An investigation into the possibility of establishing a building index for Botswana

Abstract

Without cost information, project planning is difficult for clients just as pricing of tenders is difficult for construction firms. No agency or organization in Botswana has endeavoured to collect, compile and analyze construction data with a view to establish a cost/price database and a subsequent building index. This paper reports an investigation into the possibility of establishing a building index and a related cost database of building items. It is based on previous studies in Botswana, which indicated that no such information exists anywhere in the public domain and many firms have a tough time during the planning of projects and pricing of project tenders. By producing a price database of common building and a building index the study shows the possibility of establishing a fully-fledged data bank for both items. Recommendations are made on how to improve the current situation and the results of the study.