Building Spaces. Transforming Lives. T&T brings construction and interior design together to create practical and beautiful spaces for homes and businesses.
Building Spaces. Transforming Lives. T&T brings construction and interior design together to create practical and beautiful spaces for homes and businesses.
One of the first questions every Nairobi homeowner asks is: “How much will this renovation actually cost?”
The honest answer is: it depends. But you can plan much better once you understand the realistic ranges and the factors that move the price up or down.
This guide gives clear 2026 benchmark figures for residential renovations and interior fit-outs in Nairobi and surrounding areas (Kiambu, Ruiru, etc.). Figures are drawn from current market rates and are intended as planning ranges, not fixed quotes.
| Level of Work | Typical Cost per m² (KSh) | What It Usually Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Light refresh | 8,000 – 15,000 | Paint, lighting upgrades, minor repairs, small fixture changes |
| Mid-range full renovation | 25,000 – 40,000 | Flooring, gypsum ceilings, kitchen & bathroom updates, electrical & plumbing upgrades, good quality finishes |
| High-end full renovation | 45,000 – 65,000 | Premium materials, custom joinery, feature walls, better lighting design, higher-spec sanitaryware |
| Luxury / custom | 65,000 – 120,000+ | Marble or engineered stone, bespoke millwork, smart home elements, imported finishes |
Note: These figures cover materials + labour for the renovated area. They usually exclude loose furniture, appliances, VAT, and major structural changes.
| Property | Light/ Cosmetic | Mid-Range | High-End/ Full Fit-Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (≈50–60 m²) | 400,000 – 900,000 | 1.2M – 2.2M | 2.5M – 5M+ |
| 2-bedroom apartment (≈80–100 m²) | 700,000 – 1.5M | 2M – 4M | 4M – 8M+ |
| 3-bedroom house / maisonette (≈120–150 m²) | 1M – 2.5M | 2.5M – 5.5M | 5.5M – 12M+ |
| 4-bedroom house | 1.5M – 3.5M | 3.5M – 7M | 7M – 15M+ |
Note: Kitchens and bathrooms almost always take the biggest share of the budget (often 35–50% combined).
Estimate your 2026 renovation budget range instantly based on property size, tier, and location in Nairobi.
Cosmetic (paint + flooring) is far cheaper than moving walls, re-plumbing, or full electrical rewiring.
Local tiles and MDF cabinets vs imported stone, solid timber, and custom joinery can double or triple the cost of the same room.
Areas such as Karen, Runda, Lavington and Kileleshwa often carry a 10–40% premium compared with Ruaka, Ruiru, South C or Embakasi because of higher labour, logistics costs and compliance requirements.
Older houses frequently hide issues (weak floors, outdated wiring, water damage) that only appear once work starts. A 10–15% contingency is wise.
Proper working drawings and a clear material schedule reduce costly on-site changes. Skipping this stage often ends up more expensive.
Cement, steel, transport and skilled labour costs have continued to rise. Buying key materials early or in bulk can help lock in better rates.
Pro advice: Work with a team that handles both design and implementation — fewer handovers usually mean fewer surprises.
Truth and Tikva Building Works
Every project is different. The most accurate way to know your number is a site assessment and a scoped quotation based on your actual space, preferred finishes and timeline.
If you are planning a renovation, interior fit-out or full design-and-build project in Nairobi or the surrounding counties, tell us about your space and we will give you clear next steps and a realistic cost range.
Get in touch with our design and building team to receive an itemised Bill of Quantities (BQ) and transparent timeline tailored to your exact property.
Request a Project Quote Chat on WhatsApp: 0715 118 344
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Project Discussion
Planning NoteReply
Project planningBegin with the purpose of the space, then align the building scope and interior direction around that need.
Design NoteReply
Interior planningBegin with the purpose of the space, then align the building scope and interior direction around that need.