Hiring a fundi (a skilled tradesman you manage yourself) is usually cheaper on paper and works for small, simple jobs where you can supervise every day and buy the materials yourself. Hiring a CRB-registered contractor costs more per square metre but gives you one company responsible for the whole build, engineers who check the structure, a written contract with a fixed scope and price, and someone to hold accountable if things go wrong. For a storey building, a commercial project, a house you cannot supervise in person, or any build on difficult ground, a registered contractor is the safer choice.
What is the difference between a fundi and a contractor?
A fundi is a craftsman: a mason (fundi mjenzi), carpenter, plumber, electrician or welder. Many are excellent. When you build "with fundis", you are acting as the main contractor yourself. You hire the trades, buy and store the materials, organise the order of work, check quality and pay each person.
A registered contractor is a company licensed by the Contractors Registration Board (CRB) in a class that matches the size of your project. The company employs or subcontracts the trades, supplies materials, manages the site and signs a contract with you. Our guide to CRB contractor classes explains what the classes mean.
| Fundi (you manage) | Registered contractor | |
|---|---|---|
| Who manages the site | You | The contractor |
| Who buys materials | Usually you | The contractor (in the price) |
| Engineering checks | Only if you hire an engineer | Engineers on staff or appointed |
| Contract | Often verbal or simple | Written contract, scope, programme |
| Price | Lower headline cost | Higher, but fewer surprises |
| Your time | A lot, often daily | Site meetings and stage inspections |
| If something goes wrong | Hard to recover money or time | Contract terms, retention, defects period |
When does building with a fundi make sense?
- Small, simple jobs: a boundary wall, a store, a single-storey extension, a renovation.
- You live nearby and can be on site most days.
- You understand the basic stages and know what good work looks like, or you pay a private engineer for key checks.
- You have a trusted fundi with work you have seen yourself, not just photos.
Even then, have proper drawings and get the foundation and any concrete structure checked by an engineer. The money saved on supervision is often lost on wasted materials, poor concrete and rework.
When should I hire a registered contractor?
- Storey buildings and anything with a concrete frame. Columns, beams and slabs must be built exactly to the structural drawings. See building a storey house.
- When you live abroad or in another town. You cannot manage fundis by phone. Our guide to building from abroad covers this.
- Commercial, rental or institutional buildings, where delays cost money and inspections are stricter.
- Difficult sites: black cotton soil, slopes, high water tables or coastal plots.
- When you need a fixed price for a bank loan or investment plan.
Is a contractor really more expensive?
The headline price usually is, often by 10 to 25 percent, because it includes management, overheads, insurance and profit. But owner-managed builds often go over budget through material theft and waste, wrong quantities, rework and long delays. Many families who chose fundis to save money end up spending as much, over a longer time. Compare the full cost, not the labour rate. Our guide to contractor prices in Dar es Salaam gives typical rates.
How do I protect myself either way?
- Get approved drawings and a building permit before work starts.
- Have a written agreement, even with a fundi: scope, price, stages, who buys what, and how long.
- Use a bill of quantities so prices can be compared line by line.
- Keep a site diary with photos, especially of foundations, steel before concrete, and roof fixing.
- Check references and visit finished jobs.
- Watch for the warning signs of construction scams.
Can I mix both approaches?
Yes, and many families do. A common split is a registered contractor for the structure (foundation, frame, walls and roof) and trusted fundis for finishes such as tiling, painting and carpentry, which you can see and judge yourself. Agree clearly who is responsible for what so the contractor's defects period is not argued over later.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a contractor is registered?
Ask for the CRB registration certificate and check the name, class and expiry on the CRB website or by contacting CRB.
How much does a fundi charge per day in Tanzania?
It varies widely by trade and region, from tens of thousands of shillings a day for helpers to more for skilled masons and electricians. Many fundis prefer a price per job or per m².
Should I buy materials myself when using a fundi?
Most owners do, to control quality and price. Store them securely and keep a stock record, because losses on site add up fast.
Can a fundi get a building permit for me?
The permit application needs drawings by qualified professionals. A fundi can build to them, but should not be your designer.
Build with a team you can hold accountable
Vika Construction is a registered building and civil works contractor with engineers on every project. Contact us to discuss your build.
Found this useful? Share it with someone who is building.
