Rand Construction

23/11/2021

What’s better: an established house or a brand-new built-from-scratch property?

Building vs buying a house ???

Existing homes tend to be situated on larger stands and are closer to the CBD and established infrastructure.
They often come with established landscaping, allow for a quicker move and generally offer better investment potential.
Building your own house means you can create a home that exactly matches your specifications – and issues and defects are usually covered under guarantee.
New builds generally have lower ongoing maintenance and running costs.
When it comes to building vs buying a house in South Africa, everyone will have their own reasons for choosing one over the other. Ultimately, it’s about what’s right for you.

However, those unsure whether it’s better to buy a home or build one should take into account the cost of building a house in South Africa versus the cost of buying one, as well as other factors that can play an important role.

Building vs buying a house: How do I make the choice?
Here, we present a guide to the pros and cons of each approach, so that you can make an informed decision.

The advantages of buying an existing home
An established property will usually be located closer to a city center than a new home (vacant stands are rare in inner-city areas). This means it will be close to schools, public transport, work opportunities, and restaurants.
An established home may already have a garden, and even a swimming pool; things you’d have to pay through the nose for in a new build.
Buying an established home is a quicker process, usually taking around three months to secure the home loan, pay the deposit and present attorneys with necessary documents.
You can compare prices when investigating established homes, and look for the best deal when applying for a home loan.
The complications of buying an existing home
The home may be located in an older building, which may not be sufficiently energy-efficient. In fact, it may not be well-suited to the current world of tech at all.
You may have to perform renovations to get the home up to standards. Depending on how extensive the renovations are, you may end up practically having to build a new home anyway.
The home will feel “lived-in”, which can be a turn-off for people looking to start anew with their family.
Older properties can be sold ‘voetstoots’ without a warranty.
The advantages of building a new home
Building a new home provides tax benefits, such as the ability to claim depreciation over the next few years.
Since there’s no transfer of property from one owner to another, you save on transfer duty and avoid some of the legal processes that home buyers have to go through.
You can build a modern home that is more energy-efficient and tech-friendly.
You can build a home to your exact specifications, including interior design.
A brand new home will have fewer maintenance issues.
The feeling of knowing you and your family will be the first to live in the home.
There’s less competition for buying a plot of land and building a home on it than there is for buying established homes.
Designing and building the home yourself will strengthen your feeling of ownership over it. The stories you’ll share with your friends while you’re enjoying a cold one around the braai become more real, and you’re passionate about them because you were involved in the process.
The complications of building a new home
New homes take months to build and can involve a number of delays and complications.
You may need to rent a property to live in while your new home is being built.
Adding a garden can significantly raise the costs of building a new home.
The pivotal question: Is it cheaper to build or buy a house?
So once you add up all the costs, which approach is going to make a bigger dent in your financial resources? Data shows that building a home costs 20-30% more on average.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that building a new home is more expensive. However, in the long-term, it can save money by eliminating the need for costly renovation, along with the legal fees of transferring the bond. A new home will also be more valuable, thanks to a more modern design.

Getting a loan for building a home
If you decide to build a new home from scratch and need finance to do it, you need to apply for a building loan. The process is similar to applying for a home loan, requiring a thorough evaluation from the bank that includes checking your credit record.

However, in this case, the funds are paid to the building contractor, and the bank retains the final payment until construction is complete.

Of course, if you choose to buy an established home instead, you’ll have to apply for a home loan.

In the case of a building loan or a home loan, you can employ a home loan comparison service such as ooba home loans to apply to multiple banks on your behalf and compare interest rates to secure you the best deal.

ooba home loans also offer a range of tools that make the home buying or building process easier. Start with their home loan calculators; then use their free, online prequalification tool, the ooba Bond Indicator, to determine what you can afford. Finally, when you’re ready, you can apply for a home loan.

17/05/2021

Now Is The Right Time To Build Your Dream Home!!!

