Consumer services

Building, housing, contractors

Don't get ripped off by your home builder or renovator, or by an electrical or other contractor. Here are the links you need for up-to-date advice and consumer protection.

National Home Builders Registration Council
A statutory body. By law, all home builders have to be registered with the Council, and have to comply with the Council's building quality standards. Check beforehand to see that your builder is registered, or has been suspended or deregistered - you can do this on the web site.

If you're having problems with your builder, contact the Council for assistance. The Council will investigate and get the builder to fix the problem. If your builder has gone out of business, the Council's fund will see to it that your home is brought up to scratch.

Housing Consumer Protection Trust
Legal advice on all aspects of low-cost housing.

  • Tel: (011) 333 8501
  • Toll-free: 0800 111 663
  • Fax: (011) 333 1050

Gauteng Master Builders Association
Offers a range of services to the public, either for free or for a reduced fee. If you feel a builder has provided you with unsatisfactory workmanship, the Association offers advice, inspections and mediation. You can get access to impartial contractual documents, and search the members directory online by specialty, area or company name.

  • Tel (011) 805 6688
  • Fax: (011) 805 6718
  • The Association has offices in other provinces - click on "contact info" on the web site
  • E-mail
  • Web site

Electrical Contractors Association of SA
The Association regulates the electrical industry, and guarantees to rectify defective work or materials on contracts of up to R10 000 by its members.

Institute for Timber Construction

  • Tel: (011) 974 1061
  • Fax: (011) 974 9779 or 392 6155
  • E-mail

South African Bureau of Standards
Oversees clay bricks, cement and other building materials as well as the national building regulations.

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Consumer help A - Z

Are you getting shoddy service? Is the product you bought faulty? Do you have a complaint against a company, government department, television programme, dentist, bank, estate agent? Are you unsure of your rights as a consumer? Here's a quick guide to organisations that offer you advice, assistance and protection:

Other products and services

Got a problem with a product or service not listed in the A-Z above? Auctions, electrical appliances, franchises, furniture, kitchens, cupboards, timeshare, weights and measures? And more.