There are some very good reasons why alternative building methods aren’t that feasible in the South African market, according to the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS).

The association believes that alternative methods can often be more expensive than traditional methods, don’t inspire customer trust, and may not be as aesthetically pleasing.

“Alternative building methods also come with a hidden price tag that can impact on quality and finish,” ASAQS says.

Former ASAQS president Bert van den Heever explains that there is a resistance to alternative methods in South Africa as most of these alternative construction methods have concentrated on providing alternative walling and roofing systems. These are the two largest elements that meet the eye when looking at a building.

“Trying to save money on walling using alternative building methods is sometimes a futile exercise as walling normally comes in at less than 10% of the total project cost,” van den Heever says.

Perceptions: ‘knock factor effect’

The association also explained that the use of clad walling systems has resulted in a negative perception in the lower end of the housing market called the ‘knock factor effect’.

“People knock the walls, if they sound hollow they instantly perceive the build as not solid or secure,” van den Heever says. “They want the solidity of brick – the traditional materials – over the perceived flimsiness of panels – the alternative ones.”

In addition to the impact of perception, alternative building materials are not always readily available in South Africa and often have to be imported, he says.

This pins on a price tag that few can afford, and as a result, there is some growth within the high-end market, but limited uptake in the lower end of the market.

Using different methods

“The value of using alternative building methods is hard to quantify,” van den Heever says. “We can show a client how using method B compared to method A will affect costs and often the answer isn’t in favour of alternative solutions,” he adds.

Quantity surveyors look at every aspect of a building and assess exactly what the costs are going to be from the start.

“We bring clarity – you may not like the answer, but you will know exactly where you stand,” van den Heever says.

What the customer should be asking

ASAQS says that whether one adopts an alternative approach or invests in traditional methods, the method and materials of the build are not the questions that the customer should be asking.

Instead, customers should be looking at the impact of cost right from the planning stage of the project to ensure that every part of the project, from meters to the materials, are assessed and evaluated.

“People often complain that there are hidden costs in their build, that the project price is stacking up in spite of a clear quote at the start,” van den Heever says. “That’s the pitfall that the quantity surveyor helps you avoid.

“We can put figures down that show you what you can get, from what you want, in the budget you have,” he adds. “You want to invest in alternative building methods? With that kind of clarity into spend and capability, you can, and you can do it without unpleasant surprises.”