Resources
Plain-English guides on Surveyor General diagrams, cadastral surveys, erf boundaries, and how to read your property's SG diagram.
What Is a Surveyor General (SG) Diagram?
A Surveyor General (SG) diagram is the official survey of a property: its exact boundaries, corner beacons, dimensions and total extent. Here is what it is, what it shows, and how it differs from your title deed.
18 June 2026
explainedSG Diagram vs Title Deed: What's the Difference?
People often ask for an "SG diagram" when they mean a title deed, or the other way around. They are two different documents. Here is the difference — and how to get whichever one you need.
18 June 2026
guidesHow to Get a Copy of an SG Diagram in South Africa
A practical, step-by-step guide to getting an SG diagram copy for any South African property — no SG number needed. Search for free, then download the survey PDFs.
18 June 2026
guidesHow to Find Your Erf's SG Diagram by Erf Number
A practical guide to locating your property's Surveyor General diagram using the erf number, town and portion, or simply by searching the address on a map.
18 June 2026
explainedHow to Read an SG Diagram: Beacons, Dimensions & Boundaries
An SG diagram is the survey of your property, but it is dense with surveyor shorthand. Here is how to make sense of the beacons, dimensions, boundaries and servitudes on it.
18 June 2026
explainedWhat Is the SG Number (SG Code) on a Property?
The SG number (or SG code) is the Surveyor General's reference for a property's survey diagram. Here's what it means, where to find it, and why you don't need it to search SGCheck.
18 June 2026
explainedGeneral Plan vs SG Diagram: What's the Difference?
A general plan surveys a whole township of many erven at once, while an SG diagram covers a single property. Here is when each applies and what it means for what you download.
18 June 2026
guidesDo I Need an SG Diagram to Build, Subdivide or Sell?
Building, subdividing or selling? Here is a plain-English guide to when you actually need an SG diagram in South Africa, and when the existing survey already covers you.
18 June 2026
explainedProperty Boundaries & Beacons: What the SG Diagram Shows
Survey beacons mark the legal corners of your property, and the SG diagram is the document that defines them. Here is how it settles boundary and fence-line questions.
18 June 2026