Introduction

            bj Consultants is a practice of Quantity Surveyors and Project managers established in 1999, wholly operated and managed by qualified construction

            professionals. The main objective for establishing the practice was to offer value-for-money, more innovative, pro-active, and tailor-made expert

            advice and services to all sectors of the public including Government, with emphasis on individual requirements and demands. The idea was

            motivated by our belief that arising due to the complex nature and fragmentation of the construction industry, and the ever-changing client

            requirements must be anticipated rather than awaited as is the case at the moment.

     Approach and philosophy

       Management and staffing

      Ms. J. Kaumba, BSc (Building Science), MAQS – Managing Director / Project Manager

         The founding member and one of the directors of bj consultants, worked for Granite Building Construction for one year after

         attaining Bachelor of Science Degree in Building at the Copperbelt University.

     PROJECTS COMPLETED BY FIRM

         Projects currently completed since the formation of bj consultants include the following;

            1.  Pop-inn Stores Shopping Complex and Offices, Gaborone (P4.0 Million)

            2.  35 no.Type “C” residential units for Debswana Diamond Mines, Orapa. (P5 Million)

            3.  Extensions to 20No. A-Band houses for Debswana Diamond Mines, Orapa (P0.5 Million)

            4.  Extensions and Alterations to Thamaga Post Office and Staff House for Botswana Post. (p0.6 Million)

            5.  AL-Nur Muslim School in Molepolole for Molepolole Muslim Community. (P3.5 Million)

            6.  Residential Development for Mr Todorovich in Phakalane. (P0.4 Million)

            7.  Residential Development for Mr. Chand in Phakalane. (P0.5 Million)

            8.  Gaborone Hotel Construction project management for Somac Botswana. (P0.7 Million)

            9.  Warehouse for Vivent Enterprises, Broadhurst, Gaborone. (P1 Million)

            10. Warehouse for Lerala Brigade (P0.5 Million)

            11. Residential development for Business systems (P1.5 Million)

            12. Residential Development in Mokolodi for Dr. Keaikitse (P1 Million)

            13. Residential Development for NDB, Gaborone (P0.7 Million)

            14. Residential Development for Mr. Richard Malikongwa, Gaborone (P0.9 Million)

      Current projects

         The following is a list of projects in progress which the practice is currently commissioned for;

1.1. Proposed Commercial Development for Sagg Investments on Plot 729 Main Mall (P0.6 Million)

     Scope of services provided

         The practice provides full ‘traditional’ Building Consultancy services for all concerns of the Construction industry as follows;

     QUANTITY SURVEYING

      1. Preparation of feasibility, viability and cost-in-use studies for various development        

          project options.

      2. Preparations of preliminary estimates based on sketch plans.

      3. Preparations of detailed elemental estimates and cost plans, providing the client with a detailed budget. Constant

          monitoring and cost-checking of elemental design costs during the detailed design stage in order to retain costs within

          overall budget.

      4. Working in collaboration with other consultants in the design team and advising on effects of various design solutions

          and methods of construction being considered.

      5. Advice on procurement procedures or methods and management of the procurement process with emphasis on individual

          client requirements.

      6. Advice on contractual matters and the choice of the most appropriate form of contract.

      7. Preparation of firm, approximate, locational or provisional Bills of Quantities based on working drawings.

      8. Preparation of material schedules and labour-only tender documents.

      9. Checking and reporting on received tenders and advising on the selection of contractors.

     PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES

      Pre-contract service

      1. Liase project funds

      2. Appoint private consultants

      3. Formulate project scope with client

      4. Briefing to private consultants

      5. Compile, review and finalise the brief

      Post Contract Services

      1. Prepare contract documentation and arrange for signing

      2. Identify liason officer

      3. Site handover and appoint liason officer

      4. Determine work norms

      5. Contract administration

     Close out

      1. Submit “As Built Drawings”

      2. Approve and submit final account

      3. Conduct final inspection and issue inspection lists

      4. Issue completion certificates

      5. Draft and finalise guideline documents for future projects

    Conclusion

      We are confident that our team, coupled with years of experience, profound and contemporary ideas,

      and the competitive edge and technological advantage offered by Information Technology, is in a

      position to take on any size of project within Botswana.

      We trust that you will find our practice and the services that we are able to offer to be appealing and acceptable to your

      organisation. However, should you require any further clarification or information please contact our Ms. J Kaumba who will

      assist you in every possible way.

     METHOD STATEMENT

      1. Co-ordination of the professional team

      The project manager shall be responsible for the co-ordination of all consultants’ work and all information flow among

      consultants and all contractors. All consultants shall be liable for all technical aspects of their work and shall not hold the

      project manager responsible for any corrections, omissions and additions on their part necessary for the execution of the

      work.

      2. Project Meetings

      Commissioning meeting shall be attended by Architect together with the Project Manager. Site and progress meetings shall

      be attended by all consultants assigned to the project to be chaired by the project manager. The dates and time of the

      meeting to be agreed among the project team and the client.

     3. Contract Administration

      All tenders received from contractors shall be input into a computer system that will be used to generate priced contract

      documents and valuation books. The same system would subsequently be used to process the value of work as recorded

      by the Clerk of Works and draw up a Certificate for Payment.

      Certificates for Payment shall be issued within five working days after the valuation date to ensure timely payments to

      contractors, thus reducing possible delays and disputes.

      The Project manager shall work in conjunction with the surveyor responsible for a project and compile periodic financial

      statements and cost reports which shall be checked and signed by the project manager.

    4. Final Account

      The measuring, pricing and agreeing of provisional quantities and variations shall be carried out by the surveyor assigned

      to the project. The Quantity surveyor shall compile, negotiate and finalise the account. The project manager shall double

      check the final account, draw up and sign the Standard Final Account Indemnity Forms provided by the client.