Any business submitting a tender for a construction job in the public sector must register with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).

Any business submitting a tender for a construction job in the public sector must register with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).

But there is a catch: you must first be registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (Cipro).

One exception is joint ventures established for a particular contract where each of the partners is separately registered.

Companies are graded by their ability to complete contracts of a particular size, so you must register any construction work your company has done. Jobs would include contracts to provide goods and services, extensions, installations, repairs, maintenance, renewals and renovations, alterations, dismantling or demolition of buildings and engineering infrastructure.

The projects must have been worth more than R200000 in the public sector or R300000 in the private sector.

A registered contractor's grading reflects the business's ability to perform to a contract.

Contractors may be given different grading designations for different types of construction.

A company's ability to finance a construction project does not mean automatic qualification for the job because there are many factors.

Grading will determine which project you can do and will depend on your track record.

Emerging enterprises with no experience are likely to be designated in the lowest grade, which means you won't win bigger projects.

lFor more information visit the CIBD website: www.cidb.co.za.