3 Costly Mistakenly Diaspora Clients Make When Building in Ghana

Building a home or investment property in Ghana while living abroad can be rewarding. But it also comes with risks that many diaspora clients underestimate.

At Deveer & Co., we work with clients in the UK, US, and beyond. Over time, we have seen the same mistakes quietly cost people money, time, and peace of mind.

Here are the three most expensive ones.

1. Building Without Consistent Project Updates

Many diaspora clients hand over a project and expect occasional photos or calls to be enough.

They are not.

Without regular, structured updates, clients lose visibility. Decisions get made without approval. Problems stay hidden until they are too expensive to fix.

This often leads to

- Work progressing differently from the original plan

- Unexpected costs appearing late in the project

- Stress and mistrust between the client and the site team

Building from abroad requires more communication, not less. Clear updates keep you in control even when you are not on site.

2. Allowing Unapproved Decisions on Site

This is one of the biggest silent budget killers.

When decisions are made on-site without client approval, it usually starts small. A material change. A layout adjustment. A quick shortcut to save time.

But these choices add up.

Unapproved decisions can result in

- Design changes that affect structure or finishes

- Extra costs that were never planned for

- A final outcome that does not match the original vision

If you are not present, every decision must be documented, approved, and tracked. Anything else puts your project at risk.

3. No Professional Site Supervision

Distance makes supervision more important, not optional.

Without daily professional oversight, mistakes go unchecked. Poor workmanship gets covered up. Quality drops while progress appears to move forward.

The result is often

- Rework after completion

- Structural or finishing issues later on

- Higher long-term maintenance costs

Supervision is not just about watching workers. It is about protecting standards, timelines, and your investment.

Build With Confidence From Anywhere

Building in Ghana from abroad does not have to be stressful.

The key is visibility, accountability, and structure. When updates are consistent, decisions are approved, and supervision is constant, distance stops being a disadvantage.

At Deveer & Co., we help diaspora clients build with clarity. From planning to supervision to reporting, we make sure you always know what is happening on your project.

Whether you are building your first home or an investment property, the right systems make all the difference.

Planning to build in Ghana from abroad?

Reach out to Deveer & Co. and let us guide you through the process with confidence.

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