floors for each area.

Popular designs in Nairobi

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Designing for Nairobi

  • Black cotton soil is common in parts of Nairobi, Athi River, Syokimau, Kitengela, Ruiru and Juja. It swells and shrinks with the seasons, so foundations must go deeper to firm ground or use a raft. A soil test is strongly recommended.
  • Plots are small and expensive, so maisonettes, flat roof designs with rooftop terraces and rental apartments give you the most value per square foot.
  • Nairobi and the surrounding counties enforce setbacks, plot coverage, parking ratios and height zoning, so the design must match your zone before you submit.

Popular materials here: machine-cut Nairobi blue stone, Juja and Machakos stone, concrete block, and flat concrete roofs or clay/concrete tiles.

Getting plans approved in Nairobi

  1. 1Architectural & structural drawingsPrepared and signed by a registered architect and structural engineer. That's us, with the structural add-on.
  2. 2Submit to Nairobi CountyThe Nairobi County Government planning department reviews the drawings with your ownership documents (title deed or lease) and rates clearance.
  3. 3NCA project registrationThe contractor registers the project with the National Construction Authority before work starts.
  4. 4NEMA (larger projects)Apartments, schools, hotels and other large projects usually need an Environmental Impact Assessment licence.
  5. 5Inspections & occupation certificateCounty inspectors check the works at key stages, then issue the occupation certificate when you finish.
Estimated building costs in Nairobi (2026)
House typeSizeStandard finishPremium finish
2 bedroom bungalow85 m²KSh 3.7M – KSh 4.6MKSh 5.4M – KSh 6.7M
3 bedroom bungalow140 m²KSh 6.1M – KSh 7.6MKSh 8.8M – KSh 11M
4 bedroom bungalow205 m²KSh 9.0M – KSh 11MKSh 13M – KSh 16M
4 bedroom maisonette250 m²KSh 11M – KSh 14MKSh 16M – KSh 20M
5 bedroom maisonette350 m²KSh 15M – KSh 19MKSh 22M – KSh 28M
12-unit rental apartment960 m²KSh 42M – KSh 52MKSh 61M – KSh 76M

Indicative ranges for labour and materials, excluding land, professional fees and approvals. For an exact figure, order a Bill of Quantities or try our building cost calculator.

House plans by town in Nairobi

How it works in Nairobi

  1. 1

    Choose a plan or go custom

    Pick any design, or tell us your dream: bedrooms, floors, roof, and extras like a pool, gym or gazebo.

  2. 2

    Pay 50% via M-Pesa

    Pay the deposit securely by M-Pesa STK push, Paybill or bank. We get your order on WhatsApp and email instantly.

  3. 3

    FREE site visit

    Our architect visits your plot to check the size, slope, soil, access, views and county zoning.

  4. 4

    Pay balance & get drawings

    Clear the balance after the site visit. We deliver the full drawings, with revisions, ready for approval and your fundi.

Frequently asked questions

How much are house plans in Nairobi?+

Architectural drawings start at KSh 69,500 and are priced by floor area. Pay 50% via M-Pesa to start, get a free site visit anywhere in Nairobi, and pay the balance after the visit.

Do you do site visits in Karen and Westlands?+

Yes. The site visit is free across Nairobi, including Karen, Westlands, Kilimani, Lavington, Runda, Kileleshwa, Langata, Kasarani, Embakasi, Roysambu, South B, Donholm.

How long does plan approval take in Nairobi?+

It depends on the county's workload and on whether your documents are complete. Typically it takes 30–60 days from submission. With our approval add-on we handle the submission and follow-ups for you.

Can I get a construction loan for a house in Nairobi?+

Yes. Our partner banks offer construction loans and mortgages. We provide the drawings, BQ and valuation-ready documents the bank needs. Tick 'bank financing' when you order.

Nearby counties

Building in Nairobi? Let's design it.

Architectural drawings from KSh 69,500. Pay just 50% to start, get a FREE site visit, and pay the balance after we've seen your plot. Bank financing is available.