Hardware & Building Materials: A Complete Shopping Checklist for Kenyan Projects

Walking into a hardware store without a clear list is one of the most common and costly mistakes in construction project management. It leads to forgotten items, duplicate purchases, wrong specifications, and wasted trips. This comprehensive hardware & building materials checklist is designed to help Kenyan developers, contractors, and homeowners plan their procurement effectively.

Use this checklist as a starting point for every phase of your construction project. At Pioneer Hardwares in Ruaka, you will find all the hardware & building materials listed below — available for purchase in store or by arrangement for delivery.

Phase 1: Groundworks and Foundation

Hardware & Building Materials Required:

**Structural Steel:**
– [ ] Deformed steel bars (specify diameters: Y8 / Y10 / Y12 / Y16 / Y20 / Y25)
– [ ] Binding wire (16-gauge)
– [ ] BRC fabric mesh (for slab reinforcement)

**Concrete Materials:**
– [ ] Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC 42.5N or 32.5N)
– [ ] Coarse aggregate (ballast) — specify volume in m³
– [ ] River sand — specify volume in m³

**Formwork:**
– [ ] Shuttering plywood (18mm)
– [ ] Formwork timber (50x100mm, 50x150mm)
– [ ] Form release oil
– [ ] Concrete spacers (cover chairs)

**Waterproofing:**
– [ ] DPC (Damp Proof Course) membrane
– [ ] Waterproofing compound/admixture
– [ ] Bituminous waterproofing membrane

Phase 2: Superstructure — Walling and Columns

Hardware & Building Materials Required:

**Walling:**
– [ ] Concrete hollow blocks (150mm or 200mm)
– [ ] Cement for mortar
– [ ] Sand for mortar
– [ ] Pre-cast lintels (various lengths)
– [ ] Wall ties and anchors

**Columns and Beams:**
– [ ] Deformed rebar (as per structural drawings)
– [ ] Formwork plywood and timber
– [ ] Concrete nails for fixing formwork
– [ ] Column clamps or form ties

Phase 3: Roofing

Hardware & Building Materials Required:

**Structural Roofing:**
– [ ] Timber for rafters, ridge board, ceiling joists
– [ ] Steel purlins (if applicable)
– [ ] Structural bolts and washers

**Roofing Covering:**
– [ ] Roofing sheets (corrugated or box-profile, specify gauge)
– [ ] Ridge capping
– [ ] Self-drilling roofing screws with neoprene washers
– [ ] Galvanized nails (if using timber battens)

**Gutters and Drainage:**
– [ ] Gutters (PVC or galvanized)
– [ ] Downpipes
– [ ] Gutter brackets and downpipe clips

Phase 4: Plumbing Roughing-In

Hardware & Building Materials Required:

**Water Supply Pipes:**
– [ ] uPVC pressure pipe Class D (specify diameters: 15mm / 20mm / 25mm / 32mm)
– [ ] PPR pipe PN20 (for hot water, specify sizes)
– [ ] Pipe fittings: elbows, tees, couplings, reducers
– [ ] Gate valves and ball valves
– [ ] Pipe clips and brackets

**Drainage:**
– [ ] uPVC soil and waste pipe (110mm)
– [ ] uPVC drainage fittings: bends, tees, junctions
– [ ] Inspection chambers and covers
– [ ] Gully traps

**Storage:**
– [ ] Overhead water storage tank (specify capacity)
– [ ] Tank connectors and float valve

Phase 5: Electrical Roughing-In

Hardware & Building Materials Required:

**Wiring:**
– [ ] PVC twin and earth cable 1.5mm² (lighting)
– [ ] PVC twin and earth cable 2.5mm² (sockets)
– [ ] PVC single-core cable (as required)
– [ ] Armoured cable (for underground runs)

**Conduit and Accessories:**
– [ ] PVC conduit 20mm
– [ ] PVC conduit 25mm
– [ ] Conduit bends, tees, and inspection boxes
– [ ] Back boxes for switches and sockets
– [ ] Junction boxes

**Distribution:**
– [ ] Consumer unit (DB board) — specify number of ways
– [ ] MCBs (circuit breakers) — specify ratings
– [ ] RCDs (residual current devices)

Phase 6: Plastering, Screed, and Finishing

Hardware & Building Materials Required:

**Plastering:**
– [ ] Cement (for plaster mix)
– [ ] Sand (soft sand for plaster)
– [ ] Plasticizer admixture

**Screed:**
– [ ] Cement (for screed mix)
– [ ] Sharp sand
– [ ] Floor screed primer

**Tiling:**
– [ ] Floor tiles (specify type: ceramic / porcelain, and size)
– [ ] Wall tiles (bathroom and kitchen wall tiles)
– [ ] Tile adhesive (standard or flexible)
– [ ] Tile grout (specify colour)
– [ ] Tile spacers (specify size: 2mm / 3mm / 5mm)
– [ ] Silicone sealant (matching grout colour)

Phase 7: Painting and Decorating

Hardware & Building Materials Required:

**Paint:**
– [ ] Concrete primer / masonry sealer
– [ ] Interior emulsion paint (specify colour and quantity)
– [ ] Exterior masonry paint (specify colour and quantity)
– [ ] Gloss paint for woodwork and metalwork
– [ ] Anti-rust metal primer

**Application:**
– [ ] Paint brushes (various sizes)
– [ ] Paint rollers and covers (various nap depths)
– [ ] Paint roller frames and extendable handles
– [ ] Paint trays and liners
– [ ] Masking tape
– [ ] Dust sheets

Phase 8: Fittings and Fixtures

Hardware & Building Materials Required:

**Doors:**
– [ ] Door hinges (butt or concealed)
– [ ] Door handles (lever or knob)
– [ ] Mortise locks
– [ ] Door stops
– [ ] Threshold strips

**Windows:**
– [ ] Window stays and fasteners
– [ ] Window locks

**Bathrooms:**
– [ ] Toilet pan and cistern
– [ ] Wash hand basin and pedestal
– [ ] Bath or shower tray
– [ ] Shower screen
– [ ] Towel rail and bathroom accessories

**Electrical Fittings:**
– [ ] Light switches (1-gang, 2-gang)
– [ ] Power sockets (single, double)
– [ ] Light fittings (specify type for each room)
– [ ] LED bulbs

Shop Your Complete Hardware & Building Materials List at Pioneer Hardwares

Pioneer Hardwares in Ruaka is your go-to destination for all the hardware & building materials listed in this checklist. Their comprehensive product range, competitive pricing, and delivery service make them the perfect procurement partner for construction projects of all sizes in Nairobi.