South Africa
South Africa Trades Software & Services Directory
Independent reviews of 25 South Africa-relevant listings: job management software (including South African options such as ServCraft, and global products with rand prices on their South African sites), lead generation platforms, payroll and business insurance, plus the registration and compliance regimes South African trades work under: certificates of compliance, cidb grading, NHBRC registration, SARS returns such as the EMP201, and the COIDA Letter of Good Standing.
Deciding between two options?
See SA vendors compared side by side: pros and cons, SA-specific notes, pricing, and which of the two publishes its prices.
What's different about running a trades business in South Africa
Three things shape vendor selection for SA trades businesses. First, certificates are tied to registration: only a registered person under the Electrical Installation Regulations may issue an electrical Certificate of Compliance, and a change of ownership may not be allowed if the CoC is more than two years old; a gas installation needs a certificate of conformity from an authorised person registered with SAQCC Gas, issued in its app since paper certificates stopped being valid on 1 April 2023; and under PIRB's rules only a PIRB Licensed Plumber may issue a plumbing CoC, which is needed for most work above R1,500 and, regardless of cost, for electric, solar and heat pump water heating, with each CoC logged within five days. Job software that records each certificate number against the job helps with all three. Second, registrations gate the work: contractors must be cidb-registered to carry out public sector contracts awarded by tender or quotation, and each grade (1-9) sets the contract value you can take on, from R500,000 at Grade 1 to no limit at Grade 9; the NHBRC says building homes without registering with it is an offence; and under the Construction Regulations, 2014, clients and principal contractors must confirm that contractors are registered and in good standing for COIDA (with the Compensation Fund or a licensed compensation insurer) before work starts. Third, SARS sets the calendar: 15% VAT, with compulsory registration from R2.3 million of taxable supplies a year from 1 April 2026; the monthly EMP201, paid within seven days after month-end; interim and annual EMP501 reconciliations; and e-invoicing, which is not mandatory yet (SARS's August 2026 consultation paper proposes a phased start from 2030, beginning with large taxpayers).
Job management & trades software
Vendors with offices in South Africa and published rand prices (ServCraft in Randburg, Field Service Cloud in Pretoria, Odyssey Job Cards in Bloemfontein); Tradify and ServiceM8, which list rand prices on their South African sites; Eworks Manager, with a Gqeberha office, an offline mobile app and prices shown in GBP by default; and OpenSolar, solar design and proposal software that OpenSolar says is free for solar professionals.
ServCraft
Tier S · Published pricesSouth African job management software for trade businesses, from R349 per user a month excluding VAT
ServCraft is job management software from ServCraft Africa (Pty) Ltd, a South African company based in Randburg, Gauteng. It covers quotes with digital sign-off, job cards, custom forms, invoices, purchase orders, inventory and a customer portal, with an offline mobile app and sync to Sage, Xero and QuickBooks. ServCraft has industry pages for security, plumbing, solar, electrical and HVAC businesses, and says more than 1,000 local trade businesses use it.
SA-specific note
Priced in rand excluding VAT, with terms under South African law. Support is by phone (+27 10 500 3305), email and in-app chat, Monday to Friday 8:30am-5pm. Its solar page covers multi-stage installations, equipment and materials, compliance sign-off and tracking of installed systems.
Pros
- + Published rand pricing: R349 per user a month excluding VAT, up to 20 users
- + Offline mobile app, inventory and purchase orders included in the Standard plan
- + Syncs with Sage, Xero and QuickBooks
- + South African company with local phone support and a 14-day free trial
Cons
- − Teams over 20 users need a custom Enterprise quote
- − Extra branches cost R999 each a month; extra storage, bulk email and SMS are charged on top
- − Fees paid in advance are not refundable after the 7-day cancellation window
- − Support hours are weekdays only
Tradify (ZA)
Tier S · Published pricesJob management software for trade businesses, founded in NZ and owned by the UK's Access Group, from R480 per user a month
Tradify is job management software for trade businesses, founded in New Zealand and bought by the UK's Access Group under a deal announced in October 2024. It covers enquiries, quoting, scheduling, job tracking, timesheets, invoicing and online card payments, and syncs with Xero and QuickBooks Online. Its South African site lists rand prices per user per month, and Tradify says tens of thousands of contractors and tradespeople use it.
