Answering the questions
you might have about getting your project off the ground
Where do I begin?
You’ve decided you’d like to do something new on your property. The ideas are overflowing but where do you begin?
Right here!
The first step is to contact an architectural professional who can help you understand what you can or can’t do on your property. That’s us. Our process starts with a review of documents relating to your property, a site visit where you can explain what you’re wanting in real time and a review of planning and building control regulations.
With the above information in hand, we will be able to give you a quote and a report that details our initial assessment and expected timelines.
After that, the ball is in your court. If you like what you see, we sign an agreement and just like that your project is underway!
Important to note: Every architectural practice operated differently. The process outlined reflects the way we work best to ensure a smooth, intentional and effective experience for our clients.
What determines what I can or can’t do on my property?
Item 1: Title Deed
This highlights any restrictive conditions that may be imposed on your individual property. This may relate to the work you want to do (e.g. you want to add a flat to your property to rent out but your title deed restricts the addition of a second dwelling)
Item 2: Estate Guidelines
If your property falls in an estate, there may be design guidelines we would need to be aware of that influence what can be done on your property or how it might be executed.
Item 3: Zoning of the Property
Based on the zoning, there are certain rules applicable to the property. We obtain these from the municipal planning by-law for the municipal area under which your property falls. (These include items like how close you can build to your boundary or how much of the site you can cover with a building footprint.)
Item 4: Previously Approved Plans
The latest set of approved plans shows the last record that the local authority has. This is assessed to see how much room is available to implement the design you want. (e.g. You want to put in a new covered patio; we use the latest plans to see how much coverage you already have and how much you have left)
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With all of the above, we can help you understand what can be done and what kind of applications we trigger along the process.
How do I know I have the right architect for my project?
When you need plans drawn up, you need to approach a registered architectural professional.
First: REGISTERED
ALL architectural professionals that practice in South Africa need to have their professional registration with the professional body called SACAP (South African Council for the Architectural Professional). In short, SACAP exists to make sure that architectural professionals respect the public, their peers and the environment with their work. The person you are talking to should be able to provide you with proof that they are registered.
Second: ARCHITECTURAL PROFESSIONAL
There are several kinds of architectural professional levels – each level determining the type of work they are allowed to do. Without getting into too much detail, there are draughtspersons, architectural technologists, senior architectural technologists and architects. Wondering which type you need? Easy! To find out if they are allowed to take on the type of project you are wanting, you can ask them for their certificate of competence. This certificate provides you a neatly summarized list of the type or work they can take on. As long as you can see your type of project on their list – you’re good with the architectural professional level you’re dealing with. Professional architects are the highest level and can take on all types of building projects so they won’t have a certificate for what they can take on.
Third: IN GOOD STANDING
To tie everything together so that you know you’ll be properly taken care of – Ask them for their certificate of good standing. It is an up-to-date certificate of confirmation from the professional body that they are all good to go.
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Our certificates are time-active and should reflect the date of download. Make sure the date matches when it was sent to you.
To make sure we have the whole picture when we provide you feedback, there are a few items we need:
- Copy of your title deed
- Copy of previously approved plans
Further down the line, additional information will be requested. For local authority applications information such as your business partner number or your latest rates bill might be required. We will request additional information as needed. Below we help you understand where to get the information needed to kick off the process.
Why do I need my title deed and where I get a copy?
Your title deed is important because:
- It is proof of your ownership that you can apply for changes to your property
- It will tell you if there are any additional restrictions on your property that you need to be aware of when you build.
If your house is still with a bond, it will be with your bondholder. You can request a copy from them.
Where do I get copies of the previously approved plans for my property?
If no copies were provided when the property was bought or if you no longer have them on file, the most reliable place to request these is the local municipality. They will be able to provide you with a full record of all plans relevant to your property and it will include the approval stamp. Alternatively, you could request copies from the previous architectural professional. We offer to assist you in obtaining these copies should you not have them.
What is my business partner number and where I get it?
Your business partner is like your municipal ID number. It attaches to any property you own, your municipal rates and bills among other latest municipal bill things. The number can be found on the top right hand corner of your latest municipal rates bill.
What does the process look like?
The process depends on a number of factors stemming from the needs of your project and your property. We offer an outline of the process and key steps for a project along with important considerations at each stage. The process will be adapted as needed to suit your project specifics.
01
Initial Assessment
Your title deed will tell you if there are any restrictions on your property. Previous plans will tell you what has not yet been approved by the local authority
02
Site Inspection & Report
A site visit is necessary for an accurate assessment of what needs to be included. A report is compiled with the available options depending on the findings
03
Appoint a Professional
Once you receive a quote and if you are happy to proceed, a project agreement needs to be signed by both parties
04
Assess Needs for additional Professionals
Depending on the work, further input may be required. Consultants may include a structural engineer or a land surveyor
05
Concept & Design
Explore design options according to your brief. Using a basic sketch plan, approach a builder to offer you anticipated costs to determine whether you still want to proceed.
06
Prepare plans & documentation
Your Architectural Professional will prepare plans for submission, doing necessary checks against local authority requirements and prepare forms for signing
07
Submit Plans for Approval
Plans are submitted on your behalf by your architectural professional. Plans can take between 1 – 3 months to be approved depending on your application type.
08
Plan Approval
Plan approval is not the end of the journey! Once building work has been completed, check that everything is according to plan. If not, new plans are submitted for the changes.
09
Construction
As construction begins, remember to apply for relevant permits and inform the City when you begin for a smooth process. ALWAYS enter into a contract with your builder for your safety
10
Collect certificates
You should collect certificates for electrical, roof construction, energy efficiency (& other) compliance where necessary. This is from the relevant contractors.
11
Building inspector called to site
Request building inspection from your local building inspector via the e-services portal. This can be for either completed works or approved plans.
12
Receive your Occupancy Certificate
Request a certificate of occupancy as the final step to the process. Once received, you are DONE & DUSTED! Congratulations!
How do your quotes work?
After we have assessed what you would like to do, what your property allows and the applications we trigger, we create a quote specific to your project.
We itemise the quote so you understand how the overall amount is broken up across the process. These amounts are invoiced at the different stages enabling transparent progression of the project.
Should you choose to increase the scope or decrease the scope, we adjust the relevant itemised amounts to suit this.
Once you approve the quote, it only comes into effect once we sign an agreement that protects both parties for the duration of the project.
The information provided on this page is intended as general guidance only. Each project will require its own assessment and information required. Please contact us for professional advice specific to your project before making final decisions or taking action based on this information.