Bungalow construction has become an increasingly popular choice in Nigeria’s housing market. Known for their simplicity, single-story layout, and cost-effectiveness, bungalows are an attractive option for many home buyers. The demand for affordable housing in urban and suburban areas is driving the growth of bungalow construction across the country. These bungalows are seen mainly in the states and cities of Port Port Harcourt,Lagos, Abuja and other South West and Northern states, states in the South East like Anambra and Abia states all are more into building multi-story high buildings.
Types of Bungalows In Nigeria.
Bungalows in Nigeria come in various styles to cater to different tastes and budgets.
1. Normal Traditional Bungalows: These are simple, single-level homes with basic amenities. They are often built in rural areas or smaller towns, providing functional living spaces at a relatively low cost.
2. Modern Bungalows: These homes feature contemporary designs and upgraded materials. They often include open floor plans, modern kitchens, and larger windows. Modern bungalows are more common in urban areas where aesthetics and functionality go hand-in-hand.
3. Detached and Semi-detached Bungalows: In more densely populated areas, semi-detached bungalows are an efficient solution, allowing two households to share a single structure while maintaining privacy. Detached bungalows, on the other hand, offer more space and independence, making them desirable in suburban neighbourhoods.
Factors for Bungalow Construction
Several factors contribute to the rise of bungalow construction in Nigeria:
– Affordability: Bungalows are generally more affordable to build and maintain compared to multi-story buildings. The cost-effectiveness makes them ideal for low- and middle-income families.
– Land Availability: Bungalows require larger land plots compared to vertical structures, which is more feasible in suburban and rural areas where land is more accessible and affordable.
– Ease of Construction: With their simple design, bungalows are faster and easier to construct. This reduces labor costs and accelerates project timelines, making them attractive to developers.
– Suitability for All Ages: Bungalows are particularly well-suited for families with young children or elderly individuals due to the lack of stairs, offering a safer and more accessible living environment.
Factors Influencing the Cost of Building a Bungalow in Nigeria
The cost of building a bungalow in Nigeria varies based on several critical factors, including land prices, material costs, labor expenses, location, and government regulations. Understanding these elements is essential for anyone planning to construct a bungalow in the country. This article explores these factors and how they influence the overall construction costs.
1. Land Prices
Land prices are one of the most significant factors affecting the cost of building a bungalow in Nigeria. The price of land varies across different geopolitical zones and cities in the country. For example:
– Southwest (e.g., Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo and Lagos): In cities like Ibadan land prices are relatively affordable compared to metropolitan areas like Lagos. Prices in Ibadan can range from ₦500,000 to ₦5,000,000 per plot depending on the location, size, and proximity to amenities. In Lagos the cheapest Land can range from 8 Million Naira to 500 Million or more.
– Southeast (e.g., Abia, Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi and Enugu State): Land prices in cities like Enugu, and other South East States ranges from ₦1,000,000 to ₦10,500,000 per plot.
– South-South (e.g. Rivers State, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Edo.) Lands are fairly expensive in this zone, partially because they are oil rich states. Lands ranges from 4 Million to 25 Million Naira per plot for the cheapest.
– North West (e.g Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Jigawa, Kaduna): In the North, land is generally cheaper. In Kano, for example, land prices range from ₦300,000 to ₦1,500,000 per plot. Is higher in Kano and Kaduna.
-North East (Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba), Here Land prices are starts from 200,000 to 1 million naira cheapest.
-North Central (Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja): From 500,000 Naira to 2 Million, minus Abuja where Lands can go as high as 500 Million to 1 Billion Naira in the FCT.
The cost of land in rural areas tends to be significantly lower, while prime locations within cities or areas experiencing rapid development tend to have higher prices.
2. Material Costs
The cost of building materials like cement, blocks, roofing sheets, and finishing materials also greatly influences the overall cost of bungalow construction. Material costs fluctuate based on market conditions, transportation fees, and the availability of locally sourced products. For example:
– Cement: Prices range between ₦7500 and ₦8,000 per bag, depending on the region.
– Blocks: Depending on the type and size, blocks can cost between ₦450 and ₦600 per unit.
– Roofing Sheets: High-quality roofing materials such as aluminum sheets or long-span sheets can range from ₦3,500 to ₦6,500 per meter.
Building materials are typically more expensive in remote areas due to transportation costs, and fluctuating exchange rates impact the prices of imported materials.
