This is based on recent figures from Stats SA.

The biggest increase was reported for residential buildings, up 8.9% followed by non-residential buildings up 7.8%.

Stats SA noted that additions and alterations declined 4.5%.

The real value of recorded building plans passed by larger municipalities - at constant 2005 prices - decreased by 0.7% during January to August compared with January to August 2010, due to a large decrease reported for additions and alterations at 8.8%. Increases were reported for residential buildings at 3.9% and non-residential buildings 3.2%.

Mpumalanga led the pack in terms of the value of building plans passed, followed by KwaZulu-Natal. The biggest decrease was in Gauteng, followed by Eastern Cape.

The seasonally adjusted total real value of recorded building plans passed by larger municipalities increased by 1.7% during the three months ended August 2011 compared with the three months ended May 2011. The biggest increase was reported for non-residential buildings (7.2%), followed by residential buildings (4.1%).

In contrast, a decrease of 4.8% for additions and alterations was reported during the above-mentioned period.