People often wonder when the best time of the year is to start building a new home. Among all the seasons, spring is usually the optimum time to start construction on a new house due to faster timelines, better weather conditions, optimal windows of opportunity for landscape installation, and fewer delays in the building process.

That said, here in Cape Town, our mild weather patterns allow us to build from the ground up throughout the year. After more than 60 years serving this area, we at Rand Construction have noticed different advantages of building homes in different seasons. While spring is an ideal time to start building a home, the fall and winter months are usually when building materials and construction costs are lowest because there is less demand.

Let’s dive deeper and explore the reasons why home buyers should consider building their homes in the spring.

1. Get a Head Start on the Building Rush

Summer is typically the busiest time of year for general contractors and builders. Likewise, builders also have a more difficult time scheduling subcontractors, electricians, etc., because their schedules fill up, too. The later into the spring and summer you start, the more likely it is for builders to be backlogged and to put your construction project on hold. Starting your building project in the spring puts you first on their calendars – before things get busy.

2. Undivided Attention

Another advantage to getting the construction process started early in the spring is that builders will still have fewer projects on their books; essentially giving your project the same level of attention you’d receive if you started in the winter months, but without as many weather delays. Additionally, if there are special considerations with your home (e.g., specialized countertops or modified floor plans or home designs), the builder can hone in on those issues earlier in the year.

3. Costs Remain Low as Weather Improves.

As spring turns into summer, demand for labor and supplies goes up, which can push your costs a bit higher. Starting in early spring means you have the advantage of building in better weather before costs start increasing dramatically.

4. Optimum Weather and Temperatures for Building.

While spring storms can cause temporary delays, Alabama’s spring weather is perfect for working outdoors, which often means longer workdays. Starting in spring means that, weather permitting, your new home may be completed in a shorter time frame than if you begin in the hotter summer months or during a cold, wet winter.

5. Extends Your Building Season, if Needed.

If you have a particularly large, elaborate, or complex home building project, it may take longer to complete. Starting your home in spring enables your builders to take full advantage of the best weather months of the year. They will have plenty of time to work through spring, summer, and fall, if necessary, with fewer delays.

These are just a few reasons why it might make sense for you to begin building your new home in the spring. To learn more about the advantages of starting early and to look at a selection of house designs, contact Rand Construction today.

Comment with your email address and phone number to receive a quote!

29/06/2020

Not sure if you should renovate your home before putting it on the market?

While this question doesn’t have a right or wrong answer (as it’s dependent on the specific situation of each homeowner) it is something we get asked often. Here are some of the main factors to keep in mind when deciding whether it’s smart to renovate before listing.

Define Your Target Audience

Begin thinking of your home as a product: Which demographic will it target? What will the future buyer want from it? For example: if your house was designed with a family in mind, is less than 2,000 square feet and is in a quiet residential sub-division with good schools, your target audience is more than likely young families. This could mean the prospective buyer would want a turnkey home. If the buyer has a young child, they may not want to go through the renovation process and would rather pay a little extra for a space they can move into right away. If you think this is the case, then consider renovating, as you should see a good return on your investment.

Property market. Is it a seller’s or buyer’s market? Ask us for input: we should be able to inform you on how the market is performing in your area. This will help guide your decision. If the market is in favour of sellers, then increasing your home’s value by renovating might be the right move.

Consider Your Home’s Condition

If your property requires a lot of modernization – maybe it hasn’t been touched since the 1990s and needs a complete overhaul to appeal to certain buyers – think twice before renovating. This is obviously a personal decision, but taking on a large renovation can unveil a series of issues that could turn your home into a money pit. The tactic here might be to leave your home as is and reduce the price based on the need for renovations. While you won’t be able to sell for as high, it could be a savvy financial decision in the long run.

Comment with your email address and phone number to receive a quote from us.
If you prefer desgression contact us on 0678934326

12/04/2020

Thinking Of Building a House???