SA-specific note
Tradify runs a South African page with rand prices, but the pricing page does not say whether they include VAT, and the site lists no South African office or local number (the footer shows the North American number 1-844-484-6210). Accounting sync covers Xero and QuickBooks Online; Sage is not listed.
Pros
- + Published rand prices per user a month, from R480
- + 14-day free trial with all features and no credit card
- + Free one-on-one training and phone support
- + Syncs with Xero and QuickBooks Online, with Stripe for card payments
Cons
- − Per-user pricing adds up as the team grows
- − Timesheets, job photos and progress invoicing need Pro; purchase orders and reporting need Plus
- − No South African office or local phone number listed
- − Pricing page does not state whether prices include VAT
ServiceM8 (ZA)
Tier S · Published pricesAustralian job management app for trade and service businesses, priced in rand by jobs per month with unlimited users
ServiceM8 is job management software from ServiceM8 Pty Ltd, an Australian company, built around its iPhone and iPad app, with ServiceM8 Lite for Android field staff. Its South African site lists rand prices per business by jobs per month, from a free one-user plan to R3,695, and every paid plan includes unlimited users. ServiceM8 says it won Xero's Global Innovation App of the Year award.
SA-specific note
ServiceM8 runs a South African site with rand prices and offers setup and training through local partners; its terms are with the Australian company under Australian law. The ZA pricing page does not say whether prices include VAT. The site shows Xero Preferred App and QuickBooks badges.
Pros
- + Published rand prices, from a free plan up to R3,695 a month
- + Unlimited users on every paid plan
- + No lock-ins and a 14-day free trial
- + Electronic forms, asset management and proposals from the Growing plan
Cons
- − Optimised for iPhone and iPad; Android field staff get ServiceM8 Lite
- − Price rises with monthly job volume, and the Free plan is limited to 1 user and 30 jobs
- − SMS beyond the plan allowance cost R1 each
- − Terms are under Australian law, and the pricing page does not state VAT treatment
Eworks Manager
Tier S · Published pricesJob card and field service software with an offline mobile app, part of the ClearCourse group, with a Gqeberha office
Eworks Manager is field service management software sold in South Africa by Eworks Manager (Pty) Ltd, which lists an office in Mill Park, Gqeberha, alongside UK, US and Australian sites. It covers job cards and digital job sheets, quotes, invoices, route planning, technician tracking, CRM, and asset and inventory management, with a mobile app that works offline. The site footer says it is part of ClearCourse, a software group reported to have bought it in December 2021.
SA-specific note
Eworks Manager has a South African office at 166 Cape Rd, Mill Park, Gqeberha, and a +27 41 004 0045 number, and its SA contract terms are governed by South African law. The ZA pricing page shows GBP by default with a rand toggle, and the contract says fees are payable in pounds sterling unless the order names another currency. The offline app stores data and sends it to the office when signal returns.
Pros
- + South African office in Gqeberha with a +27 phone line
- + Mobile app works offline and sends data to the office when back in signal
- + Priced per team rather than per user, with no fixed-term contract
- + 14-day free trial with no card details
Cons
- − Prices display in GBP by default, and fees are payable in sterling unless the order says otherwise
- − Cancellation needs three calendar months' notice
- − Prices exclude VAT
Field Service Cloud
Tier S · Published pricesPretoria-based job card and field service software, R213.90 per field worker a month excluding VAT
Field Service Cloud is cloud field service management software with an office in Pretoria, and says it was born from the construction industry for the construction industry. It covers job cards and scheduling, on-site sign-off on mobile, quotations and invoicing, client management, GPS tracking of field technicians and fastest-route suggestions via Google Maps. It lists plumbing, electrical, construction and paint and decor businesses among the industries it serves.
SA-specific note
Field Service Cloud lists an office at Building D, 375 Oberon Ave, Faerie Glen, Pretoria, with support on 012 004 0233, Monday to Friday 08:00-16:30. Prices are in rand excluding VAT, and only field service members are charged; office, admin and finance users are free.
