The Shocking Cost of a Modest Home in 2026: What You’ll Pay for a 1-Be

In 2026, the cost of building a modest one-bedroom home in Greater Accra can range from GH¢190,000 to GH¢330,000 with standard finishes. This estimate, based on current construction rates, takes into account various factors such as location, soil condition, size of the building, architectural design, materials, and labour charges.

Building a Decent One-Bedroom House

A basic version of a one-bedroom bungalow could start around GH¢144,000, while premium finishing can push the cost towards GH¢450,000 or more. However, these figures are estimates rather than fixed prices, and construction costs depend on various factors.

Breaking Down the Costs

Excavation and foundation work come first, followed by blockwork, concrete, and roofing. The homeowner must then budget for windows, doors, electrical wiring, plumbing, ceilings, tiles, painting, kitchen fittings, and the bathroom. An indicative budget could look like this: excavation and foundation work (GH¢20,000 to GH¢40,000), blockwork and concrete (GH¢30,000 to GH¢60,000), roofing (GH¢15,000 to GH¢30,000), and finishing works (GH¢80,000 to GH¢150,000).

Factors Affecting Construction Costs

Construction professionals caution that there is no universal price per square metre that applies to every house. Site conditions, structural requirements, and the quality of finishes can cause two similarly sized houses to have significantly different budgets. A simple roof, standard aluminium windows, locally available tiles, and sanitary fittings can keep the project closer to the lower end of the range.

Obtaining a Detailed Bill of Quantities

Before starting construction, homeowners should obtain architectural drawings and a detailed Bill of Quantities to determine what their particular one-bedroom house is likely to cost. This will help them plan and budget for the project accordingly. Current 2026 estimates put cement around GH¢75 to GH¢101 per bag, while concrete blocks can average about GH¢6.20 each.

What to Expect Next

Homeowners looking to build affordably can reduce the bill by keeping the floor plan compact and avoiding complicated architectural features. However, construction costs are still increasing, although at a relatively moderate pace, as indicated by the Prime Building Cost Index recorded year-on-year inflation of 2.7% in May 2026.

Source: Yen ALL