Why alternative building methods aren't yet feasible in SA

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“There is a resistance to alternative methods in South Africa,” says Bert van den Heever, immediate past president of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS). “Most of the alternative construction methods have concentrated on providing alternative walling and roofing systems, the two largest elements you see when looking at a building. “Trying to save money on walling using alternative building methods is sometimes a futile exercise as walling normally comes in at less than 10% of the total project cost,” van den Heever said.

Knock Factor Effect

The use of clad walling systems has resulted in a negative perception in the lower end of the housing market called the Knock Factor Effect. People knock the walls, if they sound hollow they instantly perceive the build as not solid or secure. They want the solidity of brick – the traditional materials - over the perceived flimsiness of panels – the alternative ones.”

In addition to the impact of perception, alternative building materials are not always readily available in South Africa and often have to be imported. This pins on a price tag that few can afford. As a result, there is some growth within the high-end market, but limited uptake in the lower end of the market.

“The value of using alternative building methods is hard to quantify,” says van den Heever. “We can show a client how using method B compared to method A will affect costs and often the answer isn’t in favour of alternative solutions. What we do is look at is every aspect of the building and assess exactly what the costs are going to be from the start. We bring clarity – you may not like the answer, but you will know exactly where you stand.”

Impact of cost

Whether adopting alternative or investing in traditional, the method and materials of the build are not the questions that the customer should be asking. Instead, they should be looking at the impact of cost right from the planning stage of the project to ensure that every part of the project, from the meters to the materials, are assessed and evaluated.

“People often complain that there are hidden costs in their build; that the project price is stacking up in spite of a clear quote at the start,” adds van den Heever. “That’s the pitfall that the quantity surveyor helps you avoid. We can put figures down that show you what you can get, from what you want, in the budget you have. You want to invest in alternative building methods? With that kind of clarity into spend and capability, you can, and you can do it without unpleasant surprises.”