Practical articles on solar, plumbing, electrical, security, aircon, roofing, painting, cleaning and pest control — researched and written for SA homeowners.
Solar panels, battery backup, SARS rebates and Eskom savings — 15 articles
How long does solar take to pay for itself in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and 20 other SA cities? We crunch the PVGIS data and 2026 tariffs.
Read articleThe Section 12B incentive lets you deduct 125% of solar panel costs. Here's exactly how to claim it on your ITR12 return.
Read article3 kW, 5 kW or 10 kW? This guide explains how to size a solar system for your SA home based on your electricity bill.
Read articleLiFePO4 vs lead-acid, correct sizing, loadshedding stages — everything SA homeowners need to know before buying a battery.
Read articleWe compare the most popular hybrid inverters available in SA, with pricing, features and what installers actually recommend.
Read articleEskom has raised tariffs by over 600% since 2010. See the year-by-year data and what it means for your solar ROI.
Read articlePetrol generator or solar system — what's the true 10-year cost for South African homeowners? We compare upfront cost, running cost, noise, and ROI.
Read articleYou don't own your home — can you still benefit from solar? South African renters have more options than you think.
Read articleFrom quote to first kilowatt — the realistic timeline for a residential solar installation in South Africa in 2026.
Read articleCan't afford solar upfront? Every financing option available to South African homeowners in 2026 — bank loans, solar leases, PPAs, and more.
Read articleShould you stay connected to Eskom or go fully off-grid? Real costs, pros and cons for SA homeowners in 2026.
Read articleWhich water heating system makes the most sense for your SA home? Upfront cost, running cost, reliability and ROI compared.
Read articleWhich solar panel brand should you choose for your SA home? Efficiency, warranty, price and availability compared.
Read articleBad installations lose 20–40% of output. Here are the most common mistakes SA homeowners make and how to protect yourself.
Read articleSolar quotes vary by 30–50% for identical systems. What to look for and how to compare quotes like a professional.
Read articlePlumbers, geysers, burst pipes, COC compliance — 10 articles
Full breakdown of plumber call-out fees, hourly rates, and job costs across South Africa in 2026 — by city, with tips to avoid overpaying.
Read articleWhat does a geyser replacement cost in South Africa in 2026? Full breakdown by city, type and size — parts, labour, and COC included.
Read articleA burst pipe causes thousands of rands of damage per hour. Here's exactly what to do step by step to minimise damage in South Africa.
Read articlePIRB registration protects you from cowboy plumbers. How to verify registration and why it matters for insurance and COC.
Read articleWhen can you unblock a drain yourself and when do you need a professional? SA homeowner's guide to blocked drains and costs.
Read articleShould you repair or replace your geyser? The 40% rule, decision criteria, and what SA plumbers recommend in 2026.
Read articleWhat is a plumbing Certificate of Compliance, when is it legally required, and what happens without one?
Read articleShould you switch to a gas geyser? Running costs, installation costs, safety requirements and which works best for your home.
Read articleBurst geyser, burst pipe, flood damage — what does home insurance cover for plumbing? What you must do to avoid rejection.
Read articleWhat it costs to replace a burst or failed geyser in SA in 2026 — by size and type — plus what's included, what your insurance covers, and how to avoid overpaying.
Read articleElectrician costs, COC certificates, fault-finding, wireman licensing — 4 articles
Call-out fees, hourly rates and common job costs for SA electricians in 2026 — by city. What's reasonable, what's a rip-off, and what's included in a quote.
Read articleWireman registration is the legal minimum for electrical work in SA. How to verify it, why it matters, and red flags to watch for.
Read articleElectrical Certificate of Compliance — when it's legally required, what it costs, and what happens to your sale or insurance claim without one.
Read articleWhy your circuit breaker keeps tripping — the top causes in SA homes, what's safe to check yourself, and when to stop resetting and call an electrician.
Read articleAlarm systems, CCTV, electric fencing, armed-response linkups, PSiRA — 4 articles
Wireless vs hybrid, 4-zone vs 8-zone, app-control, armed response monitoring — full cost breakdown for SA homes in 2026.
Read articleAn alarm prevents intrusion; CCTV records what happened. Which one your home actually needs, what insurers prefer, and when to combine both.
Read articleEvery electric fence installed since 1 October 2012 must have an EFCoC. Required for property transfer, demanded by insurers, and not optional.
Read articleCommunicator modules, monthly contracts, response times, and how to pick an armed-response company that actually shows up. SA homeowner's guide.
Read articleAircon installation, servicing, re-gassing and brands — 3 articles
What does it cost to install a split-unit or ducted air-conditioner in SA in 2026? Full price breakdown by BTU size, plus what affects the quote.
Read articleSkipping aircon servicing costs you on your electricity bill and risks compressor failure. Here's how often to service, and what a service includes.
Read articleSamsung, LG, Midea, Daikin, Gree and more — which aircon brands offer the best value, reliability and energy efficiency for SA homes in 2026?
Read articleRoof repairs, leaks, waterproofing and re-roofs — 3 articles
Leak repairs, waterproofing, tile replacement and full re-roofs — what they cost in SA in 2026, and how to avoid overpaying.
Read articleA leaking roof gets worse fast. Here's how to limit the damage today, what causes most SA roof leaks, and what repairs cost.
Read articleTorch-on, acrylic membrane or liquid rubber? A plain-English guide to waterproofing your SA roof, what it costs, and how long each system lasts.
Read articleInterior, exterior, damp-proofing and costs — 3 articles
Interior, exterior and full repaint prices for SA homes in 2026 — per m² and per project — plus what makes a paint job last.
Read articleDifferent surfaces, different paints, different weather windows. How interior and exterior painting differ — and the order to do them in.
Read articleRising damp, penetrating damp or condensation? Why painting over damp never works, how to fix the cause, and what damp-proofing costs.
Read articleDomestic, deep cleans, post-build and pricing — 3 articles
Once-off, deep clean, post-build and office cleaning prices for SA in 2026 — plus what's included and how to choose a service.
Read articleNot sure whether you need a deep clean or a standard clean? Here's exactly what each covers, and when to book which.
Read articleRenovation or new build finished? Post-build cleaning removes the dust, paint and debris a normal clean can't. Here's what's involved and the cost.
Read articleRodents, termites, fumigation and costs — 3 articles
Cockroaches, rodents, termites, fumigation — what pest control costs in SA in 2026, and why your operator must be DAFF-registered.
Read articleTermites cause serious structural damage before you ever see them. Learn the warning signs, why DIY rarely works, and what treatment costs.
Read articleRodents spread disease, gnaw wiring and breed fast. A practical guide to getting rid of rats and mice — and keeping them out for good.
Read articleRenovation costs, hiring guides and how to budget — 5 articles
What a bathroom renovation really costs in SA in 2026 — budget, mid-range and luxury — plus the line items that drive the price and how to avoid blowing the budget.
Read articleBudget, mid-range and luxury kitchen renovation prices for SA in 2026 — what drives the cost, where to save, and how to brief a contractor so quotes are comparable.
Read articleDeposit disappears, work stalls, quality is poor — hiring the wrong contractor is costly. A practical checklist for vetting any home-services pro in SA before you pay a cent.
Read articleWhat it costs to replace a burst or failed geyser in SA in 2026 — by size and type — plus what's included, what your insurance covers, and how to avoid overpaying.
Read articleWhat it costs to build per m² in SA in 2026 — entry-level to luxury — plus extensions, the big cost drivers, and how to brief a builder so quotes are comparable.
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