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SPECIAL OFFER – Best Sheds Approvals

25% Exclusive Discount Offer*

Your trusted Best Sheds certifier

The Buildcert team are experienced Best Sheds certifiers and are experts in helping you navigate through strict council planning requirements.

When you choose our services, you benefit from our attention to detail and personalised approach. We understand that each project is unique, and we take the time to assess your plans thoroughly. Our team will conduct a comprehensive review to ensure compliance with building codes and other essential criteria. By partnering with us, you can be confident that your project will meet all necessary standards.

To experience our fast affordable approvals and expert advice for your Best Sheds structure, simply follow the steps below.

Buildcert Best Sheds Offer

What we need to get started

  • 1
    Create Your Site Plan
    A site plan should identify the structure on your property and show setbacks to boundaries and existing structures. If you want to draw your own site plan you can download our Class 10a Site Plans example to use as a reference. If you don’t have time to draw a plan, you can visit Site Plans Online for assistance. View a Site Plan example.
  • 2

    Submit Your Documents
    Send us through your Site Plans and a member of our friendly and professional Buildcert team will supply you with a quote for your project within 24 hours.

  • 3

    Return the Engagement Agreement & Engineering
    If you are satisfied with your quote to engage our services, simply sign and send back the Engagement Agreement, along with a copy of the Form 15 & Engineers design provided to you by Best Sheds.

  • 4

    Make payment
    Once you have made payment, you can leave the rest to us.

INCLUSIONS
This offer applies to Best Sheds class 10 structures only. Includes the assessment of plans, property searches, building permit, a final inspection, and final certificate.

EXCLUSIONS
Special offer does not include additional structures, Council applications that may be required, or Council archiving fees.

Site Plan Example

Click on the image below to view a larger version of the site plan example.

Site Plans

Example of a Site Plan

Stage 1
Quote and Initial Review

Quote

You provide a site plan and our team will provide a quote for certification services.

Acceptance

Return signed engagement agreement, engineering, and make payment.

Stage 2
Approval

Assessment

Certifier will assess your project and documentation. An Information Request (IR) is issued to you within 3 to 5 business days if further information is required.

Lodgement

Lodgement of any additional council applications will be lodged if required or requested

Approval

Once you have provided all required information, your Decision Notice (Building Approval) will be issued

Stage 3
Construction and Inspection

Start Building

Congratulations! Please read your Approval carefully for any conditions.

Mandatory Inspections

Mandatory Inspections to be booked in during construction are listed on your Approval documentation.

Final Inspection and Final Certificate

When works