Updated on 17/07/2025
Welcome to Douglas Architectural Drafting! Please carefully read these Terms and Conditions before using our website and purchasing our building plans.
By accessing or using our website, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions unconditionally. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you must not use our website.
1. Acceptance of Terms
1.1. Agreement to Terms: By using the Douglas Architectural Drafting website in any way, you are deemed to have accepted these Terms and Conditions unconditionally.
1.2. Eligibility: You must be 18 years of age or older to use this website. If you are under 18, you may only use the website with the consent and involvement of your parent or legal guardian.
2. Use of the Website
2.1. Permitted Use: You agree that you will not use any device, software, or other instrument to interfere or attempt to interfere with the proper functioning of this website.
2.2. Prohibited Actions: You agree not to use any robot, spider, or other automatic device or manual process to monitor, copy, distribute, or modify the website or the information contained herein without the prior written consent from an authorized Douglas Architectural Drafting representative. Standard search engine technology employed by internet search websites to direct users to this website is an exception.
2.3. Content Restrictions: You may not use the website to distribute material that is defamatory, offensive, contains or amounts to hate speech, or is otherwise unlawful.
2.4. Commercial Use: You may not display, publish, copy, print, post, or otherwise use the website and/or the information contained therein for the benefit of any other website without the express prior written consent of an authorized Douglas Architectural Drafting representative.
3. Ownership and Copyright
3.1. Intellectual Property: The contents of this website, including any information, software, icons, text, graphics, layouts, images, sound clips, trade names, logos, trademarks, and service marks, are protected by law, including, but not limited to, copyright and trademark law, and are owned by or licensed to Douglas Architectural Drafting.
3.2. No License Granted: No license to or right in any of such contents is granted to or conferred upon you. Any unauthorized use, distribution, or reproduction of the said contents is strictly prohibited.
3.3. House Plan Copyright: The house designs presented on our website are protected under the Copyright law of South Africa and may not be copied or reproduced in any way or form, using any means.
3.4. Single-Use License: We grant authorization for the use of the chosen design solely for the construction of a single-family home on a single plot. If you wish to use the purchased design on another plot or for multiple dwellings, you must purchase additional sets of plans from Douglas Architectural Drafting website for each intended use.
4. Disclaimer
4.1. General Information: It is essential to carefully review all the information and advice provided on our website before making a purchase. The information presented on this website serves as a general guideline and does not intend to provide comprehensive advice or documentation. We highly recommend seeking professional advice for specific matters related to your project.
4.2. No Liability: Douglas Architectural Drafting, its employees, and Associates explicitly disclaim any liability for the consequences of actions taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon the contents of this website or the building plans purchased from Douglas Architectural Drafting.
4.3. No Warranty for Plans: The Douglas Architectural Drafting team and Associates have dedicated significant effort and care to the design, documentation, and layouts of our house plans. However, due to our inability to provide on-site supervision, consultation, and control over the construction process, as well as the various variances in local building requirements, practices, soil conditions, seismic activities, weather conditions, or any other factors, we cannot offer any warranty or take responsibility, whether express or implied, regarding the content or use of our plans, documentation, or services. This includes, but is not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
4.4. Variances: Please note that slight variances may occur between the information and plans presented on the website and the actual building plans you receive. These variances may include, but are not limited to, floor areas, dimensions, building costs, and construction methods.
4.5. Website Accuracy: While Douglas Architectural Drafting takes reasonable measures to ensure that the contents of this website are accurate and complete, we make no representations or warranties, whether express or implied, as to the quality, timeliness, operation, integrity, availability, or functionality of this website, or as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information on this website. All information is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind, as may be allowed in law. Douglas Architectural Drafting does not accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions on this website.
4.6. Virus and Malware Disclaimer: Douglas Architectural Drafting makes no warranty or representation, whether express or implied, that the information or files available on this website are free of viruses, spyware, malware, trojans, destructive materials, or any other data or code which is able to corrupt, destroy, compromise, or jeopardize the operation, stability, security, functionality, or content of your computer system, computer network, hardware, or software in any way.
5. Linked Third-Party Websites
5.1. Third-Party Links: This website may contain links or references to other websites (“Third-Party Websites”) outside of our control, including those of advertisers. These Terms and Conditions do not apply to those Third-Party Websites, and Douglas Architectural Drafting is not responsible for the practices and/or privacy policies of those Third-Party Websites or the cookies that those sites may use.
