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Home Renovations, Alterations and House Extensions

Home renovations, house extensions and alterations across South Africa. Send one free request and local renovation contractors quote you directly.

Service
Home Renovations
Quotes from
Building contractors
Area
All nine provinces
Cost to you
Free, with no obligation
A house extension under construction joined to an existing South African home
A house extension under construction joined to an existing South African home

Home renovations range from a fresh coat of paint and new floors to opening up rooms, adding a bedroom or building a second storey. BuildingContractors.co.za helps you find the right people. Tell us what you want to change and where you live, and we pass your request to independent renovation contractors in your area, who contact you and quote directly. We don't do renovations ourselves, the request is free and there is no obligation to accept a quote. A clear brief gets you faster, more accurate prices.

Types of home renovation

  • Cosmetic: painting, flooring, ceilings, doors and light fittings
  • Kitchens and bathrooms: the most common upgrades for comfort and resale
  • Alterations: removing walls, new openings, enlarging windows and doors
  • Repairs: damp, cracks, roof leaks and failed waterproofing
  • Extensions: extra bedrooms, a family room, a garage or a flatlet

Many projects combine several of these, so ask whether one contractor will manage the whole job.

House extensions and plan approval

House extensions need municipal plan approval before work starts, and so do most structural alterations and new outbuildings. Plans must meet SANS 10400 and your property's zoning, building lines and coverage limits. Removing a load-bearing wall needs a correctly sized lintel or beam, usually specified by an engineer. Purely cosmetic work such as painting, tiling and replacing fittings normally needs no plans. If you are unsure, ask the contractor or your council before work begins.

Choosing home renovation contractors

Good home renovation contractors will visit, look at the existing structure and point out problems before quoting: rising damp, old wiring, cracked walls or a sagging roof. Ask for references from similar renovations and photos of finished work. Any new electrical work needs a Certificate of Compliance and plumbing work a plumbing CoC from a registered plumber. Agree how dust, rubble removal, working hours and access will be handled, especially if you are living in the house during the work.

Budget, contract and payments

Renovations often uncover surprises, so keep a contingency of around 10 to 15 percent. Get itemised quotes based on the same scope and finishes, and agree in writing how extra work will be priced. A written contract with a modest deposit and payments by completed stages protects both sides. Hold back a small final amount until the snag list is done. Never pay the full price before the work is finished.

Comparing quotes for home renovations

The lowest price is not always the best value. When your quotes arrive, check:

  • Scope: what is included item by item, and which materials the contractor supplies.
  • Payment: a deposit and payments in stages as work is completed, never most of it upfront.
  • Time: the start date, how long the work will take and what happens if it runs late.
  • Compliance and guarantee: approvals and certificates needed for the job, and the guarantee on workmanship.

What to include in your request

  • Rooms or areas to be renovated, with photos
  • Size of any extension in m² and whether plans exist
  • Finishes you want or have already chosen
  • Whether you will live in the house during the work
  • Budget range and preferred start date

Frequently asked questions

Do you do renovations yourselves?
No. BuildingContractors.co.za is a free quote-request service. We pass your request to independent renovation contractors near you, who contact you and quote directly. There is no fee for the request and no obligation to accept any quote you receive.
Do I need plans for a renovation?
Extensions, new rooms, structural alterations and changes to the outside of the building normally need municipal plan approval. Cosmetic work such as painting, flooring and replacing fittings usually doesn't. Rules vary between municipalities and estates, so check with your council or contractor before you start.
Can I live in my house during renovations?
Often, yes, especially for work done in phases. Kitchen and bathroom renovations are harder to live with, and large extensions bring dust, noise and services being switched off. Discuss the order of work, working hours and how areas will be closed off with the contractor before work starts.
Is it cheaper to extend or move?
It depends on your property and plans. Extending avoids transfer duty, bond costs and agent's commission, but large extensions can be costly and may not add their full cost to resale value in every area. Get quotes for the extension and compare them honestly against the cost of moving.

Home Renovations by province

Home Renovations by city and town

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