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PRACTICAL REPAIR GUIDANCE
GET THE RIGHT ANSWER BEFORE THE REPAIR STARTS.
Straight answers for property repairs and maintenance. Know what is urgent, what to document and what the correct next step should be.
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PROPERTY MAINTENANCE Q&A
Answers to the questions people ask before work starts.
Search the practical Q&A library by repair type, property issue or service. The guidance is a useful first step, not a substitute for a proper assessment where safety, compliance or hidden damage may be involved.
130 answers found
01General — What to Expect From a Maintenance CompanyWhat does a property maintenance company actually do?+
Handles the day-to-day repairs, servicing and upkeep of a property — plumbing, electrical, painting, roofing, gardens, HVAC and general handyman work — either reactively, call-out by call-out, or under an ongoing contract.
02General — What to Expect From a Maintenance CompanyWhat is the difference between property maintenance and property management?+
Property management covers the business side of a rental (tenants, leases, rent collection). Property maintenance covers the physical upkeep of the building itself. The two work together but are separate functions.
03General — What to Expect From a Maintenance CompanyWhat is the difference between apartment maintenance and general property maintenance?+
Apartment/sectional-title maintenance is split between what the body corporate maintains (common property) and what the owner maintains inside their own unit. A freestanding home has no such split — the owner is responsible for the whole property.
04General — What to Expect From a Maintenance CompanyHow much should I budget for property maintenance annually?+
As a rule of thumb, 1–2% of the property’s value per year for routine upkeep, rising for older properties or those with pools, gardens and HVAC.
05General — What to Expect From a Maintenance CompanyShould I sign a monthly maintenance retainer or just call someone when something breaks?+
A retainer suits owners with multiple recurring needs (garden, pool, aircon) or commercial/body corporate clients wanting predictable costs and priority response. Pay-as-you-go suits occasional, unrelated jobs.
06General — What to Expect From a Maintenance CompanyWhat is fair to expect a tenant to maintain themselves vs. the landlord/owner?+
Under the Rental Housing Act, the landlord is responsible for structural repairs and keeping the property habitable; the tenant is responsible for day-to-day upkeep and any damage they cause (see Theme 15).
07General — What to Expect From a Maintenance CompanyWhat are the most common maintenance issues new landlords or owners overlook?+
Geyser servicing, gutter cleaning, damp/waterproofing and electrical compliance — all four cause expensive damage if left unchecked.
08General — What to Expect From a Maintenance CompanyHow do I choose a reliable maintenance contractor I can trust?+
Check for proof of registration and insurance, insist on a written itemised quote, and check recent reviews (HelloPeter/Google) rather than relying on word of mouth alone.
09General — What to Expect From a Maintenance CompanyWhat is a proper maintenance/inspection checklist for my home or building?+
Roof and gutters, geyser and plumbing, electrical/DB board, damp and waterproofing, garden and irrigation, and security/access systems — checked at least twice a year.
10PlumbingHow often should my plumbing be professionally inspected?+
Annually for a routine check; more often for older properties (pre-2000) or where there’s a history of leaks.
11PlumbingHow often should I service or flush my geyser, and how long should a geyser last?+
Service annually (anode/element check, pressure valve test). A standard electric geyser lasts 8–15 years depending on water quality and maintenance.
12PlumbingWhy is my water pressure low, and can a plumber fix it?+
Usually yes — most low-pressure issues are a blocked or scaled pipe, a faulty pressure-reducing valve, or a municipal supply issue, all of which a plumber can diagnose and fix.
13PlumbingWhat causes a blocked drain and how do I prevent recurring blockages?+
Mostly fat, hair, leaves and tree roots. Regular drain flushing and not disposing of fat or oil down sinks prevents most recurring blockages.
14PlumbingIs this plumbing issue an emergency, and how quickly can someone come out?+
Burst pipes, no water, sewage backflow and active flooding are treated as emergencies with same-day response; non-urgent issues are scheduled within a few days.
15PlumbingWhat does a plumber’s call-out fee usually include?+
Typically travel, the diagnostic assessment, and the first period of labour (often 30–60 minutes). Parts and further labour are billed separately and should be quoted before work proceeds.
16PlumbingDo I need a Certificate of Compliance for plumbing work when selling my property?+
There is no single national “plumbing COC” equivalent to the electrical one, but a beetle/entomologist certificate and, in some municipalities, a plumbing certificate may be required — check with the conveyancing attorney and municipality.
WHAT CLIENTS SHOULD EXPECT
The complaints that should not happen — and the standards that prevent them.
Property maintenance goes wrong when communication, scope, scheduling or accountability are weak. These are the practical standards clients should expect before appointing any contractor.
01Communication & responsiveness+
Common complaints
- No response to enquiries or quote requests for days.
- No-shows for appointments, with no call to warn or reschedule.
- No named point of contact once a job is booked.
- No progress updates during multi-day jobs.
- Work differs from the brief or the company becomes defensive when something goes wrong.