Pros
- + Published rand price: R213.90 per field worker a month excluding VAT
- + Office managers, administrators and finance users are free
- + 60-day free trial with free company profile setup
- + GPS tracking of technicians and route suggestions via Google Maps
Cons
- − Importing data from a legacy system costs R15,000 once-off
- − Prices exclude VAT
- − Contract and cancellation terms are not published on the pricing page
- − Support hours are weekdays only
Odyssey Job Cards
Tier S · Published pricesBloemfontein job card software with quotes, invoices and an Android app, from R483 a month for six users
Odyssey Job Cards is job card software from Odyssey Software, which lists an office at 135 Raymond Mhlaba Street, Bloemfontein. It covers job cards, quotations, invoicing, automated scheduling and deadline notifications, and an Android app for field teams with site photos, parts and customer authorisation. It is sold as two flat monthly packages that include all features and differ only in user seats.
SA-specific note
Odyssey Software lists a Bloemfontein office and the number 051 433 1520, open Monday to Friday 8:00am-5:00pm. Prices are in rand; the site does not say whether they include VAT.
Pros
- + Flat monthly packages rather than per-user pricing: R483 for 1 admin and 5 technicians
- + All features included in both packages
- + Android app with site photos, parts and customer authorisation
- + Bloemfontein office and local phone line
Cons
- − Field app is confirmed for Android only; iOS is not mentioned
- − No accounting integrations are listed
- − VAT treatment and trial length are not stated
- − No listed package beyond 3 admins and 20 technicians
OpenSolar
Tier S · Published pricesFree solar design, proposal and CRM software for solar installers, from Australia's OpenSolar
OpenSolar is solar design and sales software from OpenSolar Pty Ltd of New South Wales, Australia, founded in 2017 by Adam Pryor and Andrew Birch. It covers automatic system design, mounting design, single-line diagrams, proposals with e-signature, integrated finance, a hardware shop and project management CRM. OpenSolar says it is free for solar professionals because manufacturers, finance companies and distributors pay to be on the platform, and that more than 28,000 professionals use it.
SA-specific note
OpenSolar is a global web platform that says it is used in more than 185 countries, but none of the pages read mention South Africa, and it lists no South African office or local support. It handles solar design and sales only, so a trades business would still need separate job management software.
Pros
- + Free for solar professionals; OpenSolar says partners fund the platform
- + Automatic design, mounting design and single-line diagrams
- + Proposals with e-signature and integrated finance options
- + Project management CRM and hardware shop in the same platform
Cons
- − Solar-specific, not general trades job management
- − Funded by manufacturers, finance companies and distributors that pay to be on the platform
- − No South African office or SA-specific pages found
- − Aerial imagery is paid per image through a prepaid wallet, with no public prices
Lead generation
Kandua, a home services marketplace owned by insurer Santam, where pros choose which job requests to quote on (fees for pros not published); ProCompare, which charges per lead from a published price list and sends each request to up to six pros; and Snupit, with a free pro profile and credits spent to unlock the leads you choose (credit prices not published).
Kandua
Tier A · ListedSantam-owned South African home services marketplace that sends vetted pros job requests to quote on
Kandua is a South African home services marketplace run by Plus Eco System Ventures (Pty) Ltd of Green Point, Cape Town, founded in 2014 and bought by insurer Santam in a deal reported in May 2024. Homeowners post jobs for plumbers, electricians, handymen, painters, tilers and other trades, and pros choose which requests to quote on and send quotes and invoices through the platform. Kandua says more than 40,000 pros have used it and that it has created over R50 million in work opportunities.
SA-specific note
Kandua is a South African company that lists service areas around Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria. It says every pro is background-checked and has qualifications verified, and its terms say it may charge pros commission or fees as agreed, without publishing amounts. Card payments run through Kandua as merchant of record via Peach Payments and FNB Merchant Services.
Pros
- + Owned by insurer Santam since a purchase reported in May 2024
- + Pros choose which job requests to quote on, and when and where they work
- + Kandua says every pro is background-checked and has qualifications verified
- + Quotes, invoices and card payments handled on the platform
Cons
- − Fees for pros are not published; the terms allow commission or fees as agreed
- − Vetting has to be completed after sign-up before taking work
- − Listed service areas centre on Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria
- − Disputes under the terms go to arbitration rather than court
ProCompare
Tier S · Published pricesSouth African pay-per-lead quote platform that sends each request to up to six pros, with a published lead price list
ProCompare is a South African quote-comparison platform run by Procompare (Pty) Ltd of Kloof Street, Cape Town. Customers submit one request, which is checked and forwarded to up to six matching professionals nearby (two to three on average, ProCompare says), who contact the customer with offers. Professionals pay per lead from a monthly budget they choose, at prices set by job type in a published price list covering more than 50 categories, from plumbing and electrical to solar, roofing and building.
