Panaka Construction

05/02/2026

09/11/2025

Here are some tips for building projects during the rain season:

*Preparation is Key*
1. *Check the weather forecast*: Plan your work according to the weather forecast to minimize disruptions.
2. *Prepare the site*: Ensure the site is clear of debris and has proper drainage to prevent water accumulation.
3. *Protect materials*: Store materials like cement, wood, and steel in a dry place to prevent damage.

*Foundation and Structural Work*
1. *Compact the soil*: Ensure the soil is well-compacted to prevent settling or foundation issues.
2. *Use waterproofing measures*: Apply waterproofing treatments to the foundation and walls to prevent water seepage.
3. *Build with rain-resistant materials*: Use materials like concrete, brick, or stone that can withstand heavy rain.

*Safety First*
1. *Ensure site safety*: Keep the site safe and secure to prevent accidents, especially during heavy rain or strong winds.
2. *Monitor structural integrity*: Regularly inspect the structure for signs of damage or weakness.

24/03/2025

21/10/2020

HARARE – Following a spate of demolitions, illegal settlements and unauthorised housing development on wetlands, undesignated and private lands, The City of Harare and Chitungwiza municipality have come out advising its residents and ratepayers on processes to follow in acquiring and developing on pieces of land.

The City of Harare has advised residents that they need to get their housing developments plans approved before any development can take place.

“The four step Building Plan Approval Process is meant to ensure that structures are built in compliance with the set regulations.

Residents after having their building plans drawn by architects and draughtperson can then submit the plans to the District Office as they pay the fees while the District Office can then submit the plan to Department of Works at Cleveland,” the process alludes.

The plans are then discussed at one stop shop which meets twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Some plans are submitted to ZESA and Fire Brigade depending on size and scope of the building for example boundary walls and commercial buildings for public safety.

“The plan has to be accompanied by proof of ownership (Title deed, Agreement of Sale, Allocation letter from Council or Goverment), and a certificate of compliance for new developments.

The applicant also must submit a filled-in TPD1 Form and Architect Form (commonly for low density and commercial buildings).
“Building approval fees will be required together with a general plan for the stand which is commonly referred to as site plan.

Plans that do not have any corrections to be made will be approved at the one stop shop and later signed by the Chief Building Inspector within a week.

Those that require corrections will need amendments from the architect planner or draughtsperson before it is taken back for approval”.

On the other hand, Chitungwiza Town Council issued a statement of concern following the continuous development of stands without due processes being followed.

This has resulted in demolitions of people’s buildings as they will be built without approval from the relevant authorities.

Before construction or development is undertaken, there should be an offer letter, signed lease agreement or valid proof of ownership and a valid service clearance certificate.

The authority requires an approved site plan, signed survey diagram by a registered surveyor or General plan.

They will also require an approved valid building plan, copy of peg form and copy of stage form which indicates inspected stages by Council.

The statement also urged people not to purchase properties without verification from council.

Panaka Construction specialises in building, construction, renovation, plumbing, electrical installation, painting, pavements, tiling etc

01/11/2019

Procedure for water connections in Harare:
• Buy your own water meter - Elster Kent 15mm, brass or plastic
• Take the meter to Harare Water offices located at Cnr Speke and Sam Nujoma
• Take with you a copy of agreement of sale or title deeds, national identification card and meter receipt of payment.
• Amount to be paid depends with the area the property is located in as well as the meter to be connected
• The meter is left at Harare Water for calibration which takes one week or more. It will be collected at your district office thereafter.
• Plumbers from the district office will connect it for you.

Note:
• Calibration of water meters in Harare is free if it is a replacement meter.
• For new meters prices vary depending the area where the meter is to be installed.
• For meters outside Harare calibration is RTGS $70 residential and RTGS $450 industrial.
For more information contact Harare Water Call Centre on 0242 705654 or 0242 704193

Save water. Every drop counts!

