Raft Foundation Cost depends on the soil, the engineer's design, the floor area and how easy the site is to work on. Below are ballpark prices and how contractors build up a raft quotation.
Get a price for your project rather than a range. Send one request, with no obligation.
Request a QuoteHow Contractors Price
- Per m². Common for rafts, slabs and floors.
- Per m³. Used for concrete, excavation and fill.
- Per linear metre. Used for footings, beams, joints and edge shutters.
- Per item. Used for columns, stairs, pumps and inspections.
- Provisional sums. Allowances for unknowns such as rock. Check these closely.
Raft Foundation Cost at a Glance
Ballpark prices so you can sanity-check a quotation.
| Item | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Raft foundation, single-storey house | R850 - R1,600 per m² |
| Raft foundation, double-storey house | R1,100 - R2,000 per m² |
| Typical 150 m² house raft | R130,000 - R240,000 |
| Engineer's raft design and drawings | R8,000 - R30,000 |
| Geotechnical site investigation | R12,000 - R35,000 |
| Concrete pump, per pour | R4,500 - R12,000 |
| Ready-mix concrete, delivered | R2,000 - R3,000 per m³ |
Prices JUST UPDATED. Indicative ballpark figures in rand, rounded and excluding VAT. They reflect typical South African market rates for this kind of work. They are not our prices or quotations, and no contractor is bound by them. Confirm VAT, delivery, steel, concrete and what each quotation includes.
What Drives the Price
- Ground conditions. Clay, collapsible sand, fill, rock and groundwater change the design and the digging.
- Engineering. The engineer's design sets slab thickness, beams and steel, and site visits are charged.
- Reinforcement. Steel quantity is often the biggest variable between designs.
- Concrete. Volume, strength class, pump hire and minimum load charges.
- Access. Narrow or steep sites need pumps, small machines or hand work.
- Programme and weather. Rain delays and rushed programmes add cost.
What a Quotation Usually Includes
- Setting out and excavation to the drawings.
- Formwork or edge shutters.
- DPM and sand blinding where specified.
- Reinforcement supply and fixing.
- Concrete supply, placing and finishing.
- Curing and cleaning up.
Common Exclusions
- Engineer's design, soil report and inspection fees.
- Rock excavation and dewatering.
- Imported or engineered fill.
- Concrete pump hire.
- Plumbing and drainage under the slab.
- Termite treatment, screeds, waterproofing and VAT.
Ask every contractor to price from the same drawings and list exclusions so you can compare like with like.
Raft Foundation Cost FAQs
How much does a raft foundation cost?
As a ballpark, R850 to R1,600 per m² for a single-storey house and R1,100 to R2,000 per m² for a double-storey, excluding VAT, design and soil report.
Why do raft foundation quotes differ so much?
Quotes are often based on different steel and concrete quantities, or exclude items such as fill, pumps or termite treatment. Compare them against the same drawings.
Is the engineer's fee included?
Usually not. Design, soil reports and inspections are often paid separately unless you choose design and build.
Can I lower the cost of a raft?
Early soil investigation, a clear design and good site access help. Do not cut steel or concrete below the engineer's specification.
Related Services
Raft Foundations South Africa is a quote-matching service. Prices on this page are indicative only. Your quotation comes from the independent contractor you choose.
Raft Foundation Cost. Describe your project once and get the best quote, fast.
Request a QuoteGet the Best Quote, Fast
Keep it brief. Give your location, the service, the approximate project size and a short description. With your consent, your enquiry is passed only to independent contractors suited to the job, and you decide whether to go ahead.
Client Reviews
Powered by leaderr
