How to Budget for a Full Home Renovation in Kenya

The single biggest cause of renovation stress isn't the work itself — it's an unrealistic budget set before anyone has actually priced the project. Before you commit to a scope, it helps to understand where the money typically goes.

As a rough guide across our projects, lighting typically accounts for 20–30% of a full room renovation budget, electronics and smart home systems 25–35%, wall décor and finishing touches 10–15%, and installation/labour 20–30%, with the remainder held back as contingency. Contingency matters more than people expect — we recommend holding back at least 10% of the total budget for the inevitable surprises behind walls and under floors.

Sequencing also affects cost. Structural and electrical work should always be finalised before lighting and finishes are chosen, since changes later are far more expensive to accommodate. Where budgets are tight, we advise clients to spend on what's hardest to change later — electrical wiring, fitted cabinetry, structural lighting points — and treat decorative accents as the layer you can upgrade over time.

Our Room Cost Estimator tool gives you a realistic starting figure in minutes, broken down by category, so you can plan a phased renovation with confidence instead of guessing.