Cost of building a house

Cost of building a house in Cameroon

Cost of building a house in Cameroon is very important because about 55% of Cameroonians own their home ranging from mud brick homes to cemented luxurious mansions. Our multiple ethnicities, all 278 of them, each have one thing in common, the pride of home ownership. It sets you above the rest. Home ownership elevates your status and gives you a place to call your own where no one can tell you want to do. As a result, the majority of proud owners have worked hard to achieve this goal through love sweat and tears, block by block building a day at a time using primarily their cash resources, stopping when cash is unavailable and picking up from where they stopped once a new cash stream is found. Whether you live in Cameroon or in the diaspora and you have just purchased a prime piece of real estate/land in Cameroon the Cost of building a house in Cameroon will weigh heavily on your mind.

Cost of building a house in Cameroon will depend on many factors, I have included some of them here:

1. Your budget (if you have one. Yes many individuals have no budget they have an idea but aren’t certain and often get duped for failing to do due diligence)
2. Whether you will be financing a portion or the entire investment. (Credit Foncier is the top mortgage institution in Cameroon). Contact SECPE to get details on how to get a mortgage. info@www.secpeinvestments.com
3. Whether it will be rented or it is for personal use
4. The size of the home you want to build. How many rooms, bathrooms, living rooms etc
5. Amenities you wish to provide (luxury vs affordable)
6. The size, topography of the land you are to develop
7. The location, city, rural, outside the city walls, etc.
8. Whether you intend to do this yourself or hire professional help.

Cost of building a house in Cameroon – Myths

The myth that building a home by yourself will be cost effective is the single most reoccurring mistake future homeowners will make. Many homeowners have lost a lot of money entrusting their projects to ‘semi’-professionals, providing mediocre work creating long lasting errors that are often never corrected, resulting in work you are not pleased with. In Cameroon, Architectural and real estate investment firms are available to work with you to build your home. The key is to find the right partner. There are a plethora of them to choose from and each professional can spin his/her own tale. So how do you know? You don’t! You have to ask around, you have to make the effort to verify the credentials, see his/her work if available, know his/her years of experience, connections available, check references, does he have an office, dedicated phone number, office assistant? does he answer his calls or return them within 24 hours. (See Blog how do I choose the right professional for me in Cameroon)

So how does one figure out the cost to build? Most of the data available are for construction in the cities of Douala, Yaounde, and Buea (the number 1 consumer of cement 2015). Values will vary so it is wise to consult with a consultant. SECPE Investments is poised and ready to work with you to provide a cost effective time and reasonably delivery of your home.

Costs to look out for include:

a) Geographical Feasibility studies – varies (Optional)
b) Getting Electricity and Water – 390,000xaf
c) Getting Construction Permits Issued by Municipality – In upwards of 500,000xaf
d) Structural Engineer – duration of project approximately 1,200,000xaf
e) Architectural designer in upwards of 800,000xaf
f) Timber – Iroko Wood ranges 18,000xaf per sheet (about w sheets make a door!)
g) Trucks of Sand and stone 200,000xaf per load
h) Cement – Approximately 4,800xaf per bag
i) Iron/ Aluminium approx. 3,300xaf per sheet
j) Accessories inside- Varies

According to the Centre for Affordable Housing in Africa, the cheapest newly built house by a developer recorded is 12,000,000xaf (US$ 20 246), which is a 200 square metre unit. Cement prices are lower than the continental average. New homes in the cities of Douala and Yaounde will average 38,000,000xaf. These prices include expenses for hiring professionals.

Point to note, your home will be as expensive as the accessories you place In it. Tiles can range from 3,000xaf square metres to 33,000xaf square metres, toilets, cabinets, lighting, fixtures can escalate costs and in many instances when not checked, these costs may cost more than the value used to buy the land and build the shell/structure in place. Hence it is wise to pre-select your budget and do everything in your power to stick to it. I know easier said than done.  Our fees are reasonable… Contact us at info@www.secpeinvestments.com or fill out our contact form or Call Tel 237 222 209 880 for details.