Hill Du Bois (HDB) are mainly active in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg encompassing their core business of Quantity Surveying, but also diversifying into property ownership and administration as well.

In addition to owning their own building in Lonehill they own and administer other office buildings in the area, which are let out on the "office suite" basis.

This is a simplified version of the Regus Offices, whereby they provide a furnished reception with a receptionist to answer the clients telephones in their own company names, receive clients and take messages.

The receptionist looks after the tenants needs and provides tea or coffee for them three times a day. In addition there is a furnished boardroom to be used on a booking basis, together with ample parking, air conditioned unfurnished offices, managed telephone system, 24 hour internet link and photocopy and fax facilities.

This has proved very popular with small businesses who have graduated from a home start-up process, whereby people require something a little more sophisticated and formal. It becomes uneconomic for companies of more than three offices ie. six to eight people upwards.

Another attraction to tenants is that they do not have to sign long leases and commit themselves to the expense of large set-up costs. All that is required is a deposit to cover the rental and estimated monthly telephone calls. No sureties are required and the lease is a simple four page document setting out the terms and conditions in layman's language

I n t a b a   P a r t n e r s h i p

HDB have linked up with John Donker to form an empowerment practice known as Intaba Consulting. John Donker operates out of Pretoria and founded Elconsult cc specializing in Quantity Surveying, Project Managing and Management Consulting. John lectures at the Technikon Northern Gauteng and is involved in the Standards Generating Body for Tertiary Institutions. They look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership.