How to Start a Construction Company in Zimbabwe
Do
you want to learn how to start a construction company in Zimbabwe? If yes then
this article is for you.
Worry
no further, we have provided a step-by-step guide on how to start and operate a
construction company in Zimbabwe.
Construction
is a very important sector in the Economy of Zimbabwe. It's one of the fastest-growing
business ventures. Yet, there are very few Zimbabweans in this industry.
10 steps on How to Start a Construction Company in Zimbabwe
Step 1: Decide your niche
The
first step towards starting a construction company in Zimbabwe is to decide
what sector or niche within the construction industry you want to enrol on.
In
Zimbabwe, there are four (04) construction companies segment. The residential
segment is in charge of the construction of homes, institutional and commercial
building segment which is the construction of institutions such as hospitals, schools
etc. and commercial structures such as stores, office space etc.
The
third segment is the specialization in the specialization in industrial
construction and the last segment is the construction of infrastructures and
heavy construction.
Step 2: Know your Key competitors
Every
business has a competitor in the marketplace. In starting a construction
business, you need to know all you’re potential competitors within the
construction sector.
Study
your competitor’s strengths and weaknesses. Study marketing and promotional
strategies that they employ.
Observed
how they treat their customers and studied who they buy materials from. Also,
study how long they take before they complete a construction project.
Step 3: Choose a suitable location
Location
is everything when it comes to running a construction company in Zimbabwe. It’s
the key to success for the most successful construction constrictors in the
nation.
If
you are into commercial construction, then locations or cities such as Harare,
Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, Kwekwe, Chinhoyi, Kadoma, Marondera, Masvingo and Zvishavane
etc would be the best cities for successful construction company in the commercial.
Let,
your office be located in a strategic location where clients can easily locate
you.
Check Out: How to Start a Career in Civil Engineering in any Country
Step 4: Choose a good business name
Every
successful business in Zimbabwe is known by its name. Names are very vital
towards the promotion and growth of a business.
If,
you are just starting with your construction company in Zimbabwe, make sure to
choose a suitable name for your company.
Choose
a business name that is unique, easy to pronounce and easy to be remembered by
users.
You
can name your new construction business based on different ways. First, you can
name your company by using one of your names. Example Mugabe Construction Ltd.
You
can also name your construction company by the type of sector you are in. For
example, if you are into residential construction, you can name Your Company as
TK Residential Construction company.
You
can also name your construction company by the location of business operation.
For example, if you live in Kadoma Commercial Ltd.
Step 5: Build a Business Plan
Write
a business plan for your construction company. A business plan is a very key
pillar in building the blueprint of the construction company.
A
business plan helps you map out what your construction company would look like
when it’s become operational, what possible issues you will face and how to
overcome challenges that arise during the operation of the business.
If
you don’t have knowledge n how to draft a good construction business, it's advisable
to get help for expert business plan writers.
However,
whether you hire an expert to write your business plan for you, make sure you
have a visual of the following, a brief description of the construction
company, details of the services provided, market analysis, who your potential suppliers
would be, cost of materials needed, analysis of competitors, description of how
contracts would be carried out, risk analysis and sources of income.
Step 6: Buy all required tools and equipment
Get
all the basic tools and equipment you need in running your construction
company.
Get
your basic tools such as a measuring box, hand saw, crowbar, digging bar,
ladder, concrete mixer, boning rod, etc.
Also,
get a first aid medical box for your construction company. This would help to
reduce damage or any injury that workers face during the construction service.
Check Out: How to Become A Road Construction Worker in Any Country
Step 7: Register your business
Zimbabwe
is one of the African countries you don’t need to register your business before
you operate it.
However,
there are more advantages to registering your business in Zimbabwe than just
operating without a license and registration. Some of these benefits are tax
cuts, easy transfer of ownership etc.
This
implies that there are more advantages to registering your construction company
in Zimbabwe. Added to this, a licensed and register construction company
implies that you are trustworthy and professional in what you do.
Company
registration also in Zimbabwe is very simple, if you do not know how to go
about it, then get help from a law firm.
Step 8: Build the right Team
No
matter how small your construction company might be, you will need to have a
team to work with. To be successful in running a construction company in
Zimbabwe, you will need to hire only professionals or those qualified to do the
job.
Within
your team, make sure to have a content generation team, these are individuals
who regularly write content for the company. They would be in charge of
publishing content for every single project the construction company has undertaken.
Also,
have an advertisements team, this set of persons who be in charge of handling
all aspects of business promotion, They will be in charge of promoting the
business using all available means at their disposal.
Step 9: Partner with other construction institutions
If,
you are just starting your construction company, learn to work in partnership
with other similar construction companies, especially working in collaboration
with larger firms.
Working
with larger firms as partners would help newly created construction companies
to grow. Your construction company might benefit from resources and tools from
larger organizations. You might also benefit financially from these larger
companies.
Step 10: Promote your business
One
of the keys to running a successful construction company in Zimbabwe is to
promote your construction company at all times.
You
can do this by first creating a website that displays all the services you
offer. Promote your business through social media sites. On your website,
publicise the past successful projects you have carried out. This would help
potential customers gain more trust in your services.
Try
reaching out to happy customers and getting feedback, and asking them to help
promote your business to their friends and relatives.
Create
a compelling video of about 5 minutes explaining what you do and the successful
projects you have carried out. This can also help potential customers easily
know what you do and what values or skills your company can provide for them.
Also,
ensure your phone number is reachable at all times.
Conclusion
The
construction sector or industry in Zimbabwe is closely been watched. It's one
of the fastest-growing sectors in Zimbabwe.
If
you want to start a construction company in Zimbabwe, then you will need to
follow the following steps outlined above.
To
be successful in running a construction company in Zimbabwe, you will need to identify
which aspects of the construction industry do want to engage in.
Choose a good name for your business; locate your business in strategic locations that are easily accessible by all customers. Register the construction business as this would help increase the trust and identity of your business. The most important step is to regularly promote and market your business to your neighbourhood etc.