Frequently Asked Questions

A: Bugs & Sparks specialises in conducting compliance inspections and issuing certificates of compliance for a range of property installations. These include electrical, plumbing, gas, beetle (wood-destroying organisms), and electric fence system installations.

For electrical installations, we conduct a thorough inspection to ensure that the electrical system meets the relevant safety and compliance standards. If the installation is deemed compliant, we issue a certificate of compliance.

With water installations, we inspect the water installation and check for any leaks or defects in the water supply system. We will issue a certificate of compliance if the installation meets the relevant regulations and standards.

For gas installations, we conduct a leak test check for any defects in the gas supply system. Here too, we issue a certificate of compliance if the installation is deemed compliant with the relevant regulations and standards.

For beetle inspections, we check for any signs of wood-destroying organisms in the property and issue a certificate of compliance if the installation is deemed free from infestation.

With electric fence systems, we inspect to ensure that the system is installed and functioning correctly. We issue a certificate of compliance if the installation meets the relevant safety and compliance standards.

Our team is qualified and experienced in conducting these inspections and ensuring that properties meet the relevant safety and compliance standards. We work closely with our clients to ensure their properties are compliant and safe for use. We subsequently provide detailed reports and recommendations to help address any issues identified during the inspections.

A: To book a compliance inspection with Bugs & Sparks, contact our office team through our website, email, or phone. Our friendly team will guide you through the booking process and answer any questions you may have.

BOOK INSPECTIONS ONLINE

Call: 087 701 2332

Email: inspections@bugsandsparks.co.za

A: At Bugs & Sparks, we strive to provide competitive and transparent pricing for our compliance inspection services. Our standard fee for a compliance inspection is R550 per inspection. However, for larger properties or more complex inspections that may require additional time, we may charge an hourly rate. This ensures our inspectors can thoroughly assess the property and provide accurate recommendations.

We also offer discounts for clients who book multiple inspections at the same property. We understand that clients may require multiple compliance inspections, such as electrical, water, gas, beetle (WDO), and electric fence system inspections, for the same property during a property transfer or ongoing maintenance. In such cases, we are pleased to offer discounted rates to ensure our clients receive comprehensive compliance inspection services at a cost-effective price.
OUR FEES

Our goal is to provide reliable, professional, and cost-effective compliance inspection services to our clients while ensuring that the inspections are thorough, compliant, and in line with industry standards. We are committed to delivering value for our clients’ investment in our services and strive to build long-term relationships based on trust and satisfaction.

A: The “proceeds” option involves the attorneys settling the client’s account for any compliance inspections and repairs when the property is transferred. If this payment option is chosen, Bugs & Sparks requires written confirmation from the conveyancing attorney that they will settle the invoice.
The “cash discounted price”/immediate payment option offers clients discounts on inspections as well as repairs. The discount for inspections depends on which/how many compliance inspections are completed. A further 15% discount is offered on our repair quotation if paid within 24 hours of the repairs being completed.
Accepted payment methods: Cash, EFT, and debit/credit card (available as an online or in-person card payment option).

OUR FEES

A: Bugs & Sparks specialises in conducting compliance inspections and issuing certificates of compliance for a range of domestic & commercial property installations. These include electrical, plumbing, gas, beetle (wood-destroying organisms), and electric fence system installations.

A: A Certificate of Compliance (CoC) can only be issued by a qualified and accredited professional who is authorised by the relevant industry regulatory body or authority. At Bugs & Sparks, we have a team of highly qualified and experienced inspectors who are accredited with the relevant certifications and licenses. Our team are certified to conduct compliance inspections and issue CoCs for electrical, plumbing (water), gas, beetle (wood-destroying organisms), and electric fence system installations.

Our inspectors have undergone rigorous training and hold certifications from industry regulatory bodies, ensuring that they are knowledgeable and competent in their respective fields. They have a deep understanding of the relevant safety standards, regulations, and best practices, and follow strict guidelines when conducting inspections and issuing CoCs.

