How much does it cost to build in Benin.

Why we don't give a price per square metre

Two houses of the same size can vary twofold depending on the soil, the number of storeys, the finishes and access to the land. A price per square metre announced without a study is reassuring, but it is often behind sites that stop for lack of budget.

The cost items of a construction

• Before the works: land checks, soil study, architect's plans, building permit.
• Structural work: earthworks, foundations, walls, columns, slabs.
• Roof: framework and covering. At the end of this stage, the building is “weathertight”.
• Finishing: electricity, plumbing, joinery, tiling, plaster and paint.
• Outside and connections: fencing, sanitation, water (SONEB) and electricity (SBEE) connections.
• Fittings: kitchen, bathrooms, air conditioning, furniture if you let furnished.

What makes the budget vary

• The type of soil, which determines the foundations.
• The plan: an extra storey costs differently from a single-storey extension.
• The level of finish, often underestimated at the start.
• The location of the land and access for lorries.
• Changes in material prices, especially cement and steel, over the duration of the works.

How to avoid overruns

1. Only cost the project after the soil study and on final plans.
2. Require a detailed quote, item by item, with quantities.
3. Include a contingency allowance from the start.
4. Tie each payment to a verified stage: start, weathertight, handover.
5. Have the site supervised on the ground, with dated photos and reports.

This is the method we apply: quote drawn up after a soil study and on final plans, contingency allowance included, price fixed in the contract, payments in three stages.