Planning a Lapa or Braai Area on a Budget
A power cut should not stop your day. A small power station can keep your phone, router and lights running for hours, and it is quiet and safe to use indoors. Work out what you need to run before you choose one.
Add up the watts of the items you want to power. A 300W power station suits lights, a laptop and a router, while heavier tools need more capacity. Charge it fully before the scheduled outage, and keep it in a cool, dry place so it is ready when the lights go off.
Site preparation
Clear the area of rocks, roots and weeds before you build anything outside. Level the ground with a rake and compact it firmly with a hand tamper. Good drainage matters, because standing water after a summer storm will damage a slab or paving. Set pegs and string lines so your edges stay straight, then check the corners with a builder's square before you mix any cement.
Materials list
Make a list of everything you need before you start, and add ten percent extra for cuts and mistakes. Bricks, cement, river sand and timber are cheaper when you buy in one order. Treated poles work well for a lapa frame, and corrugated sheets or thatch finish the roof. Ask our team to check your list, and we will help you spot anything you missed.
Final touches
When the main structure is done, it is time to finish properly. Sand rough edges, seal the timber and give any metal a coat of primer. Look at weatherproof paint for outdoor wood, since the sun in Polokwane can crack bare timber within a season. Add simple lighting and a few seats, and your braai area is ready for the first fire with friends and family.
Weekend Projects
Before you drill, find out what is behind the wall. Brick needs a masonry bit and a plug, while drywall needs an anchor rated for the weight. Mark your level line first, then check for pipes and cables with a detector. For heavy shelves, ask us about wall plugs and fixings that suit your wall. A little care now stops cracks and crooked frames later, and our staff in Polokwane are happy to help.
Load shedding should not stop your weekend. A small inverter, a deep cycle battery or a portable power station can keep lights, a router and a fridge running through the evening. Work out your total watts first, then add a margin. Our team can size a backup system with you and show you what fits your budget. Fit surge protection on sensitive electronics, and keep a torch and spare batteries near the door. For anything permanent, ask us about electrical supplies and use a registered electrician for the final connection.