3. Labor Expenses
Labor costs are another major factor influencing the total cost of building a bungalow. Skilled labor, such as bricklayers, carpenters, electricians, and plumbers, vary in price depending on their location and experience. Labor in urban areas tends to be more expensive than in rural areas, as professionals in cities often charge higher rates. For instance:
– In the Southwest, skilled labor can cost between ₦2,500 and ₦6,000 per day for bricklayers.
– In the North, labor costs are generally lower, ranging from ₦1,500 to ₦3,000 per day.
4. Location Impact
The geographical location where a bungalow is being built plays a crucial role in determining costs. Urban areas with high demand for housing, like Lagos, Abuja, or Port Harcourt, tend to have higher construction costs due to elevated land prices, labour costs, and material availability. In contrast, building in less developed or rural areas can significantly reduce costs.
Moreover, the location impacts transportation costs for materials, which can increase if the building site is far from material suppliers.
5. Government Regulations
Government regulations, such as building permits, land documentation fees, and taxes, contribute to the cost of constructing a bungalow. These fees vary across different states and cities. For instance, acquiring the necessary permits and documentation in urban centers like Lagos can be expensive due to stringent regulatory frameworks. On the other hand, rural areas might have fewer restrictions and lower associated costs.
Additionally, property developers may have to adhere to specific zoning laws, environmental assessments, and building codes, which could require extra resources to comply with.
6. Soil Type and Suitability for Bungalow Construction
The soil type in different regions of Nigeria plays a critical role in determining the foundation and overall cost of constructing a bungalow. Some soil types require more expensive foundation work to ensure the building’s stability. Key soil types across the country include:
– Southwest (Oyo,Osun, Ondo, Ogun and Lagos): This region generally has lateritic soil, which is suitable for building, although it requires careful foundation design to prevent shifting due to moisture changes.
– Southeast (Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu): The soil in the southeast is often a combination of clay and loamy soil. Clay soils tend to expand when wet and shrink when dry, requiring deeper and stronger foundations. Enugu tend to have the same red sandy type of soil that the Northen part have.
– Northern Nigeria (Kano, Kaduna): The soil in the north is primarily sandy, which drains water well but may require reinforced foundations to prevent erosion or collapse during heavy rains.
The type of foundation required (strip, raft, or pile foundation) depends on the soil type and can significantly affect the overall cost of construction.
Minimum current Cost of building a 1 bedroom bungalow in Nigeria
In order to get the total amount of building a bungalow we use a typical example of a simple 2 bedroom bungalow, this consist of 2 rooms, a parlour, Kitchen, 2 toilets and bathrooms, this was built in a location in Owerri Imo state Nigeria, this is minus fencing.
Block 2000×450= 850000 Naira.
Cement for all works =7500*100 bags=750,000 Naira
Roofing cost about =1.3 Million Naira
Then rods (16mm, 12mm mostly with binding wire) 200000
Stone =120,000 Naira
Tiles = 420,000
Plumbing works =450,000
Electrical work surface 250,000 Naira
Doors 250,000 Naira
Windows (Aluminium windows with Nets and steel protectors) = 500,000 Naira
Ceiling (normal PVC ceiling) =200,000 Naira
Workmanship for all 800,000 Naira.( This include foundation to DPC )
The Average Cost Estimation for Different Types of Bungalows in Nigeria
Current Cost of 2 bedroom building a bungalow in Nigeria
Here is the Minimum cost of building a 2 bed Bungalow (2 rooms,1 parlour, 2 toilets, and one kitchen) this is the cheapest quotation you can get. Instead of breaking it down let’s just summarize the cost, as we will write a dedicated post for it later
Foundation to DPC: rod casting 800,000
filling of DPC: 30 trips of sharp sand at 75000 Naira = 2.2 million Naira
DPC to lintel= 1.2 million Naira.
Lintel to roofing stage = include casting of lintel, plank used for casting rod to chain the whole house, decking of verandah, kitchen and others =1.5million Naira.
For the cost of building a 3 bedroom bungalow in Nigeria and minimum cost of building a 4 bedroom bungalow in Nigeria including cost of building a 5-bedroom bungalow in Nigeria, check to read it individual pages, as this type building is complicated I can’t cover everyone here.
Note:The prices here are not fixed, they subject to change, but this gives you overview of what to expect when starting your own building project.