The practical standard
Every enquiry should receive a same-business-day acknowledgement. Jobs need one accountable contact, scope confirmed in writing, and end-of-day WhatsApp updates on multi-day work. Problems must be acknowledged and escalated, not argued about.
02Quoting & pricing+
Common complaints
- Verbal-only quotes with no itemised scope, materials or pricing.
- Final invoices materially above the approved quote.
- Hidden call-out or assessment fees.
- Unapproved extras and unclear material mark-ups.
- Large deposits that are not explained or linked to materials.
The practical standard
Quotes should be written, itemised and dated. Any variation needs written approval before work or billing proceeds. Deposits must be proportionate to materials and clearly explained on the quote.
03Quality of work & workmanship+
Common complaints
- Repairs fail quickly or only deal with the visible symptom.
- Leaks and waterproofing failures recur after a repair.
- Wrong or inferior materials are substituted.
- Poor preparation, rushed work or incomplete snag lists.
- A general handyman is sent to work outside their competence.
The practical standard
The root cause should be diagnosed before quoting, especially for leaks and damp. The agreed materials and scope must be followed, with a written snag review before final sign-off. Specialist work must be allocated to the right trade.
04Timeliness & scheduling+
Common complaints
- Projects run beyond the promised timeline with no explanation.
- Repeated short-notice rescheduling.
- Work is abandoned partway through.
- Materials delays are only mentioned after a deadline is missed.
The practical standard
Dates should be realistic from the start. If weather, materials or another job affects the programme, the client must be told before the deadline passes. Work should not be booked unless the team can resource it.
05Professionalism & conduct+
Common complaints
- Unprofessional conduct or poor presentation on site.
- High-pressure sales tactics.
- Jargon, blame-shifting or a condescending attitude.
- Unmarked vehicles and no visible identification.
The practical standard
People on site must be identifiable, professional and clear. No pressure selling. Prices hold for the period stated on the quote and concerns are dealt with factually.
06Site management & cleanup+
Common complaints
- Rubble, packaging or paint left behind after completion.
- Damage to the property is not acknowledged or repaired.
- Furniture and surrounding areas are not protected.
The practical standard
A broom-clean handover is a basic standard. Surrounding areas should be protected, and any incidental damage needs to be reported promptly with a clear plan to put it right.
07Guarantees, comebacks & warranty+
Common complaints
- Warranty claims ignored or disputed after the fact.
- The same fault is not properly resolved on a repeat visit.
- No aftercare or snag-list follow-up once payment is made.
- Warranty terms are unclear.
The practical standard
Warranty terms should be recorded on the quote and invoice: what is covered and for how long. Genuine return visits need priority attention and the cause of a repeat fault must be investigated properly.
08Invoicing & payment disputes+
Common complaints
- The invoice does not match the quote or work completed.
- Cash-only or undocumented payment arrangements.
- No proper invoice or receipt.
- Deposit disputes when a job is cancelled or not delivered.
The practical standard
Invoices should match the approved quote and signed-off variations line by line. Work must be formally invoiced, with VAT handled correctly where applicable and payment records kept clear.
09Compliance, credentials & safety+
Common complaints
- No proof of registration, qualification or insurance.
- Permits or compliance certificates are dismissed as unnecessary.
- No relevant Certificate of Compliance after the work.
The practical standard
Clients should be able to request company registration, public liability cover and relevant trade credentials before work starts. Compliance requirements must be identified upfront, not treated as an afterthought.
10Subcontractor management+
Common complaints
- The client is left to chase several subcontractors.
- Quality varies between trades on the same job.
- SLA response targets are missed with no escalation.
- No job history, photos or completion sign-off for audit purposes.
The practical standard
Multi-trade work needs one accountable project lead. Escalation paths, job records, before-and-after photos and completion sign-off should be standard on commercial and SLA work.
11Trust & post-project accountability+
Common complaints
- What was promised at sales stage does not match what is delivered.
- A contractor's reputation is only discovered after they have been appointed.
The practical standard
Clear documentation of scope, timing, variations and warranty terms protects both sides. A consistent record of completed work and client feedback makes the track record visible before a client takes the risk.
SOUTH AFRICAN PRICE INDICATORS
A useful starting point — not a fixed quote.
These ZAR ranges are market indicators compiled for typical residential and light-commercial work. Access, site conditions, specification, quantity, materials and urgency can materially change the final cost.
Important: items marked Estimated have thinner market data and should be treated as a guide only. Request a site-specific scope and written quote before approving work.