Building your dream home can be one of the most exciting and rewarding projects you can undertake. Getting the opportunity to plan out each step of the process and make the decisions about your building project is a big responsibility, and can be overwhelming for even the most experienced do-it-yourselfers. Taking the scope of the project into account before you get started can help make the process go a lot more smoothly. Learn the proper ways to find the right location, design your home, acquire the correct permits, and breaking ground. See Step 1 to learn how to get started building your own house.

Select a desirable place for your house. There are many factors to consider when finding a suitable location on which to build your home.
Think about a place you'd like to live long-term and keep in mind things like
Climate. Special considerations must be made for building in flood, hurricane, intense heat, frigid cold, and other extreme weather and climatic conditions.
Ground stability. Houses built on shifting sand, mucky soil, or other unstable earth will likely fail over a short period of time unless they are built on special foundations or pilings.
Availability of utilities. If you intend to have electric power, potable water, telephone, and other conveniences, make sure these utility providers offer them at your location.
Community infrastructure. If you plan to raise children or have kids, make sure good quality schools are available. Check to see if you are in a police jurisdiction to protect you from crime, look at the distance you will have to travel to acquire basic commodities, and whether medical help is nearby.

Comment with your email and number to receive a quote.

16/02/2020

How to Build a House

Building your dream home can be one of the most exciting and rewarding projects you can undertake. Getting the opportunity to plan out each step of the process and make the decisions about your building project is a big responsibility, and can be overwhelming for even the most experienced do-it-yourselfers. Taking the scope of the project into account before you get started can help make the process go a lot more smoothly. Learn the proper ways to find the right location, design your home, acquire the correct permits, and breaking ground. See Step 1 to learn how to get started building your own house.

Select a desirable place for your house. There are many factors to consider when finding a suitable location on which to build your home.
Think about a place you'd like to live long-term and keep in mind things like
Climate. Special considerations must be made for building in flood, hurricane, intense heat, frigid cold, and other extreme, weather and climatic conditions.
Ground stability. Houses built on shifting sand, mucky soil, or other unstable earth will likely fail over a short period of time unless they are built on special foundations or pilings.
Availability of utilities. If you intend to have electric power, potable water, telephone, and other conveniences, make sure these utility providers offer them at your location.
Community infrastructure. If you plan to raise children or have kids, make sure good quality schools are available. Check to see if you are in a police jurisdiction to protect you from crime, look at the distance you will have to travel to acquire basic commodities, and whether medical help is nearby.

Comment with your email and number to receive a quote.

01/01/2020

FIVE REASONS WHY PEOPLE CONSISTENTLY CHOOSE OUR BUILDERS

1 OUR BUILDERS ARE SKILLED & EXPERIENCED

2 OUR BUILDERS ARE TRADE REG

3 TEAM WORK IS EFFICIENT A HOUSE BUILT WITHIN 4 WORKING DAYS

4 WE WORK HAND IN WITH OUR DESIGNERS TO MAKE YOUR DREAM HOME COME TRUE

5 WE OFFER PAYMENT PLANS FOR YOU SO YOU CAN AFFORD

Use one of our contractors and you will receive up to R300 000 in free builders insurance....

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13/08/2019

Tired of hearing "your loan has been declined?" You can renew your credit profile within 24 hours!!!

We have good news for you below is 7 steps to help you get out of debt.

While debt may be the cause of much stress and worry, there are many ways to get out of debt.

Taking control of your debt problems will give you peace of mind. As soon as you begin to tackle your debt you’ll sleep better, breathe easier and feel more relaxed.

Begin organising your finances with our seven steps to getting out of debt.

Step 1: Acknowledge your debts

Even something as simple as visiting this site is a positive start to dealing with your debt. It means you’ve admitted that you are struggling and you’ve started seeking solutions. You have the right attitude, and by taking further steps you can climb out of debt.

Step 2: List your income and expenses

It’s time to take a realistic look at your debt situation. Writing down your incoming money and outgoing expenses is a great way to organise your finances and will help you see exactly where your money is going.

When you start looking at your spending habits, you might be surprised by how much money you spend on small items that you could easily live without.

