Common Signs of Poor Workmanship in Buildings in Kenya
Whether you are building your own house, developing real estate or buying a completed unit, knowing how to identify poor workmanship can save you from costly repairs and disputes later.
Workmanship simply refers to the level of attention to detail given to a task. In construction projects, good workmanship complements the architectural and engineering design of the project. It preserves the function, aesthetics, form, and overall quality of the building.
As an occupant or client, it is also important to understand that quality construction requires the right level of investment. If you are building a house, you need a competent team of consultants and a reliable contractor. If you are buying a house, you need a developer who has worked with such a team. In many cases, shortcuts taken to reduce costs eventually result in higher expenses through repairs and maintenance.
Most people only associate poor workmanship with obvious issues such as honeycombing in concrete beams or uneven paintwork. However, there are many other indicators that can reveal underlying problems. One effective way to assess workmanship is to review the different elements of the building.
Quick and Easy Checks:
Foundation
- Signs of dampness or mold appearing along the lower sections of the walls.
- Soil behavior around the building, particularly if there are signs of settlement or erosion.
- How water collects around the building after rainfall, as poor drainage can weaken the foundation.
Slabs, Beams & Columns
- Visible cracks, unevenness, sagging, or vibration in slabs and structural elements.
Walls and Floors
- Plumbness of walls, ensuring they are straight and not leaning.
- Method of jointing of wall stones or blocks, particularly where walls are not plastered.
- Cracks at wall junctions, especially where walls meet columns.
- Uneven texture on plastered surfaces.
- Uneven color tones on painted walls.
- Visible brush marks on painted surfaces.
- Peeling or bubbling paint.
- Uneven alignment of tiles or other floor finishes.
- Hollowness in floor finishes when stepped on, which may indicate poor bonding.
Doors, Windows & Cabinets
- Doors or windows that operate with excessive friction when opening or closing.
- Misaligned or mismatched frames and boards.
- Opening and closing mechanisms that do not function smoothly.
- Plumbness and proper alignment of frames.
Roofing
- Placement and sealing of roofing nails.
- Flashing around roof joints, especially where roof sections meet.
- Visible holes when viewed from the ceiling level.
- Proper water collection and drainage through gutters and downpipes.
Plumbing and Drainage
- Presence of grease traps in kitchen manholes for proper waste management.
- Water supply connections into the house and protection of pipes.
- Proper connection and interconnection of manholes to ensure effective drainage flow.
If you are buying property, it is important to visit the unit and inspect these elements carefully before committing your investment.
If you are building, it is equally important to make random visits on site or to have a professional overseeing the works to ensure the contractor delivers according to the agreed standards.
In conclusion, most workmanship problems arise when construction activities are not properly supervised. Professional construction management ensures that these issues are even prevented in the first place.
In construction projects, good workmanship complements the architectural and engineering design of the project.
For more information, reach out to us via info@rickfes.co.ke
At Rickfes Construction Ltd, we provide professional construction management services that protect your cash flow, optimize productivity, and prevent cost overruns. For clients and contractors in Kenya, our role is to oversee execution, coordinate all stakeholders and ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and to the highest standards.
