Description

Cost of Renovating a House in Kenya: Complete  Guide

The cost of renovating a house in Kenya depends on several factors, including the size of your property, its current condition, location, materials, labour, design requirements, and the extent of renovation required. A simple home makeover may cost significantly less than a complete renovation involving kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, ceilings, electrical systems, plumbing, painting, wardrobes, and custom interior finishes.

At SUIMAS, we help homeowners plan and transform outdated, unfinished, or poorly designed properties into modern, comfortable, and functional homes. Our renovation solutions are tailored to each property and client’s needs, helping you make informed decisions about where to invest your renovation budget.

Whether you own an apartment, bungalow, maisonette, townhouse, or luxury villa, understanding the cost of renovating a house in Kenya is an important first step.

This guide explains estimated renovation costs, the factors that influence your budget, the renovation process, and how to plan your project successfully.

Planning to renovate your home? Contact SUIMAS for a consultation and project-specific quotation.


How Much Does It Cost to Renovate a House in Kenya?

There is no fixed price for renovating every house.

The cost of renovating a house can range from a few thousand shillings for minor improvements to millions of shillings for extensive renovations.

As a general planning guide, you may consider the following indicative ranges:

Renovation Project Estimated Cost
Minor Home Improvements KSh 50,000 – 300,000+
Single-Room Renovation KSh 50,000 – 500,000+
Apartment Renovation KSh 150,000 – 3,000,000+
Partial House Renovation KSh 300,000 – 5,000,000+
Bungalow Renovation KSh 500,000 – 5,000,000+
Maisonette Renovation KSh 1,000,000 – 10,000,000+
Townhouse Renovation KSh 1,000,000 – 15,000,000+
Complete House Renovation KSh 500,000 – 20,000,000+
Luxury Home Renovation KSh 2,000,000 – 50,000,000+

These figures are indicative planning estimates, not fixed quotations. The actual cost of your project should be determined after assessing the property and defining the exact scope of work.


Cost of Renovating a House by Service

One of the easiest ways to understand your renovation budget is to look at each area separately.

Kitchen Renovation Cost

Estimated cost: KSh 150,000 – 5,000,000+

Kitchen renovations can range from simple upgrades to complete transformations.

Your renovation may include:

  • Kitchen cabinets
  • Countertops
  • Kitchen islands
  • Backsplash
  • Flooring
  • Lighting
  • Plumbing
  • Sinks
  • Appliances
  • Custom storage

The cost of renovating a house increases when the kitchen requires extensive plumbing, electrical changes, custom cabinetry, premium countertops, or high-end appliances.

Explore our Kitchen Renovation Services.


Bathroom Renovation Cost

Estimated cost: KSh 100,000 – 3,000,000+

Bathroom renovation can improve both functionality and the appearance of your home.

Services may include:

  • Wall and floor tiling
  • Showers
  • Bathtubs
  • Toilets
  • Vanity units
  • Mirrors
  • Plumbing
  • Waterproofing
  • Lighting
  • Storage

The final budget depends on the bathroom size, plumbing requirements, sanitary fittings, tiles, and selected finishes.

Explore our Bathroom Renovation Services.


Living Room Renovation Cost

Estimated cost: KSh 80,000 – 2,000,000+

A living room renovation can completely change the look and functionality of your home.

Possible improvements include:

  • TV wall designs
  • Wall cladding
  • Wainscoting
  • Feature walls
  • Flooring
  • Painting
  • Gypsum ceilings
  • Decorative lighting
  • Custom furniture
  • Built-in storage

A simple makeover will have a different budget from a premium living room transformation.

Explore our Living Room Interior Design Services.


Bedroom Renovation Cost

Estimated cost: KSh 50,000 – 1,500,000+

Bedroom renovation can focus on improving comfort, storage, lighting, and overall appearance.

Services may include:

  • Painting
  • Flooring
  • Custom wardrobes
  • Walk-in closets
  • Feature walls
  • Ceiling designs
  • Lighting
  • Custom furniture
  • Dressing areas

Bespoke joinery and premium materials can increase the overall renovation investment.


Flooring Renovation Cost

Estimated cost: KSh 100,000 – 2,500,000+

Changing the floor can instantly modernize a property.

Popular options include:

  • Ceramic tiles
  • Porcelain tiles
  • Vinyl flooring
  • SPC flooring
  • Laminate flooring
  • Wooden flooring

Your flooring budget will depend on the total floor area, material selection, removal of existing flooring, floor preparation, installation, and skirting.