5.2. User Responsibility: Notwithstanding the fact that this website may refer to or provide links to Third-Party Websites, your use of such Third-Party Websites is entirely at your own risk, and we are not responsible for any loss, expense, claim, or damage, whether direct, indirect, or consequential, arising from your use of such Third-Party Websites or your reliance on any information contained therein.
6. Limitation of Liability
6.1. Exclusion of Damages: Douglas Architectural Drafting, shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential injury, loss, or damages which might arise from your use of, or reliance upon, any material or content contained in, or inability to use, and/or unlawful activity on, the website and/or any linked Third-Party Website.
6.2. Indemnification: You hereby indemnify Douglas Architectural Drafting against any loss, claim, or damage which may be suffered by yourself or any third party arising in any way from your use of this website and/or any linked Third-Party Website.
7. Responsibilities of the Homeowner
7.1. Site-Specific Plans: Unless the buyer has chosen to appoint Douglas Architectural Drafting to complete the site and drainage plans for their specific plot, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to complete the site plan and drainage layout on the building plans for their particular site.
7.2. Approvals and Fees: The homeowner is responsible for submitting and obtaining approval from the local authority, and paying all applicable fees to the local authority, the NHBRC, and any other relevant entities. All fees payable, including but not limited to those charged by the local authority and the NHBRC, are the responsibility of the homeowner.
7.3. Local Professional Appointments: The SANS 10400 Building Regulations now require not only a registered architect to certify the building plans for approval at any local authority but also to regularly inspect the construction work during the building process and at completion, certifying compliance with SANS 10400. Douglas Architectural Drafting can supply and certify the building plans for approval but does not offer the service of certifying compliance with the building work. The homeowner must appoint a local SACAP registered professional at their own expense for this purpose. Douglas Architectural Drafting can provide a list of professionals in the area where the house will be built for the homeowner to contact regarding this matter.
7.4. Engineer’s Form: If an engineer’s form is required for submission to the local authority, a local engineer must be appointed by the homeowner to fulfill this duty.
8. For Plan Orders Outside South Africa
8.1. Compliance Disclaimer: Douglas Architectural Drafting building plans comply with the South African National Building Regulations. However, we do not provide any warranty regarding compliance with the building regulations, codes, and conditions of any country outside South Africa, nor guarantee approval by any foreign local authority.
9. SANS 10400 Building Regulations
9.1. Cavity Walls: Building plans do not account for or indicate cavity walls, which are required for coastal areas, especially in the West and Southern Cape. Homeowners in these areas should be aware of this and consult with local professionals.
9.2. Competent Person Inspections (Regulation 1(g)): Regulation 1(g) mandates a competent person to inspect the building work periodically and issue a completion certificate. The application of this regulation may vary among different local authorities, and it is unclear if it will be strictly enforced for single dwelling construction projects. If required by the Local Authority, SACAP registered professionals from the Douglas Architectural Drafting network can be appointed to provide this service. The cost for the service would be agreed upon directly with the professional.
9.3. Local Authority Consultation: It is strongly advised to contact your local authority and discuss the plan approval and construction processes before ordering a plan from Douglas Architectural Drafting.
10. Changes to These Terms and Conditions
10.1. Amendments: Douglas Architectural Drafting reserves the right to update and/or amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time without any notice. You are accordingly encouraged to check the website regularly for any changes.
10.2. Acceptance of Changes: Any such change will only apply to your use of this website after the change is displayed on this website. If you use this website after such updated or amended Terms and Conditions have been displayed, you will be deemed to have accepted such updates or amendments.
11. Availability and Termination
11.1. Website Availability: We will use reasonable endeavors to maintain the availability of the website, except during scheduled maintenance periods. We reserve the right to discontinue providing the website or any part thereof with or without notice to you.
11.2. Termination: Douglas Architectural Drafting may, in its sole discretion, terminate, suspend, and modify this website, with or without notice to you. You agree that Douglas Architectural Drafting will not be liable to you in the event that it chooses to suspend, modify, or terminate this website.
12. Governing Law
12.1. Jurisdiction: These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Your continued use of the website will constitute your consent and submission to the jurisdiction of the South African courts regarding all proceedings, transactions, applications, or the like instituted by either party against the other, arising from any of these Terms and Conditions.
