We follow a structured, repeatable process on every project. No guesswork. No surprises. Just a clear path from where you are now to a finished build you are proud of.
The single most common reason construction projects go wrong is a lack of structure. No agreed scope. No clear cost breakdown. No regular updates. A contractor who disappears between milestones and reappears with unexpected charges. We have seen what this does to clients — the anxiety, the cost overruns, the projects that stall for months.
Sieben was built to be different. Every project we take on follows the same structured four-step process — from the first conversation through to the day we hand over your keys. At every stage, you know what is happening, what it costs, and what comes next. Whether you are building in Lusaka or managing your project from the other side of the world, that does not change.
Every project begins with a conversation. We meet with you — in person at our Lusaka office, on site, or virtually if you are abroad — to understand your project in full. What do you want to build? What is your timeline? What is your budget? What matters most to you?
This is not a sales meeting. It is a genuine working session where we ask the questions that will shape everything that follows. We want to understand not just the physical project but what a successful outcome means to you. A family home that is ready before a relocation. A rental property that generates income on a specific timeline. A commercial space that reflects your organisation’s standards.
At the end of the consultation, you will have a clear sense of whether Sieben is the right fit for your project, and we will have everything we need to produce a proper scope and cost estimate. There is no obligation at this stage.
Once we have agreed to proceed, our engineers and project managers produce a full project scope document. This covers everything: the full description of works, the materials to be used, the project timeline broken down by phase, and a detailed cost breakdown. Nothing is vague. Nothing is left to interpretation.
You will receive this document to review before any work begins. If anything is not what you expected, we discuss and adjust it. We do not start building until you have reviewed the scope, understood the costs, and formally approved the plan. Your signature on the scope document is your assurance that what gets built matches what was agreed.
For projects with an architectural or structural design component, we coordinate with the relevant professionals during this stage to ensure drawings are complete and council approvals are in order before we break ground.
Construction begins on the agreed start date. From that point, your project has a dedicated point of contact at Sieben — a named person who knows your project in detail and is reachable throughout the build. You will never be passed between different people or left wondering who to call.
We provide two types of regular updates throughout the build. Formal written progress reports are produced at key project milestones — covering work completed, materials used, costs incurred, and what happens next. Between formal reports, you receive WhatsApp photo updates at every significant stage of construction, so you can see the progress in real time.
If you are managing your project from abroad, we schedule video calls at key decision points — before major phases begin, when choices need to be made, or whenever you want a more detailed briefing. We work across time zones and respond to messages within a few hours.
If something unexpected arises during the build — and in construction, something always does — we tell you immediately. We explain the situation clearly, present your options with honest cost implications, and wait for your decision before proceeding. You are never presented with a fait accompli.
When construction is complete, we conduct a thorough internal inspection before we invite you to the handover. Our team walks the entire project against the original scope document, checking every detail. If anything is not right, we fix it before you see it.
At handover, we walk you through the completed project together — in person or via a detailed video walkthrough if you are abroad. We hand over all relevant documentation: the final cost summary, any warranties on materials or fittings, council occupancy certificates where applicable, and a photographic record of the completed build.
We consider a project complete only when you are satisfied. If anything requires attention after handover, contact us and we will address it promptly. Your project does not end when we leave the site.
Staying informed should not require effort on your part. Here is exactly how we keep you in the picture throughout your build.
Project timelines vary depending on the size and complexity of the build. A standard three to four-bedroom residential home typically takes between eight and fourteen months from groundbreaking to handover. A renovation or rehabilitation project may take two to six months depending on its scope. We provide a detailed, phase-by-phase timeline as part of the project scope document before any work begins, so you know exactly what to expect and when.
Financial transparency is one of our core commitments. Before any work begins, you receive a detailed cost breakdown covering every element of your project. During the build, each formal progress report includes an update on costs incurred to date against the approved budget. Any variation from the agreed scope — whether it is additional work, a change in materials, or an unexpected site condition — is brought to your attention immediately with a clear cost implication before we proceed. You will never receive a surprise invoice.
In construction, unexpected situations arise. The question is not whether they will happen, but how your contractor responds when they do. At Sieben, we tell you immediately. We explain the situation clearly, present your options with honest cost and timeline implications, and wait for your direction before proceeding. We do not make unilateral decisions on your behalf, and we do not present you with a problem after the fact. Honest, prompt communication when things get difficult is one of the things that defines us.
Design changes during construction are common and manageable if handled correctly. Minor changes — a different tile, a repositioned socket, a change in paint colour — can usually be accommodated with minimal impact. Structural changes or significant scope additions are more complex and may affect both cost and timeline. If you want to make a change at any stage, contact your dedicated project contact and we will assess the impact honestly before any changes are made. Nothing changes without your approval.
We have built projects for clients in the UK, Australia, the United States, and across the region. The process is the same as for any other client — with additional provisions for remote communication. You receive the same formal progress reports and WhatsApp updates as every other client, plus scheduled video calls at key decision points. We respond to messages within a few hours and are mindful of time zone differences. Many of our diaspora clients tell us that they felt more informed about their project than they expected — and that is exactly the standard we aim for. For more detail on how we work with remote clients, see our Building from Anywhere page.
The first step is a conversation. Tell us about your project and we’ll take it from there — no pressure, no obligation, just a straightforward discussion about what you want to build and how we can help.
Build with confidence. Build with Sieben.
Monday – Friday: 08:00 – 17:00
Get in touch
No. 57 Harrison Chongo Road, Nyumba Yanga, Lusaka
+260 771 519 640
info@sieben.co.zm
