Contractor or Fundi? Who You Hire Can Make or Break Your Project

If you’re about to start building, you’ve probably hit that tough question, who do you trust with your project? A professional contractor or a local fundi you’ve heard good things about?

Of course, everyone wants to make the most of their budget. And honestly, getting someone cheaper who you believe will deliver sounds like a good deal. A contractor will definitely charge more than a fundi,  but don’t get me wrong, that doesn’t mean fundis are bad at their job. Not at all. Some of them are really good at what they do, especially when it comes to the actual building work.

The truth is, each one has their place. The fundi is the doer; the one who gets his hands dirty and brings your walls to life. The contractor, on the other hand, is the planner — the one who sees the bigger picture, coordinates everyone, and makes sure what’s built today still stands strong ten years from now.

The real trouble starts when we mix up the two — when we expect a fundi to run an entire project like a contractor. That’s where most homeowners get burnt.

Contractor vs Fundi: What’s the Real Difference?

A fundi is your practical guy, usually self-taught or trained through experience. He knows how to mix mortar by sight, can plaster a wall neatly, and probably learned his craft on someone else’s site years back. He’s hands-on, fast, and often very creative when it comes to fixing problems.

A contractor, on the other hand, comes with structure. They’re registered, usually NCA-certified, and they work with a team — architects, engineers, quantity surveyors. They deal with timelines, budgets, building codes, and accountability. They don’t just build; they manage the entire process from the foundation to the final finish.

The biggest difference is systems. A fundi builds from experience. A contractor builds from standards. Both can get the job done — but the outcome, the durability, and the peace of mind can be very different.

The Temptation of “Cheap”

Here’s where many people go wrong. You get that quote from a fundi and it’s half of what the contractor asked for. You convince yourself you’re being smart, saving money, cutting out the “middleman.” But what looks cheaper now might be what drains you later.

Because when corners are cut in materials, measurements, or supervision,  you’ll end up paying twice. Once for the fundi, and again for the person who comes to fix the mistakes. Sometimes, you don’t even notice until it’s too late — when cracks start showing, tiles pop, or rain starts seeping in.

So, yes, a contractor may cost more upfront. But they save you the hidden costs, the endless headaches, and the sleepless nights that come with managing fundis on your own.

But Not All Fundis Are Bad

Let’s be fair. Kenya has some incredible fundis out there — men and women who’ve built houses with precision and passion. Some have worked under contractors and picked up solid skills over the years. The issue isn’t that they’re bad,  it’s that they often work without structure.

Even the best fundi can make costly mistakes when there’s no one coordinating the work, checking the drawings, or planning the next stage. That’s where a good balance comes in, hire a contractor or a qualified site supervisor to manage your fundis. That way, you get the best of both worlds: the fundi’s skill and the contractor’s system.

Common Mistakes Homeowners Make

1. Choosing based on price, not skill. Cheap is expensive in construction.
2. No written agreement. A handshake won’t help when the walls start cracking.
3. Not checking credentials. Always confirm if your contractor is registered with the National Construction Authority (NCA).
4. Micromanaging or disappearing. Hover too much and you frustrate the team; stay away too long and you’ll return to surprises.
5. Skipping supervision. Every bag of cement, every bar of steel, needs oversight — otherwise, you’re building on hope.

So, Who Should You Hire?

It depends on what you’re building.

• If it’s a small project — maybe an extension, a perimeter wall, or a mabati structure,  a skilled fundi might be enough, as long as there’s supervision.
• But if you’re putting up a full house, an apartment, or anything with serious investment behind it,  go for a contractor. It’s not just about finishing the job; it’s about doing it right.

Think of it this way; a fundi can build your house, but a contractor ensures it stands the test of time.

Conclusion

In the end, construction isn’t just about walls and roofs. It’s about trust, systems, and good judgment. Who you hire matters. Because a house isn’t only built with bricks , it’s built with decisions.

So before you pick your builder, remember this: your home will only be as strong as the hands that built it  and the wisdom that chose those hands.