How much does it cost to build a house in South Africa in 2024?
Owning a home is something that numerous South Africans desire. Some people get ownership through purchasing already built houses, while others would rather build their homes. How much does it cost to build a house in South Africa? Figuring out the exact cost is daunting because the market rates keep fluctuating, but you will get insight into what it takes now.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- How much does it cost to build a house in South Africa in 2024?
- Is building a house cheaper than buying in South Africa?
- How much will it cost to build a 3-bedroom house in South Africa?
- How much will it cost to build a 3-bedroom house in Cape Town?
- How long does it take to build a 3 bedroom house in South Africa?
- Can R100 000 build a house in South Africa?
- How much will it cost to build a 4-bedroom house in South Africa?
- How much does a 2-room building material cost at Cashbuild?
- How much does a 1-room building material cost in South Africa?
- How much does it cost to draw up house plans in South Africa?
Building costs in the country vary from one location to another. Even so, you should have a realistic budget before you embark on a construction journey.
How much does it cost to build a house in South Africa in 2024?
Before delving into the estimated cost of building a house in South Africa, it is essential to mention that the location will influence how much you spend.
Constructing a home in a rural area, for instance, is generally cheaper than in a city. This is because the site directly affects factors such as the prices of construction materials, equipment, and labour. The table below shows the estimated cost of constructing a house in South Africa.
| House type | Estimated cost |
| One bedroom | R700,000 |
| Two bedroom | R800,000 |
| Three bedroom | R1 million to R3 million |
| Four and five bedroom | R2.5 million to R7 million |
The table below shows the breakdown cost by area.
| Province | Cost per square meter | Standard (146 meter) home | 90 meter home |
| KwaZulu Natal | R14,860 | R2,170,000 | R1,340,000 |
| Gauteng | R13,330 | R1,945,000 | R1,200,000 |
| Western Cape | R13,150 | R1,920,000 | R1,180,000 |
| North West | R7,980 | R1,165,000 | R720,000 |
| Mpumalanga | R9,190 | R1,350,000 | R830,000 |
| Limpopo | R8,450 | R1,235,000 | R760,000 |
| Northern Cape | R10,370 | R1,515,000 | R935,000 |
| Eastern Cape | R10,890 | R1,590,000 | R980,000 |
| Free State | R11,290 | R1,650,000 | R1,015,000 |
How much does it cost to build a house from scratch in South Africa?
Building costs in South Africa vary depending on the size of the structure. Some of the charges to expect are listed below.
- Price of land
- Professional fees
- Council planning approvals
- Municipal rate
- Electricity connection charges
- Service costs
- The actual cost of building
- NHBRC charges (if you intend to rent the structure)
Price of land
The first thing you will spend your money on is a parcel of land in your ideal location. You should overlook this cost if you already own land. Some people own land through inheritance or previous purchases.
NB: Before you construct anything, ascertain that the land belongs to you. You do not want to spend your hard-earned cash on a structure only to discover later that you are not the legal owner of the land it sits on.
Source: UGC
Professional fees
The total cost of building a house includes professional fees, which is the amount you will give to certain professionals for different services. You will be required to pay an architect to design your home, a quantity surveyor to quantify your building materials, a structural engineer, and an electrician.
Some people may also require an interior designer. The amount you pay each professional varies based on their rates and your agreement with them.
Construction expenses
The cost of building will depend on the size of the house, desired finishing, location, and current market price of various construction items.
Some of the items you will purchase include steel, bricks, cement, concrete, wood, stones, sand, roofing sheets, plumbing materials, and electric materials, among many others. The construction index in South Africa determines the overall price of building a home.
In simple terms, the construction index is a factor that determines the increase or decrease in the monetary value of equipment, construction materials, and labour in a specific location.
The building material price index, also known as the Construction Input Price Index (CIPI), is also commonly used in the country. The CIPI determines the price of construction materials, and statistics show that the cost has been increasing steadily over the last couple of years.
The index has shown an increase of about 0.2% on a month-on-month basis. The last CIPI review was done in October 2021. Generally, the cost of building in the country is between R10,000 and R20,000 per square metre.
If you want luxury finishing, the price will be higher. You can also build at a lower rate of about R5,000 per square metre.