SA-specific note
Lead prices are in rand excluding 15% VAT, from a price list valid from 15 September 2026; an electrical certificate of compliance lead costs R50.74 and a solar installation lead R228.92. Unused budget carries over to the next month, and ProCompare says an account using less than 30% of its credit in a month is not debited the following month. Invalid leads can be credited after an approved complaint.
Pros
- + Published per-lead prices by job type, in rand excluding VAT
- + Each request goes to at most six pros (two to three on average, ProCompare says)
- + Monthly lead budget set by the pro, with unused balance carried over
- + Subscription can be cancelled on the website without penalty
Cons
- − You pay for each lead whether or not you win the job
- − Prices exclude 15% VAT and can change on 8 days' email notice
- − Payments are non-refundable under the terms; invalid leads get account credit, not cash
- − Lead prices rise with job type and size, up to R320.96 for larger building leads
Snupit
Tier A · ListedSouth African quote-request marketplace where pros buy credits for the leads they choose
Snupit (Snupit Pty Ltd) is a South African marketplace where customers post a service request and receive up to 5 quotes from local professionals. Snupit says over 2 million people a month use the site and over 350,000 businesses are listed on it. A pro profile and lead notifications are free; pros spend credits to unlock a customer's name, email and phone number for the leads they want.
SA-specific note
Snupit asks pros to verify their profile by uploading an ID document and proof of address. Under its terms, a refund for a bad lead must be requested within 14 days of buying it and is credited to the pro's Snupit balance.
Pros
- + Free pro profile and free lead notifications
- + Pay only for the leads you choose, with credits
- + Disputed leads (wrong location or contact details) can be refunded
- + Android and iOS apps
Cons
- − Credit prices are not published on the public site
- − Each request can go to up to 5 pros, so you compete on every lead
- − Refunds go back to your Snupit balance, not to your bank account
- − Disputes must be raised within 14 days of buying the lead
Payroll
SimplePay generates the EMP201 for submission on eFiling, submits UIF declarations and exports the bi-annual tax certificate file for eFiling or e@syFile; PaySpace by Deel, now sold as Deel Local Payroll, handles PAYE, UIF, SDL and COIDA and produces IRP5, EMP201, EMP501 and employment-equity reports (no public prices); Sage Payroll (SA) publishes a starting price of R1,164 a year (R97 a month) including VAT for 1-2 employees.
SimplePay
Tier A · ListedSouth African cloud payroll priced per active employee, with leave and self-service included
SimplePay is South African cloud payroll software; its terms name Orange Thunder Technologies Proprietary Limited, trading as SimplePay, in Roodepoort, Gauteng. It calculates PAYE, UIF and SDL, generates the EMP201 for submission on eFiling, submits UIF declarations to the Department of Labour and exports the bi-annual tax certificate file for eFiling or e@syFile. One plan includes leave management, an employee self-service app and sync with Xero and QuickBooks.
SA-specific note
SARS requires PAYE declared on the EMP201 to be paid within seven days after the end of the month, and the interim EMP501 reconciliation runs from 21 September to 31 October. SimplePay generates the EMP201, the bi-annual tax certificate export and the Return of Earnings report for the Compensation Fund (COIDA).
Pros
- + One plan with every feature; SimplePay says there are no extra fees for features
- + Generates the EMP201, UIF declarations and bi-annual tax certificate exports
- + Leave management and employee self-service app included
- + Syncs with Xero and QuickBooks
Cons
- − Prices appear only through the calculator on the pricing page
- − The EMP201 is generated for you but still submitted on SARS eFiling
- − Businesses with more than 500 employees must contact SimplePay
- − Terms allow fee increases on one month's written notice
Deel Local Payroll (formerly PaySpace)
Tier A · ListedSouth African-built payroll, now sold as Deel Local Payroll after Deel bought PaySpace
PaySpace was founded in South Africa in 2001; Deel announced it was acquiring the company in March 2024 and now sells the product as Deel Local Payroll. The South African edition automates PAYE, UIF, SDL and COIDA and produces IRP5, EMP201, EMP501 and EEA2 and EEA4 employment-equity reports. It comes in Lite (1-50 employees), Premier (51-500) and Master (enterprise) editions plus a fully managed outsourcing service, and Deel says it has more than 20,000 customers.