Write down your income and all your expenses. Make sure you include all expenses, from rent or mortgage payments to phone bills, groceries and little treats (like your morning cappuccino).

Doing this will show you how much money you have left over to tackle your debt after you’ve paid all your living expenses, and will highlight areas where you might be able to cut your spending.

Your written account is called a financial statement, and can be used to show your creditors how you’re managing your debt.

Step 3: Maximise your income

Are you getting all the income you can?

You may be eligible for government entitlements, such as:

Job Seekers Allowance if you are unemployed or have been made redundant.
Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit if you have children or are working on a low income.
Income Support if you are on a low income and meet other criteria.
Incapacity or disablement benefits, including mobility or attendance allowance.
Maintenance – contact the Child Support Agency if you think you may be eligible.
Income tax – make sure you are paying the correct tax. Check with Inland Revenue to see if you are on the right tax code.
Housing benefit and council tax relief – check with your local council.
Check with the Department of Work and Pensions if you’re not sure what you’re entitled to.

Think about other ways you can increase your income. Here are a few ideas:

Consider taking in a lodger if you have a spare room.
Ask working-age children to contribute to the bills or pay board.
Get a second job, working part-time. It may be a good temporary way to increase your income while you are trying to sort out your debts. Make sure you check out the tax situation first.
Increase your salary by working overtime if you can, getting a promotion or going for a new job.
If you claim a new benefit or find another way to boost your income, it might take several weeks before you start to get the money, so exclude it from your calculations for now and then review your situation once you start getting it.

Step 4: Make cutbacks to reduce your expenses

Now comes the hard part. It’s time to look at your spending and work out where you could make savings. You’ll probably find that reducing your expenses is not that hard. A few small changes can cut your expenses significantly. Here are some ideas:

Use a balance transfer card to cut out interest

If your credit score is not too unhealthy, you could consider putting your existing credit card debts onto a 0% interest balance transfer card. This will stop your debts growing as you can avoid being charged interest for a few months, or even a few years.

But be careful to check that you will be better off as you may be charged a fee to transfer your debts.

Save on your transport

A train or public transport season ticket may be cheaper than driving. Even better, can you walk, ride a bike or car share?

Cut back on ‘luxuries’

Take your lunch to work instead of buying food from a nearby cafe or sandwich shop. If you’re a coffee addict, cutting down out a daily coffee could save you around R6000 a year.

Eating lots of fruit and vegetables, and making things from scratch is usually much cheaper than prepared food, and better for you too!

Switch your household utility suppliers

Many people don’t realise they can save money on the essentials, but you can save money on expenses like gas and electricity and your home phone by switching to a cheaper supplier. Check the uSwitch.com calculators to compare prices and switch to cheaper suppliers.

You can probably think of other ways that you can cut your spending. Take a look at your expenses and figure out where you can make savings.

Seven steps to get out of debt

Step 5: Prioritise your debts

Your financial statement will tell you how much money you have left over to pay your debts after you’ve paid for your essential expenses. You now need to work out what to pay to whom. The organisations or people you owe money to are known as creditors.

Start making regular payments to your creditors, even if you can only pay them a small amount. If your creditors see that you are committed to sorting out your debt, they will give you some leeway while you figure out your long term repayment strategy.

Some debts are more important than others. Your priority debts are the ones that will have the most severe penalties if you can’t pay them, for example:

Rent or mortgage payments
Electricity, water and gas bills
Council tax
Magistrates fines
Inland Revenue / VAT payments
Step 6: Contact your creditors

By this stage you should have your financial statement and your list of priority and non-priority debts with the amounts you intend to pay. It’s time to start negotiating with your creditors.

Start by writing a letter to each creditor that says you’re having financial difficulties. Briefly explain the reasons you got into debt and your intentions for getting out of debt. Include your financial statement and your list of debts.

Your creditors will normally respond empathetically and discuss your payments with you.

