Ensuring quality in residential property in Gauteng

Even in tough economic times, South Africa’s residential market continues to present good opportunities for development with a wide spectrum of builds from first-time housing complexes to high-end properties.
As a result, the residential development sector is a competitive space demanding a product that combines fast turnaround times and cost efficiency with sound construction.

Profica, a leading company in property and construction management solutions, has been appointed by the Chartwell Group as technical specialists and watching brief project managers on a number of their residential investments. The Chartwell Group is an integrated residential real estate investor and home loan provider aimed at first time and upwardly mobile aspirant homeowners. The Group’s residential developments include Piccolo Close in Centurion, Boudouris Crest in Alberton and Summerset Place in Midrand. All three are aimed at the first-time homeowner market where modern, compact and secure estate living is highly sought after.

The Chartwell Group’s goal is to provide their clients with an enhanced end product that is competitively priced without sacrificing quality. To ensure that this is achieved, the Group turned to Profica to provide the right expertise. Profica has been in operation for 12 years in South Africa and across the continent with regional offices in West and East Africa. The company’s diverse expertise includes strong residential knowledge extending from lower-income residential complexes to innovative upmarket units and mixed-use developments.

Profica were appointed by Chartwell to provide technical advice with an active oversight role during the construction and development phase, and to oversee project close out.

Managing Director of Profica South Africa, Matthew Renshaw, says, “Essentially we represent the client on each build and it is important to have a cohesive team that clearly understands requirements both prior to and throughout the project. Apart from ensuring due process and accuracy of supporting documentation in the planning and design phase, Profica also ensures that all contractors and sub-contractors are on the same page during the construction and completion phases of the residential building project. This is to maximise the quality of the end result for an enhanced development delivered within a fast turnaround time. This is key to the process because the quality of the product will ultimately affect the demand and purchase price.”

Profica’s commitment to quality is clearly evidenced in the Boudouris Crest development where Chartwell purchased 20 units out of the 46 in the development. The Chartwell units under Profica’s watching brief have been consistently developed to a higher standard than the others, resulting in greater demand for these units at a premium.

The three residential complexes are currently nearing completion, with Boudouris Crest currently being closed out. Piccolo Close will be concluded in the next few weeks while Summerset Village is scheduled for completion towards the end of May. A number of units have already been occupied in all cases.

Continuing to ride the residential wave, Profica is also involved in a residential development near Lanseria in the Blair Atholl luxury estate. Profica are the construction project managers on two adjacent exclusive houses that are set to be completed in 2018.

Renshaw says that Profica’s success in delivering residential builds that are on time and within budget is due to a commitment to meet or exceed their client’s expectations. “Our experience in managing diverse projects over the years has enabled us to develop efficient work processes, maximise cost efficiency and ensure proper quality control. We partner with and take the time to understand the different needs of every client and pledge to approach each project with innovative solutions to realise their goals.”