Demand for walling material in growing towns is steady, which is why block making attracts entrepreneurs, youth groups and community projects. A business still needs planning. Use this checklist before you buy equipment.

1. Research your market

Find out who builds in your area and what they use: contractors, individual home builders, schools, churches, NGOs. Visit building sites and ask what they pay for blocks, what problems they face and what they would change. Note the competing products (burnt bricks, quarry stone, machine-cut stone, concrete blocks) and their delivered prices.

2. Choose a product

Options include interlocking soil blocks, concrete blocks and paving blocks. Pick the one where you can offer clear value: lower cost, better consistency, faster delivery or a feature your competitors lack. See our costing worksheet for working out your cost per block.

3. Secure site and materials

You need space for production, curing and storage, with access to water and a reliable supply of suitable soil, sand or aggregate and cement. For soil blocks, test your soil before anything else.

4. Plan output realistically

The Standard Straight press is listed at 400 to 500 blocks a day with a crew of three to four people. Over about 22 working days, that would be roughly 8,800 to 11,000 blocks a month at full productivity. Real output will be lower during the learning phase, on rainy days and when materials run short, so build a cushion into your plan. Check the current specifications on the product page.

5. Work out your costs and price

Include materials, labour, transport, machine depreciation, shelter, licences and a small reserve. Price to cover costs and leave a margin, and compare against your competitors’ delivered prices.

6. Handle the paperwork

Requirements for business registration, tax, permits and environmental or land-use approvals vary by country and county. Check with your local authority and, where relevant, the standards body so you know what is needed before you sell.

7. Build quality control into the routine

Customers come back and recommend you when blocks are consistent. Test and record each batch, and follow good curing practice.

8. Market yourself with proof

A small demonstration structure, such as a wall, a water tank or a toilet block, is better than any brochure. Photograph your work and ask satisfied buyers for referrals.

9. Watch your cash flow

Blocks take weeks to cure, but suppliers and workers need to be paid. Plan for that gap, and think carefully before offering long credit terms.

Ready to compare equipment? Browse our machines or talk to our team.

• block making business
• East Africa
• entrepreneurship