The National Minimum Wage rose to R30.23 an hour on 1 March 2026. Check your pay ->

Get the answers your site doesn't give you.

Free plain-English guides, checkers and templates for tradespeople, apprentices and small firms. No signup, no paywall, no guesswork.

165 guides•40 templates•40 free tools•35 reference cards

All 9 provinces. South African rules, plain English.

Check my pay What should I do?

Built by Scott Jones, Founder · Publisher: Kiln Network Ltd (company no. 17324534)

165 guides.40 tools.40 templates.35 reference cards.All free.

781 guides read in total

Something's gone wrong on site. What do I do?

Pick the situation closest to yours. We'll get you to the right guide in two taps. No triage questions, no forms.

I've just disturbed asbestos

Stop. Get out. Don't clean up. Here's the first five minutes.

I've had a SARS letter

What it means, your deadline, and what to do before you panic.

My tools or cable have been stolen

Police, case number, insurance, asset register (in that order).

I haven't been paid

Your rights on a late invoice and when to stop work.

I've been dismissed on the spot

Notice, final pay, and your route to the CCMA.

I can't pay my SARS bill

Payment arrangements, deferrals, and how to stop it getting worse.

Client's refusing a snag

The difference between defects, scope, and fair wear.

Someone's had an accident on site

First aid, then report it. COIDA and the DEL steps that follow.

I'm not sure if I'm really self-employed

Employee or contractor? It changes your tax, UIF and your rights.

Swipe for more →

I've just disturbed asbestos

Stop. Get out. Don't clean up. Here's the first five minutes.

I've had a SARS letter

What it means, your deadline, and what to do before you panic.

My tools or cable have been stolen

Police, case number, insurance, asset register (in that order).

I haven't been paid

Your rights on a late invoice and when to stop work.

I've been dismissed on the spot

Notice, final pay, and your route to the CCMA.

I can't pay my SARS bill

Payment arrangements, deferrals, and how to stop it getting worse.

Client's refusing a snag

The difference between defects, scope, and fair wear.

Someone's had an accident on site

First aid, then report it. COIDA and the DEL steps that follow.

I'm not sure if I'm really self-employed

Employee or contractor? It changes your tax, UIF and your rights.

Pick the part of your work that's biting right now.

Starting Out

New to working for yourself? CIPC, SARS, your first registrations and surviving year one.

Getting Paid

Quotes, deposits, retention, chasing money and what to do when a contractor won't pay.

Contracts & Disputes

JBCC and GCC contracts, variations, defects, liens, adjudication and court routes.

Health & Safety on Site

Your OHS Act and Construction Regulations duties, appointments, risk assessments and real site hazards.

Tax & SARS

Income tax, provisional tax, VAT, deductions and dealing with SARS, in plain English.

Licensing & Registration

Who may legally do the work: DEL wireman registration, PIRB, SAQCC Gas, NHBRC and certificates of compliance.

Browse all guides →

Where are you in your career?

Pick what fits. We'll show you exactly what to do.

Just started on site

Apprentice and first-year content. The basics nobody bothers to explain.

First year self-employed

Sole trader toolkit. Tax, insurance, contracts.

Running a small firm

Hiring, payroll, growth - for small construction businesses.

Chasing money you're owed

Unpaid invoices, liens, the Small Claims Court and getting paid in SA.

Got a difficult client

Your rights when domestic jobs go wrong.

Need a template letter

40 free templates for every situation.

The big five things that catch tradespeople out.

Deep dives into the subjects that matter most.

Getting Paid

Chasing money and not getting it? Start here.

Staying Safe

Risk, RAMS, PPE, accident reporting. The rules that actually apply to you.

Tax for Builders

Income tax, provisional tax, VAT and SARS. What you owe, when, and the deductions you can claim.

Know Your Rights

What your boss, client or main contractor can and can't make you do.

Building Regs Explained

Does this job need regs? Planning? A notice? Check before you start.

The firms keeping this site free. Your firm here? Category-exclusive sponsorship, one sponsor per topic, no competing brands. advertise@kilnguides.co.uk or see the Advertise page.