Fixing a Costly Door & Window Mistake | Ep. 16 – Building a Home in Zimbabwe While Abroad

In this episode, we move on from roofing to installing windows and external doors, but not without a few lessons learned the hard way.

After installing the Chromadek IBR roof in the previous episode, it was time to close up the buildings. Unfortunately, some rookie mistakes around door frames meant undoing work, removing doors, and fixing structural issues properly, including adding lintels where they should have been installed from the start.

We also take a trip to Harare Road to visit a local aluminium workshop run by a young Zimbabwean entrepreneur, where our custom aluminium windows and doors were manufactured. I explain why I decided not to import windows and doors from China, and why long term maintenance and local support mattered more to me than higher specification imports.

Back on site, you will see how we corrected the mistakes, rebuilt doorways, straightened pillars, and finally installed the windows and doors, bringing both the staff quarters and cottage much closer to completion. As always, I break down the real cost of the windows and external doors, with no estimates and no shortcuts.

If you are building in Zimbabwe, especially from the diaspora, this episode highlights why fixing mistakes early, supporting local craftsmen, and thinking long term can save you money and stress.

#BuildingInZimbabwe #DiasporaBuild #ZimbabweConstruction #BuildingFromAbroad #HomeBuildJourney #WindowsAndDoors #AluminiumWindows #AluminiumDoors #HouseConstruction #SelfBuild #Zimbabwe #Bulawayo #Harare #SupportLocal #MadeInZimbabwe #RealBuildCosts #ConstructionMistakes #LearningOnTheBuild #FixingMistakes