Work itemGuide range (ZAR)
PaintingPaint interior wallsR100 – R200/m² (labour)
PaintingPaint exterior wallsR100 – R200/m² (labour)
PaintingPaint a standard 3-bedroom house exteriorR20,000 – R50,000 per job
PaintingPaint an average roomEstimatedR1,500 – R4,000 per room
PaintingPaint an IBR, corrugated or tile roofEstimatedR120 – R250/m²
PaintingDamp-proof or waterproof paintEstimatedR140 – R500/m²
PlumbingPlumber call-out feeR450 – R950 per visit
PlumbingPlumber hourly rateR450 – R1,200 per hour
PlumbingFix or replace a leaking geyserR6,000 – R12,000 per job, fully installed
PlumbingInstall a 150L electric geyserR6,000 – R12,000 installed
PlumbingGeyser serviceEstimatedR500 – R1,200 per service
PlumbingUnblock a drain or toiletR450 – R1,500 per job
PlumbingBurst pipe repair or leak detectionEstimatedR750 – R2,500 per job
PlumbingReplace a toiletEstimatedR1,500 – R3,500 per job
PlumbingRe-pipe a houseEstimatedR25,000 – R80,000+ per job
ElectricalElectrician call-out feeR650 – R950 per visit
ElectricalElectrician hourly rateR400 – R800 per hour; emergency R900 – R1,500
ElectricalElectrical Certificate of ComplianceR935 – R2,750 per certificate
ElectricalInstall or replace a DB boardEstimatedR3,500 – R12,000+ per job
ElectricalInstall a plug point or light fittingEstimatedR300 – R700 per point
ElectricalRewire a houseEstimatedR40,000 – R120,000+ per job
Roofing & dampWaterproof a roofR140 – R500/m²
Roofing & dampReplace a roofEstimatedR700 – R1,500/m²
Roofing & dampRepair a roof leak or replace roof sheetingR77 – R275/m²; typical job R1,100 – R27,500
Roofing & dampDamp-proofingEstimatedR150 – R400/m²
Roofing & dampClean or repair guttersR500 – R1,500 to clean; R150 – R350/m to replace
GardensGarden serviceR1,200 – R2,800/month
GardensLawn mowingEstimatedR300 – R700 per visit
GardensInstall new lawnEstimatedR60 – R150/m²
GardensTree felling or pruningR1,500 – R30,000+ per tree
GardensGarden makeoverEstimatedR300 – R800/m²
GardensIrrigation system installationEstimatedR15,000 – R45,000
Handyman & buildingHandyman hourly rateR300 – R800 per hour
Handyman & buildingHandyman call-out feeR450 – R750 per visit
Handyman & buildingGeneral building or renovationR7,700 – R16,500/m²
Handyman & buildingFull house renovationEstimatedR8,000 – R15,000/m²
Air-conditioningAircon installationEstimatedR3,500 – R8,000 labour only; R8,000 – R25,000 including unit
Air-conditioningAircon service or maintenanceR500 – R3,000 per service
Air-conditioningAircon call-out or repairR300 – R1,500 per visit
Pest controlGeneral pest control or fumigationR1,000 – R5,500+ per job
Pest controlTermite treatmentEstimatedR2,500 – R8,000 per job
Pest controlPest-control contractEstimatedR300 – R800/month or R3,000 – R8,000/year
Pool maintenancePool maintenanceR799 – R1,199/month
Pool maintenanceOnce-off pool cleaning or acid washEstimatedR695 – R795 clean; R2,500 – R6,000 acid wash
Pool maintenancePool pump replacement or repairEstimatedR2,500 – R8,000 per job
FlooringTilingR110 – R275/m² labour; R220 – R1,045/m² including materials
FlooringLaminate or vinyl flooring installationEstimatedR150 – R350/m²
FlooringFloor screeding or levellingEstimatedR80 – R200/m²
Security & carpentryBuilt-in cupboardsEstimatedR3,500 – R8,000/m
Security & carpentryGate motor installationEstimatedR4,500 – R12,000 per job
Security & carpentryElectric fence installationEstimatedR250 – R450/m
Security & carpentryGarage door and motorEstimatedR8,000 – R20,000 per job
Security & carpentryPaving or drivewayEstimatedR350 – R750/m²
Security & carpentryCCTV or alarm installationEstimatedR5,000 – R25,000 per job
Ceilings & miscellaneousPVC or Rhinoboard ceilingEstimatedR150 – R350/m²
Ceilings & miscellaneousPlastering or renderingEstimatedR120 – R280/m²
Ceilings & miscellaneousBorehole drilling and installationEstimatedR35,000 – R90,000 per job
BEFORE YOU BOOK
A better repair starts with the right information.
You do not need to diagnose the problem. But a few clear details stop delays, improve the quote process and help the right team arrive prepared.
Send photos or video
Clear evidence helps us understand the problem and decide whether a site assessment is needed.
Confirm the right next step
We will guide you towards a call-out, inspection, quote or planned maintenance discussion.
AT A GLANCE
What to include with a repair enquiry
- 01The site address and the affected area
- 02What happened and when it started
- 03Clear photos or a short video
- 04Whether there is water, electrical, security or access risk
- 05Any access requirements or trading-hour restrictions
WHATSAPP REPAIR REQUEST
Answer a few questions. We will prepare the message for you.
Your responses are placed into a clear WhatsApp request. Review it, add photos or video, then send it directly to SPINX.