How to monitor building progress properly

"The slab is almost done" can mean many things. Monitoring progress well means agreeing in advance what "done" looks like, then checking it consistently.

1. Start with a programme

Ask your contractor for a simple schedule showing each stage, its expected start and finish, and its dependencies. It doesn't need specialist software — a clear table is enough. Without a baseline, you can't measure delay.

2. Define milestones that can be verified

Good milestones are physical and visible: "ground floor slab cast and cured", "walling to ring beam complete", "roof covering fixed and watertight". Avoid milestones like "50% of superstructure", which invite disagreement.

3. Use photos — but use them properly

• Take photos from the same fixed positions each visit so progress is comparable.
• Make sure photos are dated and show enough context to identify the location.
• Photograph hidden work (reinforcement, plumbing in walls, foundations) before it's covered.
• Short walk-through videos help remote owners understand the whole site.

4. Inspect at critical points

Some moments matter more than others: excavation before concrete, reinforcement before every pour, roof structure before covering, services before plastering. Plan inspections around these, not just around calendar dates.

5. Keep a written record

A short report after each visit — what was seen, what complies, what doesn't, what's recommended — becomes your project history. It protects you in disputes and makes handover far easier.

6. Link progress to payments

Release money only when the milestone it relates to has been verified. This is the single most effective way to keep a project on track.

If you can't be on site yourself, an independent supervisor can do this for you. Kenyans abroad can read managing contractors when living abroad.

This article is general guidance for property owners in Kenya and is not a substitute for professional advice on your specific project. Regulations, requirements and prices change — confirm current details with the relevant authority or professional.