Construction guide · Sources checked 23 September 2026
A contractor’s registration certificate is not the same thing as registration of the building project itself. That distinction is easy to overlook when a homeowner is focused on the cost of materials and the date construction can begin.
The National Construction Authority’s project guidance places the registration responsibility on the developer. It says owners should apply within 30 days of awarding the construction contract and describes project registration as free. It also lists the documents and professional approvals needed.
Prepare the project file early
NCA’s requirements include registered contractors with valid practising licences, appropriately registered consultants, approved drawings, county approvals and other applicable regulatory permissions. A signed contract, the developer’s KRA PIN and relevant consultant commitments are also listed.
The practical implication is to organise the project as a documented process, not a collection of verbal arrangements. Ask the professionals involved who will prepare each document and how the developer will receive a copy.
Verify the application separately
Use the official NCA project portal or contact the authority for assistance. Retain the application reference and confirm the project’s status rather than assuming that a contractor has completed registration on your behalf.
Free registration does not mean that design work, county approvals or every other project requirement is free. Obtain separate written quotations and official payment instructions where charges apply.
The relevant permissions depend on the project and location. Registration is one part of compliance and does not replace proper design, supervision or safe construction practices.
Reporting note: Prepared with AI assistance from the official sources linked in this article. Photo: SuaveKevinKariuki / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Building construction in Nairobi. Archive photograph; not a compliance assessment of this project. Resized for display.
