HBC Member Profile – Donovan Els

1. How did you start your business?

From a young age I had an interest in construction and architecture as well as its processes and coming from a family with a construction back ground it just made sense.

After I received my Diploma in Building Sciences, I worked for a construction company where I gained a lot of experience and in 2012 I decided to start my own company.

Building Solutions was established and I have never looked back.

Through hard work, sweat, blood and some would say tears, we are proud to say that Building Solutions is a family operated Business with my loving and supportive wife on my side.

2. What is your mission statement?

We have the knowledge and experience to structure the best solution for you. Building Solutions is the solution to all your building needs.

3. What do you specialize in and what makes your services different than your competitors.

We specialize in turnkey solutions. From New Home Construction to Renovations and Alterations all under Qualified Project Management.

Our passion is creating Dream Homes and we put our hearts into each and every one of our projects. No project is too big or too small for us and we take pride in each and every one of our projects.

4. Challenges in your Business

During the past year we have had numerous price increases on building materials such as steel, glass and aluminium to name a few and this made the quoting department challenging. It was also one of the biggest frustrations to explain to clients.

Clients also tend to go for the “cheaper” option or knock off products and then end up spending more than necessary to fix it at the end of the day. Hence the saying “Goedkoop koop is duur koop.”

5. Do you have handy tips for new home owners?

1. Do regular maintenance on your home! Especially during the winter months when you can clean gutters, repaint your home or do waterproofing if needed. It says a lot if your home is in a good condition, even if you have older finishes.
2. Do make sure that if you are building or renovating your Dream home, you and your contractor have a strong and open communication line. It’s an important relationship and you will have to be in constant communication for the duration of the project.
3. Make sure that you do not overcapitalize on your home. Do research about the resell values in your area and speak to a reputable Contractor or Real Estate agency to help guide you to Renovate accordingly and prevent disappointment in the long run.
4. Value added Renovations to consider is Repainting, Flooring (Tiles, vinyl, screeding), Kitchen remodel, Bathroom remodel, Swimming Pools.
5. Be realistic about the costs of each stage.