Labour costs on a Congolese building site

Labour typically accounts for 25–35% of a build budget in the DRC, against 40–50% in Europe. That is the reverse of the Western pattern: here materials dominate, because they are imported or hauled over long distances, while labour remains plentiful and inexpensive.

Day rate or piece rate?

• Day rate: simple to manage, but the pace depends entirely on your presence on site.
• Piece rate (a lump sum per element): more common for masonry and tiling, and usually cheaper when the quantities are properly defined.
• Main contractor: the builder carries the risk and coordination, for a 10–20% margin.