Paving and landscaping need no statutory licence in South Africa, so you can start once you have the skill, the kit and a registered business. There is no compulsory paving trade test; skills come from on-the-job training or short CETA courses, while landscaping has a professional body in SALI (South African Landscapers Institute) and water-wise training through Rand Water. Recurring garden-maintenance contracts are the steady income here, so build a mixed kit and price per square metre or per project as a market estimate.
How to register and get qualified
Both sides of this trade are unlicensed, but training and a water-wise angle set you apart.
- Landscaping training. SALI (South African Landscapers Institute) is the primary professional body, with membership and training at sali.org.za. CETA (Construction Education and Training Authority) and QCTO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations) learnerships in Horticulture and Landscaping run at NQF (National Qualifications Framework) Levels 2 to 4.
- Water-wise training. Rand Water and SAGIC run Water Wise training for landscaping workers in partnership with SALI, across four workshops: hydrozoning and plant characteristics; soils, compost and mulch; irrigation and watering; and wetlands and biodiversity. With water restrictions common, this is a real competitive differentiator.
- Paving. There is no specific paving trade test; skills are usually picked up on the job or through short CETA courses.
- Business registration. Register a sole proprietor or a Pty Ltd (private company) with the CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission), get a SARS (South African Revenue Service) tax number, and register for COIDA (Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases) once you employ anyone. VAT (Value-Added Tax) registration is compulsory only once turnover passes R2.3 million in a 12-month period, the threshold from 1 April 2026; it is voluntary below that.
Kit and start-up costs
This trade spans paving plant and garden tools, so the kit is broad. Figures are approximate retail prices, so confirm before buying.
- Plate compactor (wacker plate): about R8,000 to R15,000, or hire at about R500 to R800 per day at first.
- Concrete mixer: hire, then buy later at about R5,000 to R8,000.
- Wheelbarrow, shovels, rakes and picks: about R3,000.
- Rubber mallet, string lines, pins and a level: about R1,500.
- Angle grinder with a diamond blade for cutting pavers: about R3,500.
- Laser level for gradient control: about R3,000.
- Lawnmower, hedge trimmer and leaf blower for the landscaping side: about R8,000 to R15,000.
- Irrigation installation tools, pipe cutters and a fittings kit: about R3,000.
- A bakkie and trailer: finance or buy.
A realistic launch kit lands at roughly R30,000 to R55,000, excluding the vehicle. The wacker plate and concrete mixer are the items to hire until the workload justifies owning them.
What you can charge (estimates)
No South African body publishes paving or landscaping rates, and they vary widely, so the figures below are guidance estimates only. Price each job on its size, access and finish.
- Paving installation, brick or concrete: roughly R200 to R500 per square metre, labour only.
- Garden maintenance, monthly contract: roughly R800 to R3,000 per month depending on property size.
- Irrigation installation: roughly R5,000 to R20,000 per system, supply and install.
- Full garden landscaping: quoted per project, often R50,000 to R200,000 or more for a significant residential garden.
Garden-maintenance contracts are the recurring revenue that smooths out the lumpier paving and landscaping projects, so chase them early.
Water-wise and regulatory angle
Many municipalities, including Johannesburg, Cape Town and Stellenbosch, have water restrictions and by-laws governing garden irrigation and water use, so check the local rules before you design a watering plan. Rand Water Water Wise guidelines on water-efficient landscaping are increasingly a selling point. Irrigation needs no specific licence, but any connection to the mains must comply with the local water by-laws and SANS 10252-1 (the South African National Standard for water supply). SANS 10400 Part P applies to stormwater on paved surfaces, which must be disposed of properly and not channelled into drainage systems inappropriately.
Common mistakes
- Skipping the sub-base on paving. A paved area fails from the base up; compaction and bedding are where the job is won or lost.
- Ignoring local water by-laws. Designing irrigation against a watering restriction can land the client a fine and you a callback.
- Pricing maintenance too low. Recurring contracts are the steady income; price them to cover travel and seasonal load, not just a quiet month.
- Mishandling stormwater on driveways. SANS 10400 Part P means runoff must be dealt with; getting gradients and drainage wrong floods the client.
Know someone who needs this?
Keep reading
Was this guide useful?
Didn't find what you were looking for?
Spotted something wrong or out of date? Email us at hello@kilnguides.co.uk.
In crisis? SADAG 0800 567 567 ·