SA-specific note
SARS's interim EMP501 reconciliation for 2026 runs from 21 September to 31 October. Deel Local Payroll offers three ways through it: sessions with its payroll specialists, an eLearning course on PaySpace University, or a do-it-yourself guide.
Pros
- + PAYE, UIF, SDL and COIDA handled in one system
- + Produces IRP5, EMP201, EMP501 and EEA2 and EEA4 reports
- + Editions from 1-50 employees up to enterprise, plus managed payroll
- + EMP501 support: assisted sessions, an eLearning course or a DIY guide
Cons
- − No public prices; pricing depends on edition and employee count
- − Pricing needs a conversation with Deel's sales team
- − The site mixes the PaySpace and Deel Local Payroll names during the rebrand
Sage Payroll (SA)
Tier S · Published pricesSage's cloud payroll for South African small businesses, priced by employee band from R1,164 a year (R97 a month) including VAT
Sage sells cloud payroll in South Africa alongside its accounting software. Its pricing page sells Sage Payroll in employee bands from 1-2 up to 200+ employees, with every feature in every package and a free trial, and Sage also offers Sage Payroll Advanced, Sage Payroll Professional and Sage 300 People for larger payrolls. Sage sold its South African payroll outsourcing business to ADP in January 2024, according to ITWeb.
SA-specific note
Sage's South African knowledge base publishes payroll tax pocket guides for each tax year, most recently 2026-2027. Check the current price and VAT basis on Sage's South African pricing page before signing up.
Pros
- + Published starting price of R1,164 a year (R97 a month) including VAT (1-2 employees)
- + Same vendor as Sage's South African accounting software
- + Upgrade path within Sage as headcount grows
Cons
- − The price rises through employee bands as the payroll grows
- − Several overlapping Sage payroll products to choose between
- − No managed payroll service from Sage in South Africa since the outsourcing business went to ADP
Business insurance
All quoted per business, with no published premiums: Santam (Contractors' All Risks, plant and equipment cover and defective workmanship liability, mainly through intermediaries); MiWay and Old Mutual iWYZE, sold direct (iWYZE names plumbers among the businesses it targets); and King Price and Hollard, sold through brokers, with contractors' all risks (King Price) and construction and engineering cover (Hollard).
Santam
Tier A · ListedSouth African insurer with Contractors' All Risks, plant and liability cover, mainly through intermediaries
Santam is a South African short-term insurer (authorised FSP 3416) that bought the Kandua home-services marketplace in May 2024. Its construction and engineering unit offers Contractors' All Risks (which now includes erection all risks), contractors' plant and equipment cover and advance loss of profits. Its business liability range includes broadform general liability, products and defective workmanship liability and employers' liability, arranged through intermediaries or by phone.
SA-specific note
Santam bought Kandua, the South African home-services marketplace also listed in this directory, in May 2024. Its Contractors' All Risks policy covers the works under construction and includes public liability, according to Santam's construction and engineering page.
Pros
- + Contractors' All Risks for residential, commercial, industrial and infrastructure projects
- + Plant and equipment cover for mobile plant used across several sites
- + Liability range includes defective workmanship and employers' liability
- + SmartSME small business quotes can be started online
Cons
- − No published premiums; every cover is quoted
- − Construction and liability covers are arranged mainly through intermediaries
- − The SmartSME page does not mention trades or tools cover
MiWay Business
Tier A · ListedDirect insurer quoting SME business cover online or by phone, including all-risk and broadform liability
MiWay Insurance Limited is a South African non-life insurer and authorised FSP (33970) that sells through its own full-time sales advisers. Its business insurance covers property, business interruption, vehicles, all-risk items taken away from the business address (with worldwide cover) and broadform liability that lists public, product, employers' and defective workmanship liability. MiWay publishes no standard price and quotes each business online or by phone.
SA-specific note
MiWay's broadform liability extends to premises other than the business address while you are doing work-related activities. Claims can be lodged by phone, online or in the MiWay app within 30 days of the event, according to its FAIS disclosure notice.
