Despite a considerable drop in the value of building plans passed during May 2008, the value of recorded building plans passed by larger municipalities (at current prices) during January to May 2008 rose by 3,3% (R1 061,8 million) compared with January to May 2007. The largest increase was reported for non-residential buildings (33,1% or     R1 986,9 million), mainly due to more plans passed for shopping space (103,7% or R1 538,7 million) and office and banking space (28,5% or R438,1 million). The largest increase for shopping space was recorded for Gauteng (R654,6 million), followed by KwaZulu-Natal (R373,0 million), Mpumalanga (R293,2 million) and Eastern Cape (R210,8 million).

The preliminary estimates indicate that the value of buildings reported as completed to larger municipalities (at current prices) during the above-mentioned period increased by 2,2% (R392,7 million). Increases in the value of buildings completed were reported for additions and alterations (24,6% or R742,2 million) and non-residential buildings (5,9% or R204,5 million). A decrease of 5,0% (-R554,0 million) was reported for non-residential buildings.