Your rights when hiring a builder in South Africa.
Most homeowners have more protection than they realise, it applies automatically, whether or not anyone mentions it. We would rather you knew what it is, including where it applies to us.
What the law already gives you.
The CPA applies to almost every building contract with a homeowner. These rights exist automatically, and no contract, ours included, can take them away.
Quality service
Work must be performed with reasonable care and skill, on time, and to a standard you can reasonably expect. If it is not, you can require it to be put right. Section 54
Good quality materials
Materials and fittings must be safe, of good quality, usable and durable for a reasonable period. Section 55
Six-month warranty
You have six months to return goods that are defective, unsafe or not fit for their purpose, repaired, replaced or refunded, at your choice. Section 56
Three months on repairs
Any repair carries a three-month warranty covering that repair and the parts fitted. Section 57
Unfair terms are void
A supplier cannot impose contract terms that are unfair, unreasonable or unjust. If they do, those terms can be struck out. Section 48
No buried fine print
Any term limiting a supplier's liability must be brought to your attention before you sign, not hidden in fine print. Section 49
Cover on newly built homes.
NHBRC warranty cover applies to new homes built by registered home builders. It runs from the date of occupation, and you must notify the builder and the NHBRC in writing.
- 3 months, minor defects
- 12 months, roof leaks
- 5 years, major structural defects
Being straight with you about the gap
Renovations, alterations and extensions to an existing home generally fall outside current NHBRC warranty cover. That is the law as it stands, not something a contractor chooses.
It is changing. The Housing Consumer Protection Act 25 of 2024 was signed into law in January 2025. It extends NHBRC cover to repairs, renovations, alterations and extensions to existing homes, requires owner-builders to register, and renames the Council the National Home Building Regulatory Council.
Its commencement date is still to be proclaimed, commentary widely anticipates 2027, but no date is fixed in law yet. Until it commences, the 1998 Act still applies.
When it commences we will update this page and our certificates to match.
What we add on top.
Because renovation work sits outside NHBRC cover today, we put our own commitment in writing instead of leaving you with nothing.
Quality certificate
Issued and signed at handover, listing the exact workmanship items we cover.
60-day follow-up
We come back at no cost to check the work has held up.
Fixed at our cost
Covered workmanship defects are rectified by us, no dispute, no charge.
Questions worth asking any builder, including us.
If a contractor cannot answer these clearly, that tells you something useful before money changes hands.
Why Contractors All Risks cover matters
Building work carries risks that ordinary household insurance does not cover. Contractors All Risks (CAR) insurance covers damage to the works while they are being built, the materials on site, and injury or damage caused to other people and their property during construction, a wall that collapses, a burst pipe that floods a neighbour, tools and materials stolen off site.
It is not required by law, which is exactly why it is worth asking about. If a contractor has no CAR cover and something goes wrong, the cost of putting it right has to come from somewhere, and that is often a dispute you did not budget for.
For the avoidance of doubt on our side: we carry Contractors All Risks cover, and we will send you the schedule if you ask for it. What this cover actually does
Ours are published on this site: NHBRC 4000022154 · COIDA CF Reg. 990001226194 · Registered asbestos contractor 2026RAC/OHS-CI069 (Type 2) · Contractors All Risks insured.
Where to take it.
Tell us first
Call 021 201 9863, WhatsApp us or email info@fnbuildingprojects.co.za. Most things are fixed faster by a phone call than a process.
NHBRC
For homes covered by NHBRC warranty, complaints can be lodged with the Council directly at nhbrc.org.za.
National Consumer Commission
For Consumer Protection Act complaints against any supplier, including builders.
Consumer court or ombud
Provincial consumer courts and the relevant ombud schemes can hear disputes that stay unresolved.
The source documents.
We would rather you checked us than took our word for it. These are the official texts, straight from government.
Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008
The Act that gives you the rights set out above. In force since 31 March 2011.
gov.za · PDF 612 KBHousing Consumer Protection Act 25 of 2024
The new Act extending NHBRC cover to renovations and alterations. Commencement still to be proclaimed.
gov.za · PDF 861 KBHousing Consumers Protection Measures Act 95 of 1998
The Act currently in force, setting the NHBRC warranty periods. To be repealed by the 2024 Act.
gov.zaCPA, consolidated text
SAFLII’s consolidated version of the Consumer Protection Act, including amendments.
saflii.orgNHBRC
Warranty cover, builder registration lookup, and how to lodge a complaint.
nhbrc.org.zaNational Consumer Commission
Where Consumer Protection Act complaints against any supplier are lodged.
thencc.org.zaUse this page on us.
Ask us any of these questions on a free site visit: the insurance, the certificates, the NHBRC gaps, all of it. A builder with nothing to hide won't mind. That's rather the point.
Book Free Site VisitPlease note: this page is general information about rights that apply in South Africa. It is not legal advice, it is not exhaustive, and it does not replace the specific terms of your contract with us or the wording of the legislation itself. If you need advice on your situation, speak to an attorney. Last reviewed: 19 July 2026.