Explore our Floor Installation Services.


Ceiling Renovation Cost

Estimated cost: KSh 80,000 – 1,500,000+

Modern ceiling designs can improve the appearance and lighting of your interiors.

Options include:

  • Gypsum ceilings
  • Suspended ceilings
  • Cove lighting
  • Recessed lighting
  • LED lighting
  • Decorative ceiling designs

The design complexity and lighting requirements will influence the final cost.


House Painting Cost

Estimated cost: KSh 50,000 – 800,000+

Painting is one of the most effective ways to refresh a home.

Costs can depend on:

  • Number of rooms
  • Property size
  • Wall condition
  • Surface preparation
  • Paint quality
  • Number of coats
  • Interior or exterior surfaces

A carefully selected colour scheme can make rooms feel brighter, cleaner, and more contemporary.

Explore our House Painting Services.


What Determines the Cost of Renovating a House?

Several factors influence the final budget.

Size of the Property

The larger the house, the more materials and labour are generally required.

Existing Condition

An older home may require repairs before cosmetic improvements can begin.

Potential issues include:

  • Plumbing problems
  • Electrical faults
  • Damaged floors
  • Wall cracks
  • Waterproofing
  • Roof problems
  • Structural concerns

Renovation Scope

The cost of renovating a house depends heavily on how much of the property you want to change.

Renovating one bathroom is very different from renovating an entire house.

Materials

Your choice of materials can significantly affect the project budget.

Standard, mid-range, and premium materials can have very different prices.

Custom Features

Bespoke solutions often require additional design and production work.

These may include:

  • Custom kitchens
  • Built-in wardrobes
  • Walk-in closets
  • TV walls
  • Custom furniture
  • Bespoke storage
  • Feature walls

Labour

Different renovation tasks require different specialists.

Your project may involve:

  • Interior designers
  • Carpenters
  • Painters
  • Tilers
  • Plumbers
  • Electricians
  • Gypsum installers
  • Flooring specialists

Location

The property’s location can affect transportation, logistics, material delivery, accessibility, and project coordination.


Cost of Renovating a House by Property Type

The type of property also affects the overall renovation investment.

Property Type Indicative Renovation Cost
One-Bedroom Apartment KSh 150,000 – 1,000,000+
Two-Bedroom Apartment KSh 250,000 – 2,000,000+
Three-Bedroom Apartment KSh 400,000 – 3,000,000+
Bungalow KSh 500,000 – 5,000,000+
Maisonette KSh 1,000,000 – 10,000,000+
Townhouse KSh 1,000,000 – 15,000,000+
Villa KSh 2,000,000 – 30,000,000+
Luxury Home KSh 5,000,000 – 50,000,000+

These are broad estimates intended for initial planning. A professional assessment is recommended before establishing a final renovation budget.


Cost of Renovating a House in Nairobi

The cost of renovating a house in Nairobi can vary significantly depending on the neighbourhood, property type, accessibility, materials, and scope of work.

Renovation budgets may differ between areas such as:

  • Karen
  • Runda
  • Gigiri
  • Muthaiga
  • Lavington
  • Kileleshwa
  • Kilimani
  • Westlands
  • Parklands
  • Riverside
  • Spring Valley
  • South C
  • South B
  • Lang’ata
  • Embakasi
  • Donholm
  • Umoja
  • Kasarani
  • Roysambu
  • Ruaka
  • Ruiru
  • Syokimau
  • Kitengela

Luxury properties in areas such as Karen, Runda, Gigiri, Muthaiga, and Lavington may require larger renovation investments because of their size, finishes, customization, and design expectations.

However, the location alone does not determine the final price. The actual condition and requirements of the property remain important.


How Is House Renovation Done in Kenya?

A successful renovation should follow a structured process.

Step 1: Initial Consultation

Discuss your renovation goals, lifestyle, preferences, property, and budget.

Step 2: Property Assessment

Assess the current condition of the property and identify areas requiring attention.

Step 3: Space Planning

Review the layout and identify opportunities to improve movement, storage, and functionality.

Step 4: Design Development

Develop the preferred design direction, finishes, materials, and renovation priorities.

Step 5: Scope of Work

Clearly define what will be renovated, replaced, repaired, or installed.

Step 6: Quotation and Budget Planning

Develop a project quotation based on the agreed scope of work.

Step 7: Material Selection

Choose suitable materials and finishes based on design, durability, availability, and budget.

