Victor Ndung’u Mungai is an established construction guru and architect. He combines the education he gained from school with his creative streak to design exquisite homes for clients. In 2017, he established his company, Ridadi Designers and Constructors.
With his contemporary vision and architectural insights that pay attention to details, the company has offered bespoke living spaces to their clients for over five years.
In addition to being an architect, he also has an eye for interior design.
WoK spoke with Victor about his career, his architectural approach, company, and some details and basics of his construction business. Read on to find out more about his incredible journey.
Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do
My name is Victor Ndung’u. I am a house designer and architect by profession.
Why did you choose to study architecture?
Originally, I chose it because it is a very creative profession, plus the fact that some of my family members, including my father, are in construction.
How did your childhood affect your career choice?
When I was younger, I used to go for site visits with my dad. From that I learnt a lot about construction, house designs and architecture. I think my interest stemmed from that, especially because some of my uncles are also architects, and my father is into the construction business.
How did you start your company?
I started my company in late 2017, while still in campus. I initially started with interior design, then later pursued architecture as a profession.
What are your thoughts on the current real estate market in Kenya?
It is a good industry, but you have to be on top of your game. Integrity is key in this industry. You must be very good at what you do.
What sets you apart from other architectural companies?
What distinguishes us from others is we are very serious on our projects. We give the best offers for our clients. We are also very trusted and loyal to our clients. We do good recording and integrity is also a huge part of our transactions. This has help us to build a strong foundation for us and our clients.
What are some of the challenges you face in your career?
Some people charge their services cheaply, then do a shoddy job. This then sends a bad picture for majority of clients, who think that all architects do this. Gaining trust locally and building a solid clientele has been a difficult task because of this.
Another challenge is delayed payments. When clients delay to make payments, other tasks and projects are consequently affected.
What would you say has been the highlight of your career?
My biggest highlight I would say is working for people and getting referrals. This is proof that you we done a good job, giving us the motivation to continue.
What are some of the tips you can give to homeowners who are looking to get good architects?
I would advise homeowners seeking these services to always ask for the company’s profile and physical office. They should also ask for referrals to previous clients. This will give them a window to gauge the authenticity of the company.
What hard lessons have you learned from your experience so far?
I have learned that there are very few trusted companies in the market. For this reason, we have vowed to uphold utmost integrity to our clients. This is going to help us build a solid clientele moving forward.
What would you describe as your worst experience in your line of work?
Like I mentioned earlier, it is the challenge of delayed payments. I remember working for someone and going a long while without receiving payment. This really affected the flow of work for the company.
How can people reach you for services?
Customers can reach us through our email ridadidesigners@gmail.com or through my mobile number 0712 796754
What is your advice for a beginner in the profession?
For anyone looking to get into this profession, my advice is simply start. Take a leap of faith and have passion. They should also focus more on quality service delivery as opposed to getting to it for the money only.
