SA Developers concerned over new building regs

Several leading home construction companies are concerned that new building regulations could add to the woes of the South Africa real estate market by making new build properties much more expensive to produce.

The changes are designed to ensure that property in South Africa conforms to energy efficiency targets and while the industry in general agree that ‘green’ policies are a step in the right direction to reduce energy wastage the increased cost of construction from design to completion is bound to place a new property in a much higher price bracket than an existing property of similar dimensions.

The fresh rules include a stipulation that new homes must have an alternative source of heating water for 50 per cent of the supply needed, roof and wall insulation must comply with stipulated materials and architects and designers may need to undergo specialised training courses in energy efficiency design.

However energy specialists expect higher building costs will be recouped in the savings made on household running costs.