Step 8: Renovation Works

Implement the approved renovation works.

Step 9: Finishing

Complete painting, installations, fittings, lighting, and final details.

Step 10: Inspection and Handover

Review the completed work and address outstanding finishing requirements.


How to Reduce the Cost of Renovating a House

Renovating your home does not always mean spending unnecessarily.

Renovate in Phases

If your budget is limited, divide the project into manageable stages.

Prioritize Essential Repairs

Address electrical, plumbing, structural, and safety-related issues first.

Compare Materials

Select materials that provide the right balance between quality, durability, appearance, and price.

Reuse Functional Items

Some existing doors, fittings, fixtures, or furniture may still be suitable for the renovated space.

Plan Before Construction

Design changes during construction can increase costs and cause delays.

Set a Realistic Budget

A clear budget helps you make better decisions about materials, finishes, and priorities.


Complete House Renovation Services by SUIMAS

SUIMAS provides renovation and interior design solutions for different types of residential properties.

Our services include:

  • Complete house renovations
  • Home remodeling
  • Residential interior design
  • Kitchen renovations
  • Bathroom renovations
  • Living room remodeling
  • Bedroom renovations
  • Flooring installation
  • Ceiling renovation
  • Interior painting
  • Exterior painting
  • Wall cladding
  • Wainscoting
  • Custom wardrobes
  • Walk-in closets
  • Kitchen cabinets
  • TV wall designs
  • Custom furniture
  • Lighting solutions
  • Space planning

Our services can be customized according to your property and renovation requirements.


Why Choose SUIMAS for House Renovation?

Personalized Renovation Planning

We consider your property’s needs, lifestyle, preferences, and budget.

Functional Design

Our goal is not simply to make your home look attractive. We also focus on functionality, comfort, storage, and efficient use of space.

Complete Solutions

We can help coordinate multiple renovation requirements, from kitchens and bathrooms to floors, ceilings, painting, wardrobes, and interior finishes.

Modern Interior Solutions

We help transform outdated spaces into contemporary environments that suit your preferred style.

Budget-Conscious Approach

We help you prioritize renovation requirements according to your available investment.

Attention to Detail

Careful material selection and finishing details can make a significant difference to the completed project.


House Renovation Services Across Kenya

SUIMAS provides renovation and interior design solutions across Kenya, subject to project requirements and location.

Our service coverage includes:

Nairobi, Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Taita Taveta, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, Isiolo, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Kiambu, Turkana, West Pokot, Samburu, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Baringo, Laikipia, Nakuru, Narok, Kajiado, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, and Nyamira.

For projects outside Nairobi, availability and logistics should be confirmed during consultation.


Frequently Asked Questions About the Cost of Renovating a House

How Much Does It Cost to Renovate a House?

The cost of renovating a house varies according to property size, condition, location, materials, labour, and renovation scope. Small improvements may cost tens of thousands, while major renovations can require millions.

What Is the Most Expensive Part of House Renovation?

Kitchens, bathrooms, structural changes, custom joinery, premium finishes, and major electrical or plumbing work can account for a significant portion of a renovation budget.

Is It Cheaper to Renovate or Build a New House?

This depends on the property’s existing condition and the extent of renovation required. A professional assessment can help you determine the most practical option.

Can I Renovate My House in Phases?

Yes. Phased renovation allows you to spread your investment over time while prioritizing the most important areas.

How Can I Get an Accurate Renovation Quote?

A property assessment and detailed scope of work provide a stronger basis for preparing a project-specific quotation.

Does Location Affect Renovation Costs?

Yes. Accessibility, transportation, material delivery, logistics, and project coordination can influence costs.


Explore More Renovation Services From SUIMAS

Explore additional services to help transform your home:


Get Your Cost of Renovating a House Estimate

Every property is different.

The best way to determine the cost of renovating a house is to assess the property and define exactly what you want to achieve.

When contacting SUIMAS, provide:

  • Property location
  • Type of property
  • Approximate house size
  • Photos of the existing space
  • Rooms requiring renovation
  • Desired improvements
  • Preferred design style
  • Expected budget

This information helps establish the likely scope of work and the appropriate next steps.

Call SUIMAS: 0717 044 443 | 0735 255 050 | 0725 021 709

Email: info@suimas.co.ke | shop@interiordesigners.co.ke | info@suimas.co.ke

Visit the SUIMAS Contact Page to request a consultation or quotation.