many seemingly tough problems are now at our finger tips , with the likes of uber you literally own a car just by having an application on your phone . Now even site meetings are conducted on zoom where you supervise a project as you shower .
The future of SMEs in our sector seems bleak , heightened by seemingly uncontrolled mass importation of Chinese labor , posing a very big challenge to our local labor market literally suffocating any emerging opportunity for our homegrown SMEs .
The government is not helping either , they set very stringent conditions which elbow out budding small local players . It ’ s actually funny when the conditions given are that one must have shown and have proven experience to have undertaken similar project … where in Kenya have we built a Standard Gauge Railway , or built a Multi-Storied Express Super-Highway of the magnitude envisaged ? Locals need active prop up by our government to gain the requisite experience through experiential projects .
It is high time our government engagement drastically shifted so that we only allow imported labor that plugs the gap in what is locally available , and even so , there should be a skills transfer model to infuse the badly needed expertise in our locals for future projects . It is demeaning to get imports doing basic chores that locals are more that qualified to execute .
Most Kenyan contractors have been reduced to being subcontracted for petty cash as the main jobs go to foreign firms who majestically walk to the bank with the real dollars . We are a doomed generation if this state of affairs sustains . We shall remain economically and mentally colonized for generations as long as this trend is not reversed . It makes absolutely no sense to keep lining up for loans when the bulk of the monies get remitted back in the form of imported labor consumption !
Among the biggest hindrance in quality constructions are costs . How does Houseman
address this nagging challenge ?
It is worth noting that high quality work costs as you will require qualified labor and great quality materials . However some costs are loaded on projects to take care of brokers and other agents in the onboarding matrix especially if you have to hire equipment . It is for this reason that we have invested heavily in own construction machinery , have an established carpentry and welding workshop , have our own lorries to deliver materials like sand , cement , ballast , building blocks from source , hence we pass on the cost benefits of transport to our clients . We also have our own hardware situated in Utawala where we sell the most common construction materials hence significantly reducing the total cost of production .
What is Houseman ’ s unique value proposition ? Who is your direct target market ? How do you solicit for business ?
We are paid after we successfully deliver our assigned task on any project , meaning there is always pressure to deliver to expectation otherwise we repeat at our cost until we get it right .
Our direct target market are Architects , Quantity Surveyors , Engineers , individuals who need to build residential houses , schools , hospitals , commercial buildings , offices , interior fit out works , and even construction companies needing excavation machinery works . We are NCA 2 certified for building and road works and can be trusted to deliver on any tangible project .
Our biggest source of business has been through referrals and active tendering , and we also have several repeat customers who have sustained our business in a big way . We have been involved in select exhibitions and occasionally sponsor events such as golf .
What would you say about the state of the construction sector in the country ? What key challenges are you facing in serving this market ? What in your view would give you
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