Tips for negotiating with your creditors:

Don’t offer all your income to one creditor.
Start your negotiations by dealing with the most urgent debt.
Don’t feel pressurised to make payments you can’t afford.
Even if creditors don’t agree to your reduced payment offer, pay it anyway. It will reduce your debt and may persuade them to change their mind.
Get receipts for your payments and confirm any agreements in writing.
Step 7: Work out your long term debt strategy

You need to decide how you are going to get out of debt in the long term. You may benefit from taking out a debt consolidation loan to clear your debts, and then just make one payment towards the loan. The advantages of this are:

Creditors will stop chasing you for payments
You will only have one payment to make each month
The interest rate may be lower than what you are currently paying
There are other steps you can take to reduce the pressure you are feeling:

Talk to the StepChange Debt Charity – formerly the Consumer Credit Counselling Service or any other debt charity for free advice about your options.
Make reduced payments with an Individual Voluntary Arrangement, a formal agreement to pay a reduced amount.
Go to court. If a creditor takes action against you with a County Court Judgment (CCJ), you can resolve the issue in court.
Get a Debt Management Plan. A debt management company can arrange this, usually for a fee, and they will consolidate your debts, negotiate with your creditors and distribute your payments for you.
Declare bankruptcy.
Get an Administration Order. You can apply for a court order that covers your debts. You pay the court and they distribute your money.

To speak to one of our trained professionals leave us your email address and phone number and we will contact you.

09/11/2018

Thinking Of Building a House???

Building your dream home can be one of the most exciting and rewarding projects you can undertake. Getting the opportunity to plan out each step of the process and make the decisions about your building project is a big responsibility, and can be overwhelming for even the most experienced do-it-yourselfers. Taking the scope of the project into account before you get started can help make the process go a lot more smoothly. Learn the proper ways to find the right location, design your home, acquire the correct permits, and breaking ground. See Step 1 to learn how to get started building your own house.

Select a desirable place for your house. There are many factors to consider when finding a suitable location on which to build your home.
Think about a place you'd like to live long-term and keep in mind things like
Climate. Special considerations must be made for building in flood, hurricane, intense heat, frigid cold, and other extreme weather and climatic conditions.
Ground stability. Houses built on shifting sand, mucky soil, or other unstable earth will likely fail over a short period of time unless they are built on special foundations or pilings.
Availability of utilities. If you intend to have electric power, potable water, telephone, and other conveniences, make sure these utility providers offer them at your location.
Community infrastructure. If you plan to raise children or have kids, make sure good quality schools are available. Check to see if you are in a police jurisdiction to protect you from crime, look at the distance you will have to travel to acquire basic commodities, and whether medical help is nearby.

Comment with your email and number to receive a quote.

09/11/2018

Exif_JPEG_420

Thinking of Building a House???

Building your dream home can be one of the most exciting and rewarding projects you can undertake. Getting the opportunity to plan out each step of the process and make the decisions about your building project is a big responsibility, and can be overwhelming for even the most experienced do-it-yourselfers. Taking the scope of the project into account before you get started can help make the process go a lot more smoothly. Learn the proper ways to find the right location, design your home, acquire the correct permits, and breaking ground. See Step 1 to learn how to get started building your own house.

Select a desirable place for your house. There are many factors to consider when finding a suitable location on which to build your home.
Think about a place you'd like to live long-term and keep in mind things like
Climate. Special considerations must be made for building in flood, hurricane, intense heat, frigid cold, and other extreme weather and climatic conditions.
Ground stability. Houses built on shifting sand, mucky soil, or other unstable earth will likely fail over a short period of time unless they are built on special foundations or pilings.
Availability of utilities. If you intend to have electric power, potable water, telephone, and other conveniences, make sure these utility providers offer them at your location.
Community infrastructure. If you plan to raise children or have kids, make sure good quality schools are available. Check to see if you are in a police jurisdiction to protect you from crime, look at the distance you will have to travel to acquire basic commodities, and whether medical help is nearby.

Comment with your email and number to receive a quote.