Building a House in Dar from Abroad: How to Buy Materials Safely

You are in London, Dubai or Houston, and your house is going up in Dar es Salaam. Every month you send money home for cement, steel and roofing, and every month you wonder how much of it actually became materials on your site. You are not alone: it is one of the biggest worries for Tanzanians building from abroad.

The problem: money goes, but what arrives?

When cash passes through several hands, it is hard to know the real price paid, the quantity bought or whether it reached the site. Receipts get lost, prices get "rounded up" and materials sometimes go to another project.

Order the materials yourself

On Ujenzi Direct you can browse building materials online, compare prices in TZS and place the order yourself, from anywhere. You choose the product and the quantity, and you see the delivery fee before you pay. Your fundi or relative only needs to receive the goods on site.

Paying from abroad

• Use the payment options shown at checkout. Digital payments go through the payment provider, and prepaid orders are held in escrow until the order is completed.
• If you choose cash on delivery, the person you trust on site pays only by the method shown on the order and keeps the receipt.
• Never pay a driver or anyone else on a personal number, and never pay extra "tips" for delivery.

Delivery to your site, or collection

• We deliver within the Dar es Salaam Region only, Monday to Saturday, 07:00 to 18:00.
• Our target is delivery within six hours of the order being confirmed, within delivery hours. Large orders may need an agreed date.
• Someone you trust must be on site to receive, count and sign for the goods.
• Alternatively, a relative can collect from the vendor's store with the order number, their photo ID and your written authorisation.

The full details are in our Shipping Policy.

Match what you paid for with what arrived

1. Keep the order confirmation for each order.
2. Ask the person receiving to send you a photo of the delivery note and of the goods when they arrive.
3. Check counts: number of cement bags, bundles of steel, pieces.
4. Report any shortage or damage straight away, ideally within 48 hours. You can follow each order on the Track Order page.

Budget in phases

Instead of sending one large amount, fund one phase at a time: foundation, walls up to the ring beam, roof, services, then finishing. Ask your fundi or engineer for the quantities of each phase, order exactly those, and keep a 10–15% reserve for price rises and surprises.

Frequently asked questions

Can I pay from abroad?

Yes, use the payment options shown at checkout. Availability can depend on your payment method and provider.

Who receives the delivery?

An adult you trust must be on site to receive, count and sign for the goods.

Do you deliver outside Dar es Salaam?

Not at the moment. We deliver within the Dar es Salaam Region only.

Start with your next phase: browse all categories, or call us on +255 763 410 038 if you need help planning an order.