Construction sector getting smarter one app at a time

The construction industry is witnessing major digital disruptions with a raft of software applications riding on web and mobile platforms, and offering new solutions for a variety of the sectors’ needs.

In the past one year or so, several digital applications have been unveiled, promising an assortment of gains for property developers. These include reduced costs and time for construction projects as well as the convenience of a one-stop shop for construction materials and various expertise required in the entire chain of projects. Almost all construction processes and tasks now can be carried out at the clique of a button on a smartphone.

According to the World Economic Forum, new technologies are playing a key role in reducing construction costs, and significantly cutting down completion timelines of projects while improving quality of structures.

“Wherever the new technologies have properly permeated this fragmented industry, the outlook is an almost 20 per cent reduction in total life cycle costs of a project, as well as substantial improvements in completion time, quality and safety,” WEF said in a report.

One of the innovators in the Kenyan construction ecosystem is Kishan Banderi who launched www.inuua.net in partnership with a group of architects, interior designers and software developers. Their aim is to create a sector-wide platform to provide construction materials and services.

Mr Banderi said he saw a business opportunity in reduction of costs and making the construction process convenient for developers and property owners.

“Developers and property owners have less time to move around seeking the best bargain,” he said.

Mr Banderi, who has been in the construction industry for 22 years, said his platform has attracted 2,000 active users since it was launched about a year ago.

House plans

The London School of Economics graduate said 20 plans for residential homes meant for middle income and high income earners has already been floated on the site with more planned for uploading. Buyers of the plans, which cost Sh20,000 each, and the cost of each stage of construction. All plans have been certified and the architects will receive a commission for each plan sold.

Users of the Inuua platform, the innovator said, will enjoy reduced prices for cement purchases, as the platform will consolidate orders, enabling buyers to enjoy economies of scale.

Another digital platform targeting the sector is iBuild, which brings together contractors and different categories of construction workers. It also enables monitoring of the project from start to finish, reducing the number of personnel needed to perform various assignments.

Also on iBuild platform, one is able to search and find qualified contractors, track and manage their projects, assess budgets of corresponding structures, project costs as well as timelines, all at the click of a button on their smartphones.

“It is a virtual marketplace where customers directly engage with architects, lenders, artisans, material suppliers, and certified contractors,” says Aggrey Wangwe, the firm’s marketing director.

“The platform also helps in monitoring construction work, rating and certifying workers’ skills and processing payments.”

iBuild’s core objective, noted Mr Wangwe, 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 quality services to our clientele,” he said.

“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 Four agenda.”

Mr Wangwe said the platform is also a great digital resource for job seekers from of all cadres, including artisans. iBuild, he added, is helping the unemployed easily get jobs. “With a wide range of jobs existing on the platform, it is easy for someone with the right set of skills to get something to do and earn a living,” he said.

Database

Another innovator, Kimani Gitau has set up a digital platform known as Ujuzy that has database for plumbers, painters, electrician and carpenters based in Nairobi. The app is available on a smartphone and gives users an opportunity to seek professionals near their construction site.

“We have uploaded details for local companies and individuals in the building space on our apps available on Google playstore and Apple Store,” Mr Gitau said.

The platform also verifies artisans’ competencies with regulatory authorities that now require artisans to register annually.

Paul Kimani, an electrical and electronic engineering graduate of University of Nairobi, partnered with his college mate Jackson Kung’u and political scientist Margaret Wangu to claim their space in the construction sector through innovation.

The three came together in 2013 to found Tozza Plus, an automated HR cum payment platform that links main offices to their remote project sites via a geo-fencing system available on a mobile biometric scanner.

Mr Kimani said field foremen are given a specialised biometric reader cum phone where workers log in the morning and log out in the evening.

“Property owners do not have to be on site to supervise operations but receive up to-the-minute reports on work done. Pictures are taken indicating work progress and number of employees cannot be ‘cooked’ by dishonest project supervisors where they exaggerate numbers enabling them to steal cash from their employers,” he added.