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…
While Compliance is Vital, it Doesn’t Have to be Financially Burdensome. Compliance with building regulations is a fundamental requirement for any construction project in South Africa. Among these regulations, SANS 10400, the South African National Standard, plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety, health, and sustainability of buildings. Achieving compliance with SANS 10400 is…
Key Changes and Updates in the SANS Building Regulations? The landscape of building regulations in South Africa is ever-evolving, reflecting advances in construction technology, changes in societal needs, and a growing emphasis on safety and sustainability. For homeowners, builders, and architects, staying informed about the latest updates and changes to South African building regulations is…
A Homeowner’s Guide to Compliance When it comes to owning and maintaining a home in South Africa, understanding and complying with the building regulations is crucial. The South African National Standard, SANS 10400, provides the framework for these regulations, covering various aspects of construction, safety, and sustainability. For homeowners, architects, and builders, navigating this complex…
Owner Build Your Own House in South Africa: A Comprehensive Guide Introduction: To “Build my own house” can be an exciting and rewarding endeavour, allowing you to design and create a home that perfectly suits your needs and preferences. In South Africa, the process to owner build your own house is certainly feasible, but it…
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…
The South African National Standard (SANS) 10400, also known as the Building Regulations, is a set of standards and regulations that govern the construction and maintenance of buildings in South Africa. These regulations cover various aspects of building design, construction, and safety to ensure that buildings are safe, healthy, and sustainable. The SANS 10400 regulations…
In South Africa, the SANS 10400 refers to the National Building Regulations that provide guidelines and standards for the construction and maintenance of buildings. The SANS 10400 Part U does indeed cover refuse disposal in South Africa’s National Building Regulations. Part U specifically focuses on the design and construction of buildings regarding the provision and…
Councils Must be Ruthless with Restricting Occupation of Unsafe Buildings I think it must be terrifying to be woken at 04:00 in the morning by a thunderclap that makes the whole building shudder. Then, in a confused state, you realise your bed’s still shaking and, no, it wasn’t thunder, it was the building falling down….
How Construction Laws, National Building Regulations and South African National Standards Affect Homeowners Prior to 1985, various provinces and municipalities in South Africa had their own construction laws and regulations which, although similar, were not the same. Over a period of years, a committee of experts, including architects, builders, developers, and the Bureau of Standards (SABS) professionals researched and compiled…
NHBRC Review of the Technical Requirements A major revision of the Technical Requirements and Home Building Manual will affect the home builders and may affect the rights of housing consumers and those engaged in the housing supply chain. Housing consumers and key players in the housing industry will therefore also be afforded the opportunity to…
Electric fences are governed by the Electrical Machinery Regulations which are part of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. In addition, local authorities and municipalities have their own by-laws that must be complied with. You can download the Electrical Machinery Regs from the link above. Below is an explanation extracted from the City of Cape Town…
A stunning swimming pool picture aboveWould you need to submit plans for a pool like this? See the post below.Pool by Prim City of Johannesburg Relaxes Swimming Pools Plan Submissions The City of Johannesburg’s Planning Department has confirmed that they have relaxed the by-laws relating to swimming pools and plan submissions. These regulations concern the…
The NHBRC has Deregistered from VAT and Adjusted their Fees We have recently had a number of enquiries about how the NHBRC fees are calculated, those are the fees that have to be paid when a proposed new house is registered with them. In 2011 the NHBRC was deregistered for VAT and they adjusted their…
The PAJA: The SA Law that Protects Your Rights We get questions daily about buildings blocking views, balconies overlooking neighbours’ bedrooms, building approval without neighbours’ consent, developers not putting in correct storm-water drains; complaints that the neighbours wall is on “my” property; the list goes on and on. People also want to know who they…
Consolidated Johannesburg Town Planning Scheme, 2011 Download the Johannesburg Town Planning Scheme document below We have included this Johannesburg Town Planning Scheme document to assist you with accessing the the correct information so that you can make the right decisions when it comes to planning any construction, building and renovation or the purchase of property…
Below is a list of all tools and what they are used for in-house construction Here is a list of common tools used in home construction along with brief descriptions of what they’re used for: Note that this is not an exhaustive list, and there are many other tools that can be used in home…
IT’S PLUMBER PLUMBING CRAZY Not being a registered plumber, or even someone who would try to work with pipes and fittings, all I can do is read the relevant national standards when I want to check the legality of fixtures and fittings. Not that the owner of the property cares. Pipes and fittings have been…