The value of recorded building plans passed (at current prices) increased by 33.3% (R6.6bn) during January to April this year compared with January to April last year‚ Statistics SA reported on Thursday.

The biggest increase was reported for non-residential buildings (79.0% or R3.2bn)‚ followed by residential buildings (28.4% or R2.6bn) and additions and alterations (11.9% or R789m).

Six provinces reported year-on-year increases in the value of building plans passed during January to April this year. The increase in the value of building plans passed was dominated by Gauteng.

The real value of recorded building plans passed (at constant 2010 prices) increased year on year by 25.9% (R4.7bn) during January to April this year. All three major building categories showed increases‚ with the largest increase reported for non-residential followed by residential buildings and additions and alterations.

The seasonally adjusted real value of recorded building plans passed increased by 3.1% during the three months ended April this year compared with the previous three months.

The biggest percentage increase was reported for additions and alterations (10.2%)‚ followed by residential buildings (7.5%). A decrease was reported for non-residential buildings (-9.8%).

The value of buildings reported as completed (at current prices) increased by 17.8% (R2.5bn) during January to April compared with January to April last year. The biggest percentage increase was reported for additions and alterations‚ followed by residential buildings and non-residential buildings during the above-mentioned period.

Six provinces reported year-on-year increases in the value of buildings completed during January to April. The year-on-year increase was dominated by Western Cape. The real value of buildings reported as completed (at constant 2010 prices) increased year on year by 11.3% (R1.6bn) during January to April. Increases were reported for additions and alterations (20.0% or R690.7m)‚ residential buildings (12.6% or R808.1m) and non-residential buildings (1.5% or R58m) during the period.