Sunaina Gera is the director projects, Gera Development and also the brain behind Gridlines, the architectural firm that is presently handling myriad projects. She spoke to AJIT JOHN about the challenges being a woman in the industry and about the rough winds buffeting the world of realty
HERALD: How different are the clients in Goa from those in Pune?
Sunaina Gera: I have been visiting Goa for over 5 years and I find the clients a lot less demanding whereas in Pune they are a lot more critical. It is a lot more challenging dealing with Pune clients than Goa clients. During possession time in Goa it is much easier.
HERALD: What are the challenges you face in Goa?
SG: Handling a sale, collecting payments, possession and post possession. I am only involved at the time of possession and I can say very few complaints have come. Post possession if there are any warranty issues we manage to close them out in a reasonable time. In a residential complex we had some glitches which are being handled. In Imperium 1 and 2 we had problems in the basement it has been settled. With regards construction, it is a little difficult finding labour. We want to encourage local Goans, it is our obligation to encourage the contractors of Goa and we manage.
HERALD: Have you done work with your architecture firm for companies apart from Gera?
SG: Not in Goa, since I am still trying to settle down with the work I have in Pune, we started business development 3 months back, I have equal level of work from outside as I have from Gera. We are flying out. I have 3.5 million sq ft of design work and there are some projects sitting on the table which have been offered to me and I am hesitating to meet those developers. I do budgets, business development, spec finalisation, value engineering which I specialise in and I have to arbitrate between Gera and the firm.
HERALD: Have you pitched for business in Goa?
SG: I met builders over here, not very great and I don’t think I have the bandwidth to take on more. They were probably averse to looking at someone from outside. They seemed comfortable with whomsoever they were working with; they felt my presentation did not have much depth whereas the response from Pune was phenomenal. I am pushing the company now to look at hospitality, service apartments, education which is a family legacy.
HERALD: What are the challenges with the reality business in Goa?
SG: We as a developer are not complaining but there is no boom in the market. It has been our best year. The segment we have chosen is perfect and we have no intention of changing. In the future if we see a change then yes. DLF is coming opposite us, then we shall see. We are looking at improving.
