The blog
Stories, news and ideas from the SA build.
Original journalism, project features, monthly market commentary and the long reads we wish someone had written for us when we built.
Market commentary· 03 May 2026 · 7 min
The April 2026 build cost index, by province
Where SA construction costs went last month, what's moving the price, and where the squeeze is showing up in quotes.
By The Build Hub research desk
This week
Project stories· 11 min read
Inside a R 4.2m Cape Dutch restoration in Tulbagh
Sustainability· 8 min read
Solar payback in 2026, calculated for every province
Industry news· 5 min read
What the 2026 NHBRC fee structure means for new builds
Project stories· 9 min read
A R 1.8m modernist build in the Karoo, finished in 11 months
Sections
1
Industry news
Regulation shifts, NHBRC announcements, market moves.
Read
2Project stories
Real SA builds from breaking ground to hand-over.
Read
1Market commentary
Monthly cost indices and province-by-province trend pieces.
Read
1Sustainability
Solar, water harvesting, insulation and off-grid living.
Read
0Heritage & restoration
Cape Dutch, Karoo, Victorian and the rules that govern them.
Read
0Maintenance & ownership
Everything that begins after you turn the key.
Read
0Inspiration
Featured homes, moodboards and design ideas.
Read
0Glossary & explainers
Short reads that translate the trade.
Read
Latest
Market commentary· 7 min
The April 2026 build cost index, by province
Where SA construction costs went last month, what's moving the price, and where the squeeze is showing up in quotes.
The Build Hub research desk03 May 2026
Project stories· 11 min
Inside a R 4.2m Cape Dutch restoration in Tulbagh
Three years, two heritage authorities and one badly-behaved gable: how the Van der Walt family restored a 1788 home on Tulbagh's Church Street.
Andile Mthembu26 Apr 2026
Sustainability· 8 min
Solar payback in 2026, calculated for every province
Where in SA does residential rooftop solar pay back fastest? We ran the numbers for a 8 kWp system on a typical suburban load.
Dr. Mandla Sithole19 Apr 2026
Industry news· 5 min
What the 2026 NHBRC fee structure means for new builds
The Council quietly adjusted the enrolment sliding scale in March. We unpack what's actually changed and who pays more.
Tshepo Ndlovu08 Apr 2026
Project stories· 9 min
A R 1.8m modernist build in the Karoo, finished in 11 months
Wide skies, hard ground and a single courier service. Inside Petra and Klaus Beyer's off-grid Prince Albert build.
Andile Mthembu22 Mar 2026