Pros
- + Quote online, by call-back or on 0860 64 64 64
- + All-risk cover for items taken away from the business address, with worldwide cover
- + Broadform liability includes defective workmanship and employers' liability
- + Business pages cater for home-based and one-person businesses
Cons
- − No standard prices; every business is quoted
- − No trade-specific product for tradespeople on the business pages
- − Sold by MiWay's own advisers, so no independent broker compares insurers for you
- − Liability limits are not published on the website
Old Mutual iWYZE Business
Tier A · ListedDirect insurance brand underwritten by Old Mutual Insure, with SME business cover of up to R30 million
iWYZE is a direct insurance brand underwritten by Old Mutual Insure Limited, and its site pitches business insurance at sole proprietors and established businesses 'like plumbers, caterers and any other self-ran businesses'. The business policy covers vehicles, buildings and office contents, with optional business all risks, public liability, employer's liability, business interruption, goods in transit and electronic equipment, up to R30 million in cover. Quotes start online and are completed with an iWYZE consultant.
SA-specific note
SASRIA cover can be added to the iWYZE business policy, and iWYZE sells legal cover as a separate product. Its emergency line is 0860 93 94 93.
Pros
- + Names plumbers among the businesses it targets
- + Up to R30 million in cover
- + Optional public liability, employer's liability and business all risks
- + 24/7 office and roadside emergency assistance
Cons
- − No published premiums; every business is quoted
- − Liability and all-risks cover are add-ons, not standard
- − Sold direct, so no broker compares insurers for you
King Price Business
Tier A · ListedBroker-only commercial insurance, including contractors' all risks and plant all risks
King Price Insurance Company Ltd (FSP 43862) sells commercial insurance for small and medium-sized businesses only through qualified brokers. Its business range includes business all risks, office contents, motor, goods in transit and public and employers' liability. Its engineering range adds contractors' all risks, plant all risks, machinery breakdown and electronic equipment cover.
SA-specific note
King Price says it works only through brokers who are qualified to advise on your risks, so a trades business needs a broker for a commercial quote. The site offers a broker finder and a call-back request.
Pros
- + Contractors' all risks and plant all risks in its engineering range
- + Public and employers' liability available
- + Business all risks, goods in transit and theft cover among the options
- + A qualified broker advises on your cover
Cons
- − Sold only through brokers; no direct online purchase
- − No published premiums
- − The website does not detail all-risks or liability limits
Hollard
Tier A · ListedBroker-sold business insurance, including construction and engineering cover
Hollard is a privately owned South African insurance group. Its business pages cover liability insurance, commercial insurance and specialist-sector products, including construction and engineering insurance and trade and construction guarantees. Hollard says it works through brokers and advisers, and its business pages send buyers to a broker finder rather than an online quote.
SA-specific note
Hollard's construction and engineering page and its trade and construction guarantees page list named Hollard contacts, but cover is arranged through a broker or adviser. Contractors can ask their broker to include Hollard when quoting project cover or guarantees.
Pros
- + Liability and commercial insurance for businesses from startups to large firms
- + Specialist construction and engineering cover
- + Trade and construction guarantees handled by a dedicated Hollard team
- + Broker and adviser finder on Hollard's site
Cons
- − Sold through brokers and advisers: no online quote on the business pages
- − No prices published
- − Product pages give little detail on what each policy covers
- − Cover details and wording come from your broker, not from the website
Licensing & compliance
Registration and compliance regimes: DoEL electrical contractor registration (only registered persons may issue the electrical CoC), SAQCC Gas registration of authorised gas practitioners, PIRB plumber registration and plumbing CoCs, cidb grading (registration needed for public sector contracts awarded by tender or quotation), NHBRC registration for home builders, SARS (VAT, EMP201 and EMP501), and COIDA registration and the Letter of Good Standing.
PIRB (Plumbing Industry Registration Board)
Official body / regimeSAQA-recognised plumber registration and the PIRB Certificate of Compliance
PIRB says it is recognised by SAQA as the professional body for plumbers in South Africa. It registers plumbers at several levels, from Learner Plumber to Master Plumber, and only PIRB Licensed Plumbers can issue the PIRB plumbing Certificate of Compliance (CoC). Under PIRB's rules a CoC is needed for most plumbing work above R1,500 and, regardless of cost, for electric, solar and heat pump water heating and sanitary drain work.
SA-specific note
PIRB is moving from paper to digital CoCs (announced October 2025, no end date given), and each CoC must be logged within five days of issue. Plumbing firms benefit from job software that records the CoC number against each job and flags unlogged certificates.
