The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) maintains a Register of Contractors for businesses that perform construction-related work in South Africa. If you want to tender for construction projects funded by government or public-sector organisations, you will generally need to be registered with the CIDB in the correct grade and class of works.
Your CIDB designation consists of a number and letters, for example 4GB. The number represents your contractor grading, while the letters indicate the type of construction work you are registered to perform.
CIDB Grades
CIDB contractors are graded from Grade 1 to Grade 9. The higher your grade, the larger the value of the government construction contracts you may tender for:
- Grade 1: up to R500,000
- Grade 2: up to R1 million
- Grade 3: up to R3 million
- Grade 4: up to R6 million
- Grade 5: up to R10 million
- Grade 6: up to R20 million
- Grade 7: up to R60 million
- Grade 8: up to R200 million
- Grade 9: no tender value limit
Grade 1 has no financial or previous construction track-record requirements. For higher grades, the CIDB considers factors such as your previous completed projects, turnover, available capital and financial capability.
CIDB Classes of Works
You must also be registered for the correct type of construction activity. Common CIDB classes include:
- GB – General Building
- CE – Civil Engineering
- EB – Electrical Engineering Works: Building
- EP – Electrical Engineering Works: Infrastructure
- ME – Mechanical Engineering
There are also specialist categories covering work such as asphalt, demolition and blasting, fire protection systems, glazing, landscaping, lifts and escalators, piling, road markings, structural steelwork, waterproofing, plumbing and fencing.
For example, a tender requiring CIDB 4GB or higher normally means the contractor must be registered for General Building at Grade 4 or above.
When do I need CIDB registration?
CIDB registration is particularly important when tendering for government construction and infrastructure contracts. Tender documents normally state the exact CIDB grading required, so always check the eligibility requirements before submitting your tender.
Contractors can register and manage their CIDB registration through the official CIDB eRoC online portal. It is also important to keep your registration active and apply for a higher grade as your business gains experience and financial capacity.