01/06/2019

Tips for
choosing the best construction contractor

IT Doesn’t matter if it’s a cottage, a pre-fabricated storage building, a house or a custom commercial complex, it’s important that you hire a top builder or construction contractor who knows their stuff.
You don’t want just any builder or contractor; you want an expert with an impeccable reputation.
The reality is there are probably more than enough contractors in your area to choose from.
Any number of them can possibly do the job, but you don’t want a maybe, and you don’t want to make a bad decision.
Choosing the right contractor not only means your finished building will be everything you want it to be; it also means the process itself will go smoothly and in a timely fashion.
It’s simply not worth it to hire a contractor who will not deliver what you want with a minimum of hassle.
You want someone with whom you can really work and communicate.
· Ask people in the know
Word of mouth is still one of the best ways to find quality services, and when it comes to contractors, the same holds true.
Ask people who have experience working with contractors, who have used contractors and who work alongside them. For example: building inspectors.
· Don’t rush the process
Being in a hurry can cost you money and create headaches.
Start looking for a top contractor early on, so you can make an informed decision based on facts.
· Talk to several contractors
Start making phone calls. Ask them questions and get a feel for the way they work.
Do they seem accessible, available, and willing to answer your questions?
Or do they simply pressure you into choosing them, and tell you all about how wonderful they are.
· Ask for references
This is standard, and shouldn’t be skipped or glossed over.
A top construction contractor should be able to provide a solid list of references, and yes, you should follow up with them.
· Ask the right questions
It’s one thing to be a good contractor; it’s another to be the right contractor.
Find out more about how they work, how many projects they take on at once, what their primary area of expertise is, and whether they work with subcontractors, and if so, how long they have worked with them.
The process of finding a contractor takes a little time and some research, but you’ll be glad you went the extra mile.
The above list will help you get started finding the contractor that’s a good fit for your project.
— Construction Review Online

25/04/2018

Don't lose money in Harare when buying residential stands

Raising money to buy residential properties in Zimbabwe is not easy. Some take several years saving money, some get bank loans or mortgages and some use pension savings. Losing all of this investment to scammers can be heartbreaking! So make sure you do everything right from the start.

So how can you lose money in Harare when buying residential stands?

Buy residential stands from individuals
Buy Infill residential stands
Buy from unverified real estate agents
Buy from people who are not resident in the area where the stand is
Buy residential stands which are still under development
Residential property sold for cash
If you are buying a residential stand and you manage to tick 3 or so of the above factors then you sure are on your way to losing your money.

Individuals: Buying from individuals always pose a risk. They may not have a reputation to protect and can disappear without trace! A reputable institution such as Old Mutual, First Mutual, Way Mark or FBC cannot afford to drag their reputation onto the mud buy being involved in dubious land deals. There are no reported cases of anyone who has taken large institutions to the court over dubious land sales.

Infill Stands? Our estimate is over $3m has been lost in fake infill stands sales. Any sale of land in established residential areas like Mabelreign, Marlborough, Sentosa, Warren Park, Kambuzuma, Hillside should immediately raise an alarm. The word ‘infill stand’ goes hand in glove with the word ‘scammers’. A lot of undeveloped residential stands are being sold to unsuspecting members of the public. You will be shown everything…title deeds and in some cases you can even verify with authorities and finding everything in place.

Non Residents: If a person selling a residential stand does not stay in the same city as you then raise a red flag! If you are being asked to go and complete the deal in say Bulawayo or Beitbridge then raise the alarm bell. The modus operandi used by scammers is to sell stands in areas they do not stay. After selling dubious residential stands the next thing in their mind is to flee from the crime scene.

Cash Sale: If it is a cash sale then the risk level rises to 99%. A residential stand in area still to be developed poses many risks as well.

So before buying a residential stand make sure you acquaint yourself with how a lot of people lose money to fraudsters. Check the latest trends fraudsters are using and take your time in verifying the authenticity of the real estate agent you are dealing with. Verification with the Title Deeds Office does not guarantee you anything, a lot have viewed their title deeds only to go back and find them missing. Using a lawyer does not guarantee safety as some lawyers have also been duped by highly organised fraudsters. - Copied

15/04/2018

PROCEDURES IN ACQUIRING A RESIDENTIAL STAND
If one wishes to acquire a 'fresh' residential stand in Harare, the following procedures
are to be followed:
1. Registration on the Waiting List
• Any person seeking residential accommodation in Harare should be registered
on the Waiting List for at least a minimum of six (6) months before they can be
considered for allocation.
2. Eligibility
• An applicant should be a first time home seeker who is resident or working in
Harare with such other categories, the City of Harare Housing Director may
approve from time to time;
• Applicant should be 18 years old and above;
• Applicant or their spouse should not own property within Harare, Chitungwiza,
Ruwa, Norton or Epworth;
• Were an applicant is married under customary law & the marriage becomes
polygamous, the subsequent wife(ves) shall be allowed to join the Housing
Waiting List independently.

23/08/2017

Build smart with Panaka Construction. Phone 0775376000 now!

31/07/2017

Building, renovating? Look no further, Panaka Construction is here for you.

28/01/2017

Build smart with Panaka Construction.

24/12/2016

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all our customers!!!!