It is important to rely on qualified and accredited professionals to issue CoCs, as these certificates serve as official documentation that a property installation meets the required safety and compliance standards. By choosing our company, clients can be confident that their CoCs are being issued by authorised professionals who are recognised by the industry regulatory bodies, and that their properties are compliant and safe for use.

A: The compliance certification process at Bugs & Sparks is designed to be efficient and timely while ensuring thorough inspections and accurate certification. The duration of the process may vary depending on the type and complexity of the inspection, the size of the property, as well as the availability of our inspectors and scheduling considerations.

Property Inspection

In general, our compliance certification process involves conducting a comprehensive inspection of the property to assess its compliance with relevant regulations and safety standards. Our experienced inspectors thoroughly evaluate the installation, identify any deficiencies or non-compliance issues, and provide recommendations for remedial action, if needed. A standard inspection can take approximately 1 hour, although the timeframe differs depending on the previously mentioned factors.

Inspection Report

Once the inspection is completed, our team promptly prepares a detailed inspection report, as well as a quote for any remedial work that may be required. Upon confirmation of compliance, either after the inspection/s or after the compliance repairs, the necessary certification documents are prepared to issue the Certificate of Compliance (CoC). The CoC serves as official documentation that the property meets the required safety and compliance standards.

Time Frame for Inspection

The time frame for the compliance certification process can typically range from a few hours to a few days, depending on the size, complexity, and type of inspection. We understand the importance of timely certification for property transfers or ongoing compliance requirements. Above all, we strive to complete the process as efficiently as possible without compromising the quality and accuracy of our inspections.

Our team is dedicated to providing prompt and reliable compliance certification services while ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to thoroughly assess and certify the property’s compliance with relevant regulations and safety standards.

A: During the inspection, inspectors will look for any potential hazards or violations, such as faulty wiring, leaks in plumbing systems, or missing fittings.

Our company is qualified and experienced in conducting property inspections and issuing certificates of compliance for a wide range of property installations. These include electrical, plumbing, gas, electric fence, and beetle inspections. We can only issue a certificate of compliance for work that meets the relevant safety and compliance standards and regulations.

If our certified inspectors conduct an inspection and find that the property’s installation/s is compliant and meets the relevant standards, we can issue a certificate of compliance for that installation. However, if we find that the previous work is non-compliant or does not meet the required standards, we cannot issue a certificate of compliance until the necessary remedial work has been completed.

Regardless, we will provide the client with a detailed report of our findings and recommendations, including a quote for any necessary remedial work. We will also work closely with the client and any other relevant parties to ensure that the necessary remedial work is completed and that the property meets the required safety and compliance standards.
You can find out what is checked for each type of installation inspection (i.e. electrical, water, gas, etc.), by visiting the relevant page on our website.

A: The frequency of recertification varies depending on the type of certification and regulatory requirements. For example, a gas certification remains valid as long as there are no modifications, or alterations made to the installation, or any changes in the ownership of the property. You get a new certification after your annual maintenance. Below is the validity period of each type of certificate of compliance:

1. Electrical COC: Valid for the lifetime of an installation unless a change of ownership occurs or any additions or alterations are made to the installation since the CoC was issued. If changes were made since the original CoC was issued, a registered electrician would need to issue a supplementary certificate for the alterations, extensions or maintenance undertaken by them.

If a change of ownership takes place, the certificate of compliance may not be older than 2 years.

2. Water COC: The certification is valid for 6 months from the date of issue, or until any changes are made to the installation, and is renewable if the property is transferred to another party as per the City of Cape Town.

3. Gas COC: A Gas Certificate of Conformity is valid for as long as there is no alteration done to the installation or change of ownership of the property, as per clause 17(3) of the Pressure Equipment Regulations. However, annual maintenance on your gas installation is highly recommended by LPGSA  to maintain safety standards. 

4. Wood Destroying Organisms/Insects (WDO/Beetle) certificate: Valid for three months from the date it was issued. It is recommended to do a beetle inspection on an annual basis, to detect any wood-destroying insects on your property and avoid damage to your property, or additional costs involved in treating and eradicating wood-destroying insects.

