building plans - The Building Regulations in South Africa

10 most important things for the Homeowner

The 10 most important things that the South African homeowner should be aware of and look out for when building a house: Additional Considerations: Remember, building a house is a journey, not just a destination. By being proactive, informed, and well-prepared, you can significantly increase your chances of a smooth and successful building experience. Don’t…

building plans | National Building Regulations (SA)

Fence Your SA Property Without Hassle: A Complete Guide

Have another think before you fence your property in South Africa

building plans | National Building Regulations (SA)

When can I start building without plans? Is it possible?

Is it possible without plans? Navigating the construction landscape in South Africa involves understanding the intricate web of building regulations and permissions. The substantial time and effort required to undertake construction projects, be it a new residence, commercial space, or alterations to existing structures, can be daunting. However, for those committed to staying on the…

building plans | National Building Regulations (SA)

DIY Dream or Risky Venture? Owner Building in South Africa

A Review Based on Personal Experience Having just finished totally updating the ever-popular title, The Complete Book of Owner Building in South Africa I am left wondering whether owner building is a good idea or not. We’ve completed the exercise three times, and not once made any money, or in fact, even got our money…

What is The Latest Version of SANS 10400?

The latest version of SANS 10400 in South Africa is SANS 10400:2011, also known as the National Building Regulations (NBR). However, please note that regulations and standards are subject to updates and revisions, and there may have been newer versions released since then. “The National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) is revising its home-building manual…

SANS 10400 General Principles & Requirements

building plans | National Building Regulations (SA) | nhbrc | Site Operations

Build Right From The Start: SANS 10400 Part A Explained

Design, Planning and Supervision of All Construction Work Must Follow a Legal Process The comprehensive framework outlined in the SANS 10400, otherwise known as the Code of Practice for the Application of the National Building Regulations (NBR), serves as the backbone for ensuring compliance within the construction and building industry. Each section of this code…

building plans | demolition | site management | Site Operations

The Hidden Dangers of Excavation: A Look at Part G

Safety and Stability When Doing ExcavationsAre Top Priorities – Part G Part G of the National Building Regulations focuses on excavations and emphasizes the critical importance of safety and stability when engaging in these activities. Even in situations where the ground seems relatively level, excavations are often imperative in the construction of homes. The regulations…

Additions | building plans | Plumbing

Easy Bathroom Planning – What You Need to Know 5 Steps

Caption for pic above: There are no absolutes in bathroom design: your aim is to produce an environment that is comfortable, convenient and easy to maintain, and that works for the people who will use it. Know Your Plumber 1. You and Your Plumber The location and layout of a bathroom is invariably dictated by…

Engineers report on Riga Maxima supermark

Engineer Specs: Your Blueprint for Building Confidence & Quality

The Photograph above: By Valenciano – Self-photographed, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29802079 Engineers Design Buildings for a Purpose Engineers around the world will design a structure based on the brief given to them by a developer. The basis for any good design is to have a structure that is “fit for purpose” for which it is…

Why national building regulations for this house

Guaranteed Quality: Understanding The Role Of National Building Codes

We Rely on National Building Regulations Why National Building regulations is a question asked many times. Both international and national standards and Building Regulations are fundamental to successful building and construction projects, both big and small.It doesn’t matter whether you are building a garden shed out of timber, a modest family home from bricks and…

building plans | nhbrc | Regulations

Municipal Mystery Solved: How To Contact Your Local District Authorities

How to contact your Local Authority and Municipality in your District Here is the most up-to-date National Municipality Contact list We get requests almost on a daily basis about “How do I contact my local Municipality?”, “Where is my local Authority?”, “Where do I take my plans?”, “Where can I contact the Building Inspector?” Well…

Additions | building plans | National Building Regulations (SA) | Temporary building

Builder Shed Permits: What You Need To Know (Local Authority)

Temporary Buildings Must be Authorizedby the Local Authority People often talk about temporary buildings in terms of structures that can be erected quickly and without plans. Some people go so far as to opt for what is advertised as a “temporary building” because they think it will provide a cheap, quick, and easy solution to…

Additions | building plans | DIY | Garden shed | Temporary building

Minor Work In Your Garden: Does It Need Approval?

What is “Minor Building Work”? Whatever you construct on your property needs plans, unless it is defined as “minor building work”. Even so, the Act states very well in Part A: General Principles and Requirements (this was previously Part A: Administration), that any structural building work that is defined as “minor building work” requires approval…

Avoid Delays: Ensure Your Plans Have A Qualified Designer

Understanding the Concept of Competent Persons & Competency When South Africa’s National Building Regulations were updated in 2008, several new definitions were added to the legislation, and some were rewritten. One of the most important changes was to the term competent person, because a “competent person” is now required to draw up plans and submit them…

Additions | building plans | demolition | Site Operations

Prepping for Perfection: How to Clear Your Building Site

Clearing The Site – Getting Ready To Build Preparation is a vital part of any job in the construction industry because if site preparation is not correctly done it can jeopardise the building project. Site clearing operations must also be safe so that there is no chance of anybody being injured. Before you can start…

Build Your Dreams, Save Money: Top Reasons to Owner-Build

Some Good Reasons to Owner Build The Pros and Cons of Owner Building: A personal review Perhaps you see the owner build exercise as a challenge. Or maybe it is an opportunity for you to prove you can do it better than we did. Maybe you’d decide to owner build just because you can! After all…

The NHBRC manuals sans 10400 regulations

SANS 10400 regulations, General Principles and Requirements

SANS 10400 Regulations Governs the Design, planning and supervision of all construction work Each section of SANS 10400 regulations, the Code of Practice for The application of the National Building Regulations (NBR) is presented with the relevant extract from the building regulations (which is the law), and is then followed by a general commentary explaining…

Permits Made Easy: Avoid Building Work Delays

You Don’t Need Plans for Minor Building Work … But you DO Need Permission to Build Anything you build on your property needs plans unless it is defined as “minor building work”. However, the Act states very clearly in Part A: General Principles and Requirements (this was previously Part A: Administration), that any structural building…

The Secret Weapon Of Successful Owner Builders: Project Management

Take Charge of Your Home Building Venture as Project Manager Anybody who is serious about owner building will want to have a degree of control to ensure that the project stays on track. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to be hands-on. Taking on the role of project manager simply means that you are…

Legal Boundary, Building Lines, Walls & Fences

How far from the boundary wall must I build? We get a number of questions asking “What are my building lines” and “How close to the boundary am I (or my neighbour) allowed to build?” The site plan above is a sample and is only a guide to the approximate building lines and distances that…

Unlock Extra Space: Your Step-by-Step Guide To Building An Extension

Planning House Extensions Whether you are building a new home or planning house extensions to an existing home, you are going to need building approval from your local authority. Even if you are simply opening up a wall or partitioning a room by erecting a new internal wall, most councils will insist on working drawings….