The institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya (IQSK) on Thursday launched cost Handbook. President IQSK, Qs. Jennifer Musyimi said that the idea to collaborate in issuing cost information to the construction industry was mooted sometime last year during a networking session in order to reduce the ambiguity in the market and assure credibility of the information which is highly relied upon.
“This handbook therefore is the culmination of year-long efforts to accurately collect and analyze construction cost data,” she said.
The handbook contains information on construction costs in Kenya for select items and buildings types.
The prices are based on averages of data collected from various quantity surveying firms and construction companies across the country.
Musyimi observed that the information published is meant for guidance and should be adjusted on a project by project basis to take into account factors such as location, specifications of building materials, wall to floor ratio, floor to ceiling heights.
She added that the handbook will continue to be updated on a biannual basis with occasional notes being issued to the public.
Joel Arumonyang, the principal secretary for the state department for public works said that handbook will help Kenya to expand its construction sector through building certainty into the industry.