Specialist items
Specialist items are normally excluded by the main contractor. They include cupboards, lights, kitchen and bathroom fittings, and other accessories.
Miscellaneous expenses
When constructing your home, you should include miscellaneous expenses in your budget. This money will cater for travel, accommodation, and meals for remote sites, administrative fees and planning expenses.
Source: UGC
Is building a house cheaper than buying in South Africa?
Many people battle with the choice between constructing and purchasing a home. It has been established that constructing a home may cost 20-30% more on average. Before making the final decision, you should weigh the pros and cons of each.
Buying an existing home is convenient and quicker, and it allows you to compare prices before giving out your money. However, you may need renovations, the design may not be what you dream of, and it may have outdated technologies.
On the other hand, constructing your home allows you to customise your design, has fewer maintenance issues, and gives a sense of pride. On the flip side, it takes time to complete the project and may attract unforeseen costs.
How much will it cost to build a 3-bedroom house in South Africa?
The average cost of building a 3-bedroom house covering an area of 146 square metres is slightly under R2 million.
The actual 3-room building material cost in South Africa varies depending on the location, size of the home, design, and the landscape you are building on.
How much will it cost to build a 3-bedroom house in Cape Town?
The construction cost of a house in Cape Town can vary, with an average cost of around R13,150 per square metre. For instance, a standard 146-square-metre home may amount to approximately R1,920,000, while a 90-square-metre home could cost around R1,180,000.
How long does it take to build a 3 bedroom house in South Africa?
The duration of building a 3-bedroom home from start to finish normally takes around eight months. This will significantly depend on the cash flow.
Can R100 000 build a house in South Africa?
Although constructing a traditional house may not be possible with R100,000, you could consider investing in a smaller prefab home within that budget. The specific cost will be influenced by factors such as the size of the structure and the chosen finishes.
How much will it cost to build a 4-bedroom house in South Africa?
The 4-room building material cost in South Africa may vary from one region to another. On average, the general cost to build a 4-bedroom house in South Africa can range between R1.5 million to R4 million inclusive of labour and material costs.
How much does a 2-room building material cost at Cashbuild?
Cashbuild is one of the largest retailers of building materials in SA. Material costs can vary depending on the size of your two-room house. For instance, a brick will cost you anywhere from R2.45 to R6.59. A bag of cement will cost you anywhere from R101.90 to R120.45.
How much does a 1-room building material cost in South Africa?
The construction materials for a one-bedroom house are relatively inexpensive as the space required is significantly less when compared to a three or four-bedroom house. On average you can spend around R700,00.
How much does it cost to draw up house plans in South Africa?
The expenses for house plans can differ based on various factors. For an average-sized family home, the cost typically ranges from R2,500 to R4,000. For a contemporary-style family home you can spend between R8,000 and R15,000.
How much does it cost to build a house in South Africa? While many people ask this question daily, it is challenging to give an exact figure. Even so, we hope that the information above guides you in budgeting for your dream home.
Briefly.co.za recently published a complete list of roof sheeting prices in South Africa. The South African market has various types of roof sheets, each with unique properties and advantages.
Since roofing sheets should suit the specific requirements of your building project, it would help if you researched the prevailing prices for different metal roof sheeting prices in South Africa before making a purchase.
Source: Briefly News
Jedidah Tabalia Jedi is a journalist with over 5 years working experience in the media industry. She has a BSc. in Human Resource Management from Moi University (graduated in 2014) and a working in progress MBA in Strategic Management. Having joined Genesis in 2017, Jedi is a passionate Facts and Life Hacks, Fitness, and Health content creator who sees beauty in everything. She loves traveling and checking out new restaurants. Her email address is jedidahtabalia@gmail.com
Jackline Wangare (Lifestyle writer) Jackline Simwa is a content writer at Briefly.co.za, where she has worked since mid-2021. She tackles diverse topics, including finance, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. Previously, she worked at The Campanile by Kenyatta University. She has more than five years in writing. Jackline graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (2019) and a Diploma in Marketing (2015) from Kenyatta University. In 2023, Jackline finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques and Google News Initiative course in 2024. Email: simwajackie2022@gmail.com.
