“How long is this going to take?”
It’s the first question every client asks, and it’s the hardest one to answer honestly. In the South African construction landscape, a timeline isn’t just a calendar; it’s a living document affected by weather, municipal approvals, and material lead times.
At Nexpoint Enterprises, we don’t believe in “thumb-suck” dates. We believe in milestones. Here is the realistic breakdown of what happens between the first handshake and the final key handover.
Phase 1: Pre-Construction (2 – 4 Months)
Before we move a single grain of sand, we have to win the “Paperwork War.” This phase is often the most frustrating for clients because it feels like nothing is happening, but it’s the most critical for a legal build.
Finalizing Blueprints: Locking in your architectural and structural engineering plans.
Municipal Approvals: Submitting plans to the local council. Depending on your area, this is the “waiting game.”
NHBRC Enrollment: Ensuring your home is registered for structural insurance.
Phase 2: Site Prep & Foundations (2 – 4 Weeks)
The machines arrive! This is where the project finally feels real.
Site Clearing: Removing vegetation and leveling the “pad.”
Excavation: Digging trenches for footings and underground plumbing.
The Pour: Pouring the concrete foundation.
Curing Time: We can’t rush physics. Concrete needs time to reach its structural strength before we can load it with heavy brickwork.
Phase 3: The Superstructure (2 – 3 Months)
This is the “growth spurt” phase. You’ll see walls rising daily.
Brickwork: Masonry teams build the internal and external walls.
Ring Beams & Lintels: Strengthening the structure over windows and doors.
The Roof: Once the trusses and roof covering (Chromadek, tiles, or slate) are on, the house is “water-tight.” This is a major milestone because internal work can now happen regardless of the weather.
Phase 4: The "First Fix" & Plastering (3 – 6 Weeks)
Now we move inside. This is the “veins and arteries” phase.
Plumbing & Electrical: Running pipes and wires inside the walls.
Plastering: Turning raw bricks into smooth, paintable surfaces.
Floor Screeding: Preparing the sub-floors for your final finishes.
Phase 5: The “Second Fix” & Finishes (1 – 2 Months)
This is where your Pinterest board becomes reality. It’s also the phase where the most “moving parts” happen at once.
Carpentry: Installing kitchen cabinets, built-in cupboards, and internal doors.
Tiling & Flooring: Laying the porcelain, wood, or epoxy surfaces.
Sanitaryware: Fitting the taps, toilets, and tubs.
Painting: The final aesthetic transformation.
Muziwandile Sibanda
Phase 6: Snagging & Handover (1 – 2 Weeks)
We don’t just finish and flee. We obsess over the details.
The Snag List: We walk through with you to find any tiny imperfections—a stiff lock, a paint smudge, or a loose tile.
The Clean: A professional deep-clean to remove construction dust.
The Handover: You get your Occupation Certificate, your keys, and a bottle of bubbly.
Why Timelines Sometimes Shift
Even with a team as efficient as Nexpoint, three things can move the needle:
The Highveld/Coastal Weather: We can’t pour concrete or do roofing in a torrential downpour.
Specialized Imports: If you’ve ordered “that one specific tile” from Italy, global shipping timelines are out of our hands.
Variation Orders: If you decide to add a balcony halfway through the build, the timeline will naturally expand to accommodate the new dream.
The Nexpoint Guarantee: No "Ghosting"
The most important part of our timeline is communication. You will receive a weekly progress report so you always know exactly where we are on the map.
