A Guide to Plot and Plan

The following serves as a guide to assist you when considering plot and plan

BEFORE BUILDING

Determine affordability

Aska Property Group has teamed up with major financial institutions as well as two of the leading bond origination companies to assist you with your pre-qualification and finding the best possible package available for you.

Select a plot
Sandown has a variety of different size plots known as small, medium and large. The Aska team will assist you in selecting the best available plot to meet your needs, all within your budget.

Designing your home
Work with an architect to prepare a conceptual drawing of your new home — these drawings will be used to determine the estimated cost.
The Aska team will send the respective plan out to our panel of preferred building contractors for a building quote. Once the quotes have been submitted the Aska team will then dissect the quotes to ascertain the most favourable quote for you.
Once you have selected a builder, the building contract will form part of your bond application.

Bond application process
When you're applying for a bond you'll be applying for what’s known as a Mother Bond — this consists of a bond for both your plot and a building loan.
Please note: Your Offer to Purchase for the plot and the Building Contract will be needed to submit a formal loan application.

BUILDING PROCESS

Transfer of ownership
The seller’s attorney will correspond with the Financial Institution’s attorney attending to the registration of the bond. The registration of the bond will take place simultaneously with the transfer of ownership of the plot.

Submission of house plans to Local Authority
The Sandown development is governed by a Home Owner’s Association, whose Constitution requires that all plans must first obtain the Association’s approval prior to submission to the Local Authority (City of Cape Town).
The HOA approval is evidenced by a stamp on the drawings, signed and dated on the date of approval.

Construction of your new home
Please note: The contractor should not commence construction without first obtaining building plan approval as seen above.
The Building Contract should detail the various stages of construction and when payments are to be made — this is known as progress payments.
  • The contractor, acting for the owner, often applies for a water meter connection from the Local Authority, so as to ensure that there is a supply of water required for construction purposes.
  • Towards the end of construction, the contractor makes the necessary application to the relevant electrical supplier for a meter and an electrical connection. A temporary connection may be installed earlier for the purposes of construction.

Post-build

Inspection/s
  • During the construction process the contractor will request progress payments (often referred to as “draws”) for work completed to date. Payments are to be made by you or as draws against your bond if financed by the Financial Institution - who will send an inspector to ensure that payments are made in line with progress of construction.
  • The Local Authority will also send an inspector to the site, most often at the commencement of construction to ensure that the dwelling is correctly positioned, after the installation of the drainage and again at the end of construction to ensure that the completed dwelling is suitable for occupation.
Pre-hand over inspection
  • Prior to completion, the Contractor will set up a site inspection for you to snag the home. A detailed inspection of the home should be made and defects should be documented.
Building Draws
  • Interest on building draws – it is important to note that the Financial Institutions charge interest on the building draws from the moment the first draw is paid out.

MOVING INTO YOUR NEW HOME

Occupation, Certificates and Warranties
On occupation, you should receive the following from the Contractor:
  • All the keys
  • Guarantees as issued or due by the suppliers or manufacturers in respect of goods supplied or manufactured i.e. Hot Water Cylinders
  • The following Certificates of Compliance:
  • The Electrical Compliance Certificate,
  • A Plumbing Compliance Certificate,
  • The A19 Roof Certificate,
  • An Engineering Certificate for structural elements where applicable i.e. concrete stairs, double storey construction, supporting beams
  • Where gas appliances have been fitted, an appropriate Gas Installation Certificate.
  • The Financial Institution will require a Certificate of Occupancy before releasing the final draw against the bond. This certificate can be obtained from the Local Authority Building Inspector who will require the above listed certificates prior to issuing the Certificate of Occupancy.
  • The Contractor’s Warranty in respect of the structure i.e. a 1-year guarantee against roof and gutter leakage and a 5-year guarantee on the structure.
Maintenance Warranty
  • A Maintenance Warranty is often documented within the Building Contract or as an annexure thereto.
  • After taking occupation, you should document any defects and furnish this to the contractor so he can attend to these items at a time convenient to both parties.