Plan · Project planner
A 34-week build, sequenced for SA
A working Gantt for a typical residential build, with municipal approval lead times and seasonal weather built in. Tweak the start date and rainfall region to see when each trade should be on site.
Start month
The month you intend to break ground.
Year
Rainfall pattern
Affects which months are flagged as rainy.
Phases
Design & drawings
Council plan approval
Tender & contractor selection
Site mobilisation
Foundations & slab
Walls to wall plate
Roof structure & cover
Windows, doors, ceilings
Plumbing & electrical 1st fix
Plaster, screeds, waterproofing
Tiling & built-ins
Paint & 2nd fix
Driveway, fencing, landscaping
Snag list & sign-off
Occupation certificate & handover
Mar 26
Apr 26
May 26
Jun 26
Jul 26
Aug 26
Sep 26
Oct 26
Nov 26
Dec 26
Jan 27
Phase notes
Design & drawings
W-10 → W-4
Architect concept → working drawings → SANS 10400 sign-off.
Council plan approval
W-8 → W-1
Allow 30 days for <90m², 60 days for larger. Most metros run long.
Tender & contractor selection
W-6 → W-2
Three quotes minimum. NHBRC + CIDB check before signing.
Site mobilisation
W1 → W2
Boundary, ablutions, water & power, NHBRC enrolment.
Foundations & slab
W2 → W5
Engineer-supervised. Allow for rain delays in summer rainfall areas.
Walls to wall plate
W5 → W11
Brickwork pace ~1m vertical per week per gang.
Roof structure & cover
W11 → W15
Try to close the roof before rainy season hits.
Windows, doors, ceilings
W14 → W18
Sequence carefully with plaster — schedule clash risk.
Plumbing & electrical 1st fix
W12 → W18
First-fix inspection by local authority.
Plaster, screeds, waterproofing
W16 → W22
Wet trades drive everything else.
Tiling & built-ins
W22 → W28
Sample boards approved in writing before installing.
Paint & 2nd fix
W26 → W31
Two undercoats and two top coats — anything less is a red flag.
Driveway, fencing, landscaping
W28 → W33
Often deferred — keep budget aside.
Snag list & sign-off
W32 → W34
Walk-through with a neutral building inspector if you can afford it.
Occupation certificate & handover
W33 → W34
Don't accept handover without the OC in hand.
A 34-week programme is the floor, not the ceiling
Most homeowners in SA experience 4–8 weeks of slippage in the first build. Plan for it. The day council issues your plan approval is the day the schedule above can start counting up from week 1.