We’ve all heard about construction nightmares – whether it be the architect who fails to submit plans to Council, to builders absconding with deposits and shoddy / dangerous workmanship. The irony is that it costs more to put right mistakes than it does to build / design properly in the first place. So how do you go about finding reliable & knowledgeable Contractors ? Obviously word of mouth recommendations are the best.
The first step is to make sure that your Architect / Designer is registered with SACAP – the South African Council for the Architectural Profession. It is a legal requirement for anyone practicing Architecture to be registered with this body. You can get a list of registered Architects / Designers at www.sacapsa.com. Your Architect will probably also be able to advise you on contractors etc.
You could also try are the representative bodies / institutions, a list is below – it’s not comprehensive by any means – please let me know if you have any more to add.
NHBRC – National Home Builders Regulatory Council – www.nhbrc.co.za.
The website has a list of registered Builders and Engineers.
Architects / Designers
GIFA – Gauteng Institute for Architecture – www.gifa.org.za
SAIA – South African Institute of Architects – www.saia.org.za
SAIAT – South African Institute of Architectural Technologists - www.saiat.org.za
Architectural Design Association – ADA – www.ada.co.za
Builders
Master Builders South Africa – www.mbsa.org.za
Chartered Institute of Building – CIOB – www.ciob.co.za
Institute for Timber Construction South Africa – www.itc-sa.org
Timber Frame Builders Association – www.tfba.co.za
National Pool & Spa Institute of South Africa – NSPI – www.nspi.co.za
Engineers
Southern African Institution of Civil Engineers – SAICE – www.civils.org.za
SA Reinforced Concrete Engineers Association – SARCEA – email - sarcea@iafrica.com
Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa – IMESA – www.imesa.co.za
Consulting Engineers South Africa – CESA – www.cesa.co.za
Engineering Council of South Africa – ECSA – www.ecsa.co.za
South African Institute of Electrical Engineers SAICE – www.saice.org.za
Water & Waste Management
Water Institute of South Africa – WISA – www.wisa.org.za
Institute of Waste Management Southern Africa - www.iwmsa.co.za
Electricians
Electrical Contractors Association of Southern Africa – www.ecasa.co.za
Quantity Surveyors
Association of South African Quantity Surveyors – www.asaqs.co.za
Town Planners
South African Association of Consulting Professional Planners – www.saacpp.org.za
Project Managers
South African Council for Project & Construction Management Professions - www.sacpcmp.co.za
Association of Construction Project Managers – ACPM – Email - acpm@icon.co.za
Project Management Institute of South Africa – PMISA – www.pmisa.org.za
Interior Designers
SA Guild of Interior Design – www.sagid.co.za
Landscape Architects / Designers
South African Landscapers Institute – www.sali.co.za
Kitchens
Kitchen Specialists Association – KSA – www.ksa.co.za
Also :
Institute for Professional Handymen – IPH – www.iph.co.za
South African Council for Professional & Technical Surveyors – www.plato.org.za
Waterprofing Federation of SA – www.waterproofingfederation.co.za
SA Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors SAFCEC – www.safcec.org.za
South African Glass & Glazing Association SAGGA – Email - saga@aaamsa.com
SA Refridgeration & Air conditioning Contractors Association – SARACCA – www.saracca.co.za
SA Institute of Refridgeration & Air Conditioning – SAIRAC – www.sairac.co.za
Aluminium Federation of Southern Africa – AFSA – www.afsa.org.za
Association of Architectural Aluminium Manufacturers of SA – Email - aaamsa@iafrica.com
Brick Paving Institute – www.bpisa.co.za
Cement & Concrete Institute – www.cnci.org.za
Claybrick Association – www.claybrick.org.za
Concrete Manufacturers Association – www.cma.org.za
Concrete Society of Southern Africa – www.concretesociety.co.za
Websites such as www.greenstuff.co.za are also a valuable source of information when finding suppliers etc. etc
Claire - 082 399 0180
bluedesigns5@gmail.com
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