Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is included in a set of house plans?

Each set of plans that we issue will provide you with the necessary information to do alterations or build a new home. Plan sets issues in a standard necessary for local council submission to any South African local authority.

The following is included within each set of plans that we issue:
• Exterior Elevations: Shows all the elevations of the house including exterior materials and measurements as necessary.
• Detailed Floor Plans: Shows the placement of walls and the dimensions for rooms, doors, windows, sanitary fittings, pipe work etc.
• Electrical Schematic: Shows the location of outlets, fixtures and switches. It may be shown as a separate sheet or be included on the floor plan. (Additional cost for this service)
• Cross Sections: Shows details of the house as if it were sliced from the roof to the foundation. The cross sections detail the construction of the home, insulation, flooring and roofing.
• Roof Layout: Shows the pitch and layout of the roof. (Only on complex designs where this will be required).
General Specifications: Provides instructions and information about any combinations of the following: structural specifications, masonry and concrete work, carpentry and wood specifications, thermal and moisture protection, and other specifications as deemed necessary for local authority submission.

2. How do I make changes to a plan?

If you want to change the plan you have 2 options:

You can submit a modification request to us. We will be able to determine if the changes can be done and will then be completed within the quoted amount of business days. Please note that we must get all requests in writing to eliminate any confusion as to what is actually desired.

If you have already submitted a building plan and there are changes to the building work, you can also submit an as built plan, which is a deviated plan to the originally submitted building plan. This is at a minimum fee submission cost at council provided it is still under the original size of the building.

3. How is the building area calculated?

Generally, square metre calculations are made from outside the exterior frame wall and do not include areas which are not roofed. Other undercover areas will be shown separately. This is generally true but you can always contact us to verify exactly how a particular plan’s square meter area was calculated.

4. Can I get plans with an architectural or engineering certification in my local area?

All our plans are certified by a SACAP (South African council for the Architecture profession).

An engineering certificate will need to accompany the plans when submitted to council (if necessary in your area) and will be for your own account.

5. Do the plans provide information necessary for plumbing and electrical systems?

All our plans are designed to meet national building standards and will show a standard plumbing layout but will sometimes need to be modified to suit your specific site as the site might have significant slope and to have the plumbing connected to the site provided sewer connection.

A schematic electrical & lighting layout can also be provided, at additional cost, should it be required and can be customized to suit your personal needs. Electrical installations in your new home is something you would discuss with your local builder or local subcontractors as the building process commences.

6. How many sets of house plans do I need?

The number of sets you will need can vary depending on you and your builder’s specific needs. Besides a set for yourself, you may need to turn a set in to your builder, subcontractors, mortgage lender, and local building departments. (For local council submission anything from 1 to 5 sets could be required depending on your area.

Gravity Plans will be provide you with 2 sets of hard copy plans, a 3rd set will be submitted to council and you will also receive an electronic set in Acrobat reader (free viewer) - which can be used to reproduced further hard copies should your require more.

7. What if I need special foundations?

Typically, the appointed engineer will specify the foundations needed for the area you are building in. Also, check with your builder, most builders can make this type of change on the building site. If you need a particular foundation specified in the plans you can modify the plan to accommodate the appropriate foundation for your area.For your interest also read the article regarding geo-technical site investigations.

8. When will my plans be ready?

Plans will be ready after the client and draughtsman have come to the agreement that all aspects and information regarding the plans are to the clients’ needs and specifications. Thereafter the plans are submitted to council. The plans will then go through the approval process. Once the plans have been approved Gravity Plans will then be contacted by council and asked to collect the plans. Gravity Plans will then delivery the approved plans to you, the client.

9. Do you offer telephonic support?

We will gladly discuss any issue on the phone, but ultimately the best situation will be to meet and discuss the issues on site.

10. When and how do we make payment?

Full payment is due when plans are ready for submission. Payment will include council submission fees, engineering fees ( if required), town planning fees, plan copies.

11. How do I contact you?

We are committed to providing the highest level of customer service. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments.

info@gravityplans.co.za
076 577 0731