Is it cheaper to build or buy a house in South Africa in 2025?
The short answer is that it is cheaper to buy an existing house in South Africa but every year less so.
We are looking to renovate an existing older home (approximately 90m², 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, kitchen and living room). The house has an asbestos roof and no current approved plans exist beyond the old council site plan attached. Scope: We want to largely keep the existing footprint but with some adjustments, one boundary wall currently sits only 2.7m from the right boundary and we'd like to bring it back to 3m. We also want to extend at the front to add a covered patio or balcony. Layout: 1 master bedroom with ensuite, 2 further bedrooms sharing a bathroom, open plan kitchen/living/dining integrated with the outdoor space. Orientation: The house needs to be south facing with a private garden. This is intentional, we plan to build a larger main house behind it in the future that will share the north wall, so windows and living spaces need to face south. The future main house may also extend its upper floor over the roof of this renovation, so roof height and structure should be considered with that in mind from the start. Design vision: Coastal luxury. We want this to look and feel considered, real architectural thought, not just lines that get council approval. We want it to feel integrated with nature and to genuinely wow. A note on working style: We've been through this process recently with another draughtsperson and it unfortunately didn't work out, timelines weren't met and the creative output didn't match our vision. We should mention that my sister is an architect in Brazil, so we have a good understanding of what quality work looks like and how long things should realistically take. We're not unreasonable clients, we understand that good work takes time, but we need someone who can commit to a clear timeline, communicate proactively from the start telling us what is and isn't possible and the timeline it will actually take, and bring genuine creative investment to the project. We're not looking for anyone who will stretch the budget or timeline unnecessarily. If that's you, we'd love to hear from you. Timeline: The current occupant vacates in July and we aim to start the build in August or latest September . We are paying a mortgage and it's very stretchy for us to pay both the mortgage ad rent somewhere else so we wanna be able to move in as soon as possible. Future project: If this goes well, we will engage the same architect for the main 5-bedroom house behind it.
New house on a farm. No need for Municipal approval . 3 Bedrooms, all the bedrooms on the same side of the house for security reasons. Main Bedroom walk onto large patio, with large dressing room and bathroom with bath and shower. Open plan lounge dining walk onto patio. Open plan kitchen separate scullery, pantry and laundry. study and children playroom. 3 x garages that walk into laundry
Good day, A brief summary of the requirements are as follows: 1. Removal of an existing carport from current approved plans (single carport on south side of house). 2. Removal of a a small 2m wing wall from existing approved plans (located at outside toilet). 3. Adding a new 5.3m x 7m A-Frame carport (next to existing garage). 4, Adding of new 12m x 2.1m flat roof (storage facility) on boundary wall (The house is part of a Duet and I need advise on what I would require from my neighbor, his garage is right on the boundary wall, this storage facility will be between my house and his house). 5. Adding a new entrance in an existing garage wall of about 1.2m wide (bottom of a double double story section with concrete slab). 6. Adding of swimming pool on house plan (if required, need advise on this). 7. Require assistance with the full process of getting the required legal approvals etc. on revised building plans as per above changes to existing plans. Thank you, .
I purchased a townhouse where the building plans had not been updated to reflect certain structural changes. The plans have since been revised; however, I require a registered structural engineer to inspect the braai area extension and confirm that the structure is sound and compliant with South African National Standards. Should the structure not meet the required standards, I will need the engineer to provide clear guidance on the necessary remedial work required in order to obtain approval and final sign-off.
I need designs to open the front door and make it bigger. Also to open up the front wall with a small window. Open it up with a wall to floor windows. There is a bathroom there. To create a powder room and just make a passage. Create a flush door into that passage area. Open up the right wall into the dining area. Use light oak flooring. Also create a fireplace in the living room. Change the windows to black steel doors. Make the window in the living room small as a feature window. Open up the wall at the back of remove the doors and open up the wall. Open up the wall behind with wall to floor window. Create a little bar area or create a study area.
Warm 4 bed minimum , guest and second room with en-suite, Separate guest toilets Outside toilet Mud room Study room Laundry Three garages Master bedroom with en-suits, closet for his and hers Scullery Pool, Garden storage With cover entries and bulconies Two floors , High peach roof, tiles or slate
I’m nearing completion on my home renovations. We found that certain existing parts of the property don't match the original plans, so I need to regularize this by submitting "As-Built" plans to the City of JHB. A structural engineer has already inspected the work and confirmed the changes do not negatively impact the structure; I just need to have him issue the certificate of stability.
Modern contemporary house design with scotch roof. It must be an open house plan with Luxurious feel. The land size is approx 45m by 35 m. Modern main bedroom ensuite with closet and its small verandah door exit , the plan must have 4 bedrooms including the main bedroom . The main entrance must have 2 to 3 large steps and the verandah of the main house can be also enclose with glass door . It must the of good height and the house ceiling must be high enough to give a sense of luxury and spacious . -4 Ensuites(Open Ensuite in the main bedroom) -1 Commune bathroom -1 Guest Toilet -Walk in Closet(in the main bedroom) -Lounge -Dining -Kitchen -Bar area -Laundry and Pantry -2 Double Garages at the left of the house . attached is for reference and idea of what i want modern feel with good light
Structural design of the steel frame and support system for the billboard Load calculations, including wind load (high-exposure area over a road) Assessment of the bridge structure to confirm a safe attachment points or safe adjacent installation Ensuring compliance with Municipal signage bylaws and National Building Regulations (SANS ) Preparations of full structural drawings suitable for submission and approval A site visit may be necessary due to the bridge location and traffic safety considerations Experience with billboard/signage structures and public-infrastructure installations is preferred Final output must include engineer-stamped drawings and structural sign-off certificate
warehouse 2 offices Boardroom 10 ensuite flatlets with kitchens and sitting areas 5-room staff accommodation block Shared outside shower/toilet entertainment space Vegetable growing area Parking and access flow Security and utilities recommendations Suggested zoning and future expansion ideas