Technology

App offers one-stop shop for construction needs

build

Mobile-based iBuild app brings together all construction players. FILE PHOTO | NMG

People building a home or overseeing any construction for the first time are usually at a loss where to begin as they have no knowledge about the project.

They are faced with a set of challenges such as architectural plan, where to get the right quality of materials at an affordable price, which professional to consult during the construction process and most importantly where to find a reliable and professional contractor.

For such people, iBuild digital platform is godsend as it brings together all the stakeholders in the construction industry as well as all the materials needed for the project.

The app, which is the brainchild of the Kenya-based International Corporation, iBuild, not only brings together contractors and different categories of construction workers, it also helps in monitoring the project from start to finish.

One is able to search and find qualified contractors by reviewing and selecting contractors’ bids, track and manage their home construction and repair projects, assess their corresponding project budgets, project payments and project timelines all from the comfort of their mobile phone devices.

“The platform helps in monitoring construction work, rating and certifying workers skills and processing payments,” says Aggrey Wangwe, the firm’s marketing director.

The web platform is also aimed at lowering construction transaction costs by providing those building houses direct access to an active network of competitive housing construction services, while creating transparency of transactions among stakeholders in a project.

The mobile-based rolled out a month ago but has been undergoing trials since 2017, has already registered more than 5,000 active users.

To join the platform, you go to Google play store, search for “iBuild Kenya”, download and sign up with your mobile number.

The process is the same for Apple IOS users. The app also has a payment platform. For security purpose, each user is assigned an encrypted wallet that is accessible only through the user’sphone number and personal PIN.

Currently users can top up their wallets via M-Pesa. All the funds in users’ wallets sit with M-Pesa deposits at the respective holding banks. iBUILD does not hold any funds in its accounts.

“The platform is essentially a virtual marketplace where customers directly engage with architects, lenders, artisans, material suppliers, and certified contractors, while equipping small scale construction markets to scale up and meet the growing housing demand,” says Mr Wangwe.

The platform, Mr he adds, is meant to foster transparency in the construction industry.

He notes that those in the construction industry benefit as they are able to easily find reliable jobs, post jobs, hire workers for projects and manage payments to their teams, as well as “tracking and managing project activity efficiently and transparently through the application”.

“Our aim is to establish transparency, accountability and efficiency in the entire construction value chain. We intend to work with strategic firms in the country to ensure we provide utmost services to our clientele,” says Mr Wangwe.

“This is why as an organisation, we partner with key entities like the Kenya Engineering Technology Registration Board (Ketrb), manufacturing organisations, the ICT ministry, as well as lenders, to facilitate service delivery to Kenyan housing and construction sector, as the country strives to achieve affordable housing as part of its Big 4 Agenda.”

The firm plans to integrate more modules into system’s interface to afford its users even more services.

“We will soon incorporate the material supplier, professional and lender modules into the platform so that its users can easily network with construction material suppliers, verify the details of those they work with and connect with financial and lending institutions for financing their construction projects,” says Mr Wangwe.