Overview of the Register of Contractors
Overview of the Register of Contractors
For contractors who wish to work in the public sector, the Register of Contractors helps clients in infrastructure procurements and grades contractors from 1-9.
Purpose of the Register of Contractors
Applying to all contractors who wish to complete work in the public sector, the Register of Contractors (RoC) supports clients in infrastructure procurement, and categorises and grades contractors from 1-9, according to financial and works capability.
The Construction Industry Development (CID) Regulations of 2004, as amended, bind public sector clients to only award construction contracts to cidb registered contractors.
Who must register
Any contractor can register on our cidb Register of Contractors.
Please review the below for further details:
- Subcontractors do not yet need to register.
- Joint ventures (JV) do not need to register. All JV partners must however be individually registered. The combined grading can be determined using the cidb Joint Venture Calculator.
- Home builders are regulated by the National Home Building Council (NHBRC). They are exempted from the cidb Register of Contractors.
- Labour only contractors are exempted from the cidb Register of Contractors.
How to Apply
About the cidb grading system
The Register of Contractors has 9 grading levels. Nine is the highest. There are no qualifying criteria for grade 1, however, contractors need to meet financial and track record criteria for grades 2 to 9.
A grade is represented by one digit and two letters. These reflect the maximum level at which the contractor is permitted to execute projects and the class of works they are certified capable of executing projects in. An example is Grade 4GB. A contractor may also be classified as emerging on request, in which case their grade will be represented by one digit and four letters, e.g 4GBPE.
A grading level carries a maximum tender value limit beyond which public sector clients may not award a contractor construction projects. Exception to this rule is where a contractor is categorised as potentially emerging (PE). PE contractors may be awarded construction projects one level above their grading level, provided that the client has a development project in place and will be providing the contractor with support to ensure that they succeed.
cidb registered companies are each assigned a unique identify known as the CRS number. A contractor only gets assigned one CRS number, regardless of the number of gradings they may be registered in on the cidb Register of Contractors.
Period of validity of registration
A cidb grade is valid for three years, which expires on the anniversary of registration. After three years the contractor must apply to the cidb for renewal. After six years the contractor must prove that they still meet the qualifying criteria to remain in the grade by submitting new supporting documentation. The cidb has however, temporarily relaxed the requirements for 3-year renewal to help contractors maintain their grades in the current economic crisis.
A contractor may apply for an upgrade on their existing grade, anytime they believe their circumstances have changed to the extent that they qualify for a higher grade.
During the three-year validity period, a grade must be updated annually, and the contractor must pay the applicable annual fee. A grade that has not been updated for two consecutive years gets suspended on the cidb register. Annual updates do not apply to Grade 1 contractors.
It is important for contractors to notify the cidb of any changes in their contact details or company particulars. The cidb mails reminders to contractors for annual updates as well as three-year renewals.
Tender value ranges
A grading level determines the maximum tender value limit for the contractor. Clients may not award the contractor a contract of value beyond this limit, unless the award is made in terms of the PE status and the applicable conditions are observed.
The following are tender value limits associated with each grading level:
GRADE
Tender value range (less than or equal to)
2
R1 000 000
3
R3 000 000
4
R6 000 000
5
R10 000 000
6
R20 000 000
7
R60 000 000
8
R200 000 000
9
No limit
Tender value limits are reviewed periodically to stay in line with inflation and economic conditions.
Classes of works
Grading categorises contractors into classes of works or areas of experience and track record. Abbreviations of these classifications are reflected in the two letters representing each grade. The cidb uses the following classes of works to categorise contractor’s area of experience and track record:
CODE
CLASSES OF WORKS
GB
General Building
CE
Civil Engineering
EB
Electrical Engineering Works – Building
EP
Electrical Engineering Works – Infrastructure
ME
Mechanical Engineering
SB
Asphalt works (supply and lay)
SC
Building excavations, shaft sinking, lateral earth support
SD
Corrosion protection (cathodic, anodic, and electrolytic)
SE
Demolition and blasting
SF
Fire prevention and protection systems
SG
Glazing, curtain walls and shop fronts
SH
Landscaping, irrigation and horticulture works
SI
Lifts, escalators and travellators (installation, commissioning and maintenance)
SJ
Piling and specialised foundations for buildings and structures
SK
Road markings and signage
SL
Structural steelwork fabrication and erection
SM
Timber buildings and structures
SN
Waterproofing of basements, roofs and walls using specialist systems
SO
Water supply and drainage for buildings (wet services, plumbing)
SQ
Steel security fencing or precast concrete
Where to register
For grade 1 register online via the cidb website portal www.cidb.org.za. It takes 48 working hours to process an application and activate a Grade 1 on the system.
For Grade 2 to 9 please visit your nearest cidb Provincial Office to apply for registration. Grade 2 to 9 applications must be accompanied by the relevant supporting documents. The maximum period for processing Grade 2 – 9 applications is 21 working days. Follow-up the status of your application by dialling our call centre 0861 100 2432.
For your convenience send an email to your nearest cidb Provincial Office to apply for annual update, change of company particulars and 3-year renewal.
Registration fees
The cidb may review registration fees from time to time.
Grade
Admin Fee
Annual fee
1
R450
R0
2
R450
R250
3
R750
R350
4
R750
R900
5
R750
R1750
6
R750
R3500
7
R750
R9000
8
R750
R29000
9
R750
R55000
The cidb may review registration fees from time to time.
Verification of a contractor’s grading and registration status
Gradings of contractors who are actively registered on the Register of Contractors are listed on the cidb website www.cidb.org.za. Contractors that are not visible on the cidb website are either suspended, lapsed or not yet registered.
The cidb does not issue registration certificates. Clients may only verify the contractor’s grading and status of registration online.
Beware of fraud
Beware the so called ‘cidb agents’. The cidb does not endorse or employ agents to help contractors complete or submit applications for registration. These are independent operators soliciting business for profit.
Take advantage of our free services at all nine cidb provincial offices. We assist contractors to understand requirements for grading as well as supporting documentation needed.
Be alert. Avoid unscrupulous agents with false promises. If it is too good to be true it probably is! Integrity goes a long way. As a contractor you remain accountable for all information submitted to the cidb in your company name, in terms of Regulation 30 of the Construction Industry Development (CID) Regulations of 2004.