What it covers
- + Licensed Plumbers can issue PIRB CoCs that customers can verify online
- + Clear designation ladder from Learner Plumber to Master Plumber
- + Learner Plumber registration is free (R0.00)
- + Digital CoCs cost less than paper (R226.00 vs R282.00 incl VAT)
Watch out for
- − Annual renewal plus CPD points needed to keep a designation (25 points per cycle for Licensed Plumbers)
- − Each CoC is paid for and must be logged within five days
- − PIRB physically audits 5% of plumbers' work
- − Qualified Plumbers cannot issue CoCs; that needs the Licensed Plumber designation
Dept of Employment & Labour (Electrical)
Official body / regimeStatutory registration for electrical contractors and the electricians who sign Certificates of Compliance
The Department of Employment and Labour's chief inspector administers the Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009, made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993. Regulation 6 says no one may do electrical installation work as an electrical contractor without registering, and a registered contractor must employ a registered person full time or be one. Only registered persons (electrical tester for single phase, installation electrician or master installation electrician) may issue the electrical Certificate of Compliance (CoC).
SA-specific note
Under regulation 7, a user or lessor may not allow a change of ownership if the electrical CoC is older than two years, and any addition or alteration needs a CoC for at least the new work. No one may amend a CoC once issued, so electrical firms benefit from job software that stores each CoC number and test report against the job.
What it covers
- + Low statutory fees: R120 per year of contractor registration
- + Three registered-person categories set what each electrician may certify
- + Registrations are entered in a national database
- + The regulations spell out when a CoC is needed
Watch out for
- − Working as an unregistered electrical contractor is an offence (fine or up to 12 months' imprisonment)
- − Contractor registration must be renewed (a maximum of three years at a time)
- − A registered person must inspect and test before issuing any CoC
- − Applications use paper forms sent to provincial labour offices
SAQCC Gas
Official body / regimeRegistration of gas practitioners under the Pressure Equipment Regulations
SAQCC Gas is a non-profit company formed by four gas industry associations and, it says, appointed by the Department of Employment and Labour to register gas practitioners in natural gas, LPG, refrigeration and air conditioning gas, and industrial and medical gases. Under regulation 17 of the Pressure Equipment Regulations, 2009, no person may install or remove a gas appliance, gas system or gas reticulation system unless registered as an authorised person for that scope of work. An authorised person must issue a certificate of conformity after an installation, alteration or change of user or ownership.
SA-specific note
Since 1 April 2023 SAQCC Gas treats paper certificates of conformity as invalid, and certificates are issued in its app. Regulation 17 also requires an external inspection and leak test before a new gas system is commissioned, so gas installers should record the test and certificate number against each job.
What it covers
- + Public register that customers can check on the SAQCC Gas website
- + Digital certificates of conformity issued through the SAQCC Gas app
- + Practitioners carry a digital registration card that can be shown on site
- + Covers four gas sectors, from LPG to industrial and medical gases
Watch out for
- − Installing or removing gas appliances without registration is an offence (fine or up to 12 months' imprisonment)
- − Registration only covers the scope of work you are registered for
- − Paper certificates have not been valid since 1 April 2023
- − Fees are not published on the SAQCC Gas website
CIDB (Construction Industry Development Board)
Official body / regimeContractor grading 1-9 and the register needed for public sector work
The cidb is a public entity set up under the Construction Industry Development Board Act, 2000, and keeps the national Register of Contractors. Section 18 of the Act bars contractors from carrying out public sector contracts awarded by tender or quotation unless registered with the cidb, and doing so unregistered is an offence with a fine of up to 10% of the contract value. Each grade sets a maximum contract value, from R500,000 for Grade 1 to no limit for Grade 9.
SA-specific note
Upgrading needs evidence: cidb's grading tests use the best annual turnover of the two preceding years and available capital (from R1,000,000 and R100,000 for Grade 3) and the value of projects completed in the last five years in that class of works (from R130,000 for Grade 2). Keeping job values and annual accounts easy to pull out makes each upgrade application simpler.
