Nutec Houses: Prices, Sizes and Disadvantages

Nutec houses are what most South Africans call homes built from fibre cement boards fixed to a timber or light steel frame, usually with cover strips over the joins. "Nutec" is used as a general name for fibre cement here, not one maker. The boards don't rot or feed termites the way timber can, and the houses go up much faster than brick. They range from a one room backyard unit to a three bedroom home. This page covers sizes, pros and cons, plans and nutec house prices. Send one free, no-obligation request and local builders quote you directly.

What nutec houses are made of

A nutec house has a frame of treated pine or light steel, with fibre cement boards outside, commonly 1200 mm wide and about 4 to 12 mm thick. Cover strips hide the joins, and the inside is lined with board or drywall. The roof is usually IBR or corrugated sheeting.

1 bedroom: about 6 x 6 m with a bathroom and open plan kitchen.
2 bedroom: about 6 x 9 m to 8 x 10 m.
3 bedroom: 80 m² and up, often with an en suite.

How to choose a nutec house

Thin boards on a light frame make a cheap shell; a home needs more. Ask about:

Board thickness outside, and what lines the inside;
Insulation in walls and roof, because thin walls get hot and cold without it, and SANS 10400-XA sets energy rules for new homes;
Frame: treated timber (H2 inside, H3 outside) or steel;
Finishes: ceilings, a kitchen, bathroom, geyser and the DB board.

For a backyard rental, compare a granny flat layout.

Plans, slabs and old asbestos sheets

A nutec house you live in needs council approved plans, and a new permanent home needs an NHBRC registered builder. Build on a level, square slab with a damp-proof membrane, or on stilts on a slope. Fibre cement can crack if knocked or if the frame moves, so the base must be solid.

Fibre cement made before the 2008 asbestos ban may contain asbestos. Don't cut, drill or sand old sheets: have them tested first. New boards are cut with a scoring knife or a fibre cement blade with dust extraction and a mask.

Nutec houses prices and what to ask

Published price lists put nutec houses at about R3,000 to R6,000 per m²: the low end for a basic house, the high end with ceilings, lining, a kitchen, bathroom, plumbing and electrics. Ask each builder:

the board thickness, frame size and insulation;
whether the slab, delivery, erection and VAT are included;
who does the plumbing and the electrical certificate of compliance;
for photos of houses they finished and how they treat the joins.

What to put in your request

Give the size or number of bedrooms
Ask for the board thickness and the frame
Say whether you want insulation and ceilings
Say whether you need a slab
Ask who issues the electrical CoC

Nutec Houses for different clients

Homeowners: a two or three bedroom fibre cement home on your stand, quicker than brick
Backyard landlords and families: insulated nutec rental rooms in the backyard, each with a shower and toilet
Farms and smallholdings: staff houses on a farm where termites eat timber and brick is far away
Lodges, guest farms and resorts: fibre cement chalets at a coastal resort or campsite that won't rot in damp
Schools and creches: a nutec office, store or staff room added on the school grounds
Contractors and mines: fibre cement site rooms that are taken down and moved to the next job
Shops, offices and small businesses: a nutec shop, clinic room or salon on a business stand
Municipalities, churches and NGOs: emergency and relocation homes for municipalities after floods and fires

Frequently asked questions

What are the disadvantages of nutec houses?

Fibre cement can crack if it is hit hard or if the frame or base moves. Thin walls get hot in summer and cold in winter unless they are insulated, and they carry sound more than brick. Joins need cover strips and sealing, and the paint needs renewing. Some banks and buyers look harder at alternative building methods, so ask before you plan to sell.

What do 2 bedroom nutec houses cost?

A two bedroom nutec house is usually about 54 to 80 m². At R3,000 to R6,000 per m², that is roughly R160,000 to R480,000, depending on how finished it is. The slab, council fees, delivery over long distances and connecting water and power are often extra, so ask what each quote includes.

Do nutec houses need plans?

Yes. A nutec house you live in must have plans approved by the municipality under SANS 10400, the same as a brick house. A new permanent home must also be built by an NHBRC registered builder. A plan drawer can prepare the drawings, see prefab house plans.

Can I build a nutec house on top of my old one?

Not usually. If the old house has fibre cement sheets from before 2008, they may contain asbestos and should be tested before anyone cuts, drills or removes them. Removal must be done by a registered contractor. A new nutec house then goes up on a sound, level slab.

Fibre cement walls on a frame, from a room to a family home

What nutec houses are made of

How to choose a nutec house

Plans, slabs and old asbestos sheets

Nutec houses prices and what to ask

What to put in your request

Nutec Houses for different clients

Frequently asked questions

Nutec Houses by province and city

More homes, buildings and services

Homes

Rooms, cabins & buildings

Supplies & services

Request nutec houses quotes

1The job

2Size the floor plan (optional, it helps the quote)

3Delivery and when

4Parts list (optional)

5Your details