Renovating around the December builders' break

Every year, most of the South African construction industry closes down for a few weeks over Christmas and New Year. Suppliers close, factories stop production and many teams travel home for the holidays. If you are planning work at the end of the year, it pays to plan around the break rather than be caught by it.

When is the break?

The exact dates vary from company to company, but the industry break usually runs from mid-December to the second week of January. Many suppliers and manufacturers close for a similar period, and some take longer to get back to full production in January.

What it means for your project

Nothing much happens for three to four weeks. A project that is “nearly finished” in early December will usually not be finished until late January.
Deliveries stop early. Suppliers’ last delivery dates are often a week or more before they close. Order anything you need before then.
Manufacturing lead times stretch. Joinery, worktops, windows and steel work ordered in late November may not be ready until the new year.
Sites must be left safe. Open trenches, half-finished roofs and exposed openings need to be made safe and weatherproof before everyone leaves.

If you want to be in for Christmas

If you are hoping to have a kitchen or bathroom working for Christmas, be realistic. Work back from the second week of December and allow for joinery and worktop lead times. In most cases, that means starting in September or early October at the latest.

If time is tight, consider splitting the work: get the kitchen and one bathroom finished before the break, and leave the rest for January.

Starting in January

Starting a project in January is a good option. Your design and approvals can be finished in the last months of the year, orders can be placed before the break, and work can begin as soon as teams return. You also avoid a project that stops for a month halfway through.

Going away over the holidays?

Many people use the holidays to be away while work happens. Be aware that very little work will happen during the break itself. If you want work done while you are away, plan it for late November or early December, or for late January and February.

Security over the break

An empty site is a target. Make sure materials are locked away or removed, the property is secure and someone is checking on it. Agree with your builder who has keys and who to call if something happens.

Our approach

We plan the last weeks of the year carefully with our clients: what can realistically be finished before the break, what is ordered when, and how the site is left. If you are thinking about a project for the new year, now is a good time to talk to us.