What it covers
- + Registration opens public sector tenders up to your grade's limit
- + Public online register that clients can search
- + Published grading tests show what each upgrade needs
- + Online eRoC system for new registrations and renewals
Watch out for
- − Your grade caps the contract value you can take on in public work
- − Higher grades need proven turnover, available capital and a track record
- − Registration lapses after three years, and Grades 2-9 need annual updates
- − A valid tax clearance is required with the application
NHBRC (Home Builders Registration Council)
Official body / regimeCompulsory home builder registration and new-home enrolment
The NHBRC says anyone in the business of building homes must by law be registered with it, under the Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act, 1998, and that doing so unregistered is an offence carrying a fine or up to one year's imprisonment. New homes must be enrolled with the NHBRC 15 days before construction starts, which lets it inspect at stages of the build. The Housing Consumer Protection Act 25 of 2024 will repeal the 1998 Act, but gov.za lists its commencement as still to be proclaimed.
SA-specific note
If you build homes, register with the NHBRC before trading and enrol every new home at least 15 days before work starts; build that lead time into each project plan. Watch for the commencement of the Housing Consumer Protection Act 25 of 2024, which will replace the 1998 Act.
What it covers
- + Registration puts you on the NHBRC home builder register that the law requires
- + Enrolment brings NHBRC inspections at stages of construction
- + Home owners get warranty periods of 3 months, 1 year for roof leaks and 5 years for major structural defects
- + Published registration fees and an online services portal
Watch out for
- − Building homes unregistered is an offence (fine or up to one year's imprisonment)
- − Each new home must be enrolled 15 days before construction
- − Technical test must be passed within two attempts, within 30 days of paying
- − Enrolment fee rates are not published on the NHBRC website
SARS (VAT, PAYE & eFiling)
Official body / regime15% VAT, monthly EMP201 payroll returns, and e-invoicing under consultation
SARS administers VAT at the standard rate of 15% and employer taxes. SARS says the compulsory VAT registration threshold rose from R1 million to R2.3 million of taxable supplies a year from 1 April 2026, as announced in the 2026 Budget and administered ahead of formal legislation. Employers declare PAYE, UIF and SDL monthly on the EMP201 and pay within seven days after month-end. E-invoicing is not mandatory yet: SARS's August 2026 VAT Modernisation Consultation Paper proposes phased implementation from 2030, starting with large taxpayers.
SA-specific note
Payroll software should produce the monthly EMP201 and the interim (September-October) and annual (April-May) EMP501 reconciliations. For invoicing, SARS's August 2026 consultation paper gives standards such as Peppol PINT BIS and EN16931 as examples; comments close on 16 October 2026, and mandatory e-invoicing is proposed from 2030, phased by segment.
What it covers
- + Compulsory VAT registration now starts at R2.3 million of taxable supplies a year
- + Voluntary VAT registration possible from R120,000 of taxable supplies
- + One monthly EMP201 covers PAYE, UIF and SDL
- + e@syFile Employer and eFiling for payroll submissions
Watch out for
- − EMP201 payment is due within seven days after month-end (earlier if that day is a weekend or public holiday)
- − Interim and annual EMP501 reconciliations every tax year
- − Late EMP501 submissions cost 1% of annual PAYE per month, up to 10%
- − cidb and NHBRC registration both require a valid SARS tax clearance
COIDA / Compensation Fund
Official body / regimeWorkers' compensation registration and the Letter of Good Standing construction sites require
The Compensation Fund, run by the Department of Employment and Labour under COIDA, says an employer must register within 7 days after appointing an employee and submit a Return of Earnings every year, which raises the annual assessment. It issues a Letter of Good Standing to employers who have paid all fees due. Under the Construction Regulations, 2014, a client must ensure every principal contractor is registered and in good standing with the Fund or a licensed compensation insurer before work starts, and the principal contractor must check the same for every contractor.
SA-specific note
Clients and principal contractors must confirm good standing before work starts, so a firm without a current Letter of Good Standing can be kept off site. Diarise the annual Return of Earnings (from 1 April to 31 May) and payment of the assessment, and track each subcontractor's letter as well as your own.
What it covers
- + Covers employees for injuries and diseases at work
- + Letter of Good Standing is the proof clients ask for before site work
- + Registration and Return of Earnings can be done online
- + Instalment plans available for assessments
Watch out for
- − Registration is due within 7 days of hiring your first employee
- − Late Returns of Earnings attract interest and penalties
- − Unpaid fees mean no Letter of Good Standing, which can keep you off site
- − Declared earnings more than 30% below prior years are sent for audit
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