Additions

Adding onto a house is a structural alteration, so it needs approved plans under the National Building Regulations (Act 103 of 1977).

Building a second storey depends on whether the existing foundations and walls can carry it — an engineer confirms this before design work starts.

Older face brick is often out of production, so matching an addition usually means sourcing a close equivalent or rendering both.

A new opening in a load-bearing wall needs a correctly sized lintel with proper bearing at each end.