5. Electric Fence System COC (EFCOC): Valid indefinitely as long as there haven’t been any major alterations or modifications to the installation. The EFCs can be transferred from a seller to the buyer – but only if no changes have been made to the system after the certificate was issued by a registered Electric Fence systems Installer. The original certificate must be given to the buyer on transfer of the property and the new owner must be made aware of his/her legal obligations.

At Bugs & Sparks, we are always open to providing our clients with guidance on when recertification is required and work closely with clients to ensure compliance is maintained.

CONTACT US

A: No, Our company cannot issue COCs based on the work of others as the certificate also serves as a guarantee on materials and workmanship. The person who completed the necessary remedial work must issue the relevant compliance certificate if they are qualified and registered to do so. We cannot take responsibility for someone else’s work, as it could affect our ability to make an insurance claim if something goes wrong unexpectedly.

Our company is qualified and experienced to conduct inspections and issue certificates of compliance for a wide range of property installations, including electrical, plumbing, gas, electric fence and beetle (Wood destroying organisms/insects) inspections. However, we can only issue a certificate of compliance for work that meets the relevant safety and compliance standards and regulations.

Please note the inspection fee is a consultation fee, and not a certificate fee (although Bugs & Sparks does not charge an additional fee for the COC). The fees, therefore, remain payable irrespective of who ultimately issues the certificate.

A: No, we cannot issue certificates of compliance where the necessary installations are not up to the relevant SANS regulations.

If a contractor or tradesman issues a Certificate of Compliance (COC) where the installation in the property is not up to code, it can have serious consequences. The COC is a legal document that verifies that the property meets the required safety standards and regulations and is often required for property transfers, rentals, and insurance purposes. If the installation is deemed non-compliant after the COC is issued, it could result in legal liabilities and financial penalties for the contractor or tradesman.

Additionally, if a safety hazard or malfunction occurs due to the non-compliant installation, it could result in property damage, personal injury, or even loss of life. This could lead to legal action against the contractor or tradesman.

Therefore, contractors and tradesmen must conduct thorough inspections and ensure that all installations meet the relevant safety standards and regulations before issuing a COC.

A: The water pipes need to be bonded as part of the electrical grounding system required for compliance with electrical codes and regulations. Bonding the water pipes helps to prevent electric shocks and protect against electrical hazards, and is therefore a key component of electrical safety in buildings. The electrical certificate of compliance is a document that verifies that the electrical work in a building meets the requirements of relevant codes and regulations, including the proper bonding of water pipes.

A: Bugs & Sparks is committed to providing accurate and comprehensive compliance inspections and remedial services to ensure that each property meets the relevant safety standards and regulations. Our inspections are based on a thorough analysis of a property and its installations, and our recommendations are in line with the applicable regulations and industry best practices.

If you have specific concerns or questions about the items listed on our remedial quote, we can provide detailed explanations and justifications for each item, including any relevant regulations or standards that apply. For the sake of transparency, we provide clients with a clear breakdown of the costs associated with each item on our quotes, so that they can understand how the total cost was calculated.

A: There are a few different reasons why repairs are included on a new remedial quote that were not on a previous COC quote;

1. It may be that the repairs were not identified during the previous inspection
2. The compliance repairs may have become necessary due to wear and tear
3. Changes (renovations, upgrades, etc.) have been done to the property since the previous inspections and subsequent COCs were issued.

It is important to understand that compliance inspections and remedial services are designed to identify any issues or hazards that may compromise the safety and functionality of a property. These issues may not have been present or noticeable during the previous inspection, but they may have developed or become apparent since then.

Furthermore, it is important to note that compliance regulations and standards can change over time, and what was compliant during the previous inspection may no longer be compliant under current regulations or standards. This means that remedial services may be necessary to bring the property up to current compliance standards.

Therefore, we will ensure that our team conducts a thorough inspection and only recommends remedial services that are necessary to ensure that the property meets the relevant safety and compliance standards. We will also provide the client with a detailed breakdown of the items on the remedial quote, including any relevant regulations or standards that apply, and will be available to answer any further questions or concerns that they may have.