Ruiru has become one of the busiest new-build corridors in the Nairobi metropolitan area, with gated developments off Thika Road, Kamakis and Membley handing over bungalows, maisonettes and townhouses to first-time owners every month. Most of these are sold as shell-and-core or with only basic finishes, which means the owner budgets for interior finishing separately.

Here is what a complete finishes package covers, room by room.

What “shell finish” usually means in Ruiru

Most developers hand over with plastered walls, a basic screed floor, standard doors and windows, and minimal or no kitchen fittings. Ceilings are often left as bare slab or basic skim. Everything beyond that is the owner’s decision and budget.

Living and dining areas

This is usually where owners spend the most, since it is the space guests see first. A gypsum ceiling with a simple drop and downlighting is the standard upgrade from bare slab, and it is one of the highest-impact changes per shilling spent. See Gypsum Ceilings & Integrated Lighting. Flooring choices for Ruiru’s typical maisonette living areas run between porcelain tile, which is the local default, and vinyl or SPC, which is gaining popularity for comfort and quieter underfoot feel. Full options on our Floor Installation Services page.

Kitchens

Kitchens in shell-finish Ruiru houses arrive with plumbing points but no cabinetry. Budget for full fitted cabinets, a worktop, splashback tiling and often a breakfast bar in the more generous maisonette layouts. Our Kitchen Cabinets, Wardrobes & Joinery service covers this as a complete package rather than piecemeal cabinet orders.

Bedrooms

The main upgrades are built-in wardrobes, since most units are handed over without them, plus flooring and a painted or lightly detailed ceiling. Laminate or vinyl flooring is the common choice for comfort underfoot. See Modern Wardrobes Designs and Bedroom Interior Design.

Bathrooms

Shell-finish bathrooms typically have plumbing roughed in but no tiling, sanitaryware or vanity units fitted. This is one of the more expensive rooms per square metre because of waterproofing, tiling labour and fittings. See Bathroom Interior Designs.

Walls and painting

Interior painting across the whole house is usually the final stage, once wet trades are complete. Feature walls in the living area or main bedroom, using fluted panels or wall cladding, are an increasingly popular upgrade for owners wanting a distinct look without a full renovation. See our Painting & Special Effect Finishes and Wall Cladding & Wainscoting Installation pages.

Indicative budgets for Ruiru house types

For a standard three-bedroom maisonette in Kamakis or Membley, a complete finishing package covering ceilings, flooring, kitchen, wardrobes, bathroom tiling and painting typically falls in the [insert range] band. A two-bedroom bungalow finishes for less, in the [insert range] band. Every figure depends on material grade chosen and the condition of the shell handed over.

Book a Free Site Visit in Ruiru

We finish new homes across Ruiru, Kamakis, Membley, Juja and the wider Thika Road corridor, with one team covering every room.

Contact Suimas Interior Designers
Phone / WhatsApp: 0717 044 443 | 0739 255 050 | 0725 021 709
Email: info@interiordesigners.co.ke | info@suimas.co.ke
Website: interiordesigners.co.ke
Location: Solar House, Fourth Floor, Nairobi

We serve all 47 counties across Kenya.

Complete Interior Finishes Package for a New House in Ruiru