Every guide, every question, one plain-English page each.
165 guides covering pay, tax, rights, regs, safety, paperwork and running a trade business in South Africa. Written for site, not the braai.
Every guide answers one practical question a South African tradesperson, apprentice or small-firm owner is actually asking. They cite the law, they tell you what to do next, and they don't waste your time with preamble.
Not sure where to start?
I'm new to construction
Starting out, first day on site, cards, tax, insurance - the stuff nobody tells you.
I've got a problem right now
Not been paid? Customer dispute? DEL inspector turned up? Find the guide for your situation.
I'm running my own business
Pricing, quotes, insurance, going commercial, employing people, business continuity.
Featured
Starting Out
Setting up as a self-employed tradesperson in South Africa: CIPC, SARS, your first registrations, and surviving year one.
3 guides
Tax & SARS
Income tax, provisional tax, VAT, deductions and dealing with SARS, in plain English.
15 guides
Getting Paid
Quotes, deposits, invoices, retention, chasing money and what to do when a contractor will not pay. SA has no Security of Payment Act, so the contract is everything.
5 guides
Contracts & Disputes
JBCC, GCC and plain small-works contracts, variations, defects, liens, adjudication and court routes.
6 guides
Pricing & Getting Work
What trades actually charge, day rates, markup, quoting properly and the marketing that brings work in.
5 guides
Running the Business
The back office: banking, bookkeeping, software, customer communication, POPIA and keeping records SARS will accept.
12 guides
Employment & Your Crew
Hiring, the BCEA, the National Minimum Wage, UIF, COIDA, the CCMA and contractor-versus-employee.
11 guides
Health & Safety on Site
Your OHS Act and Construction Regulations duties, appointments, risk assessments, and the hazards that actually hurt people.
13 guides
Tool Theft & Site Security
Tool and cable theft, securing your bakkie and your site, reporting to SAPS for a case number, and getting your insurance claim paid.
2 guides
Insurance & Risk
Public liability, contract works, SASRIA, tool theft and what your policy will not pay out.
4 guides
Licensing & Registration
Who may legally do the work: DEL wireman registration, PIRB, SAQCC Gas, NHBRC, trade tests and the certificates of compliance.
2 guides
Tenders & Public Work
CIDB grading, B-BBEE levels, the CSD, tax compliance status and what a compliant tender pack actually needs.
4 guides
Building Right
SANS 10400 part by part, plan approval, occupancy certificates and building inspectors.
8 guides
Solar & Energy
Load-shedding, solar PV, SSEG registration, certificates of compliance and the energy work driving the trade right now.
3 guides
Your Trade
Trade-by-trade starter briefings: registration, kit, rates and the realities of each trade in South Africa.
26 guides
Migration & Mobility
Foreign tradespeople working in SA, work visas, and taking your South African trade overseas.
5 guides
Working in Your Metro
City by city: plan approval, SSEG rules, by-laws and who to phone in each metro.
9 guides
Health, Money & Life
The human side of the trade: mental health, money stress, your body, retirement and life's big moments.
20 guides
For Homeowners
Hiring a builder or tradesperson safely in South Africa: the checks, the certificates and your CPA rights.
4 guides
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Construction has one of the highest suicide rates of any trade. Free, confidential SA crisis lines, practical support and real talk for anyone struggling on the tools.
8 guides
Trade-Specific First-Year Guides
1 trade-specific guides for your first year self-employed. The stuff college doesn't teach you - finding work, pricing jobs, choosing insurance, and surviving the first 12 months.
Popular Guides
Most-read guides on SiteKiln - start here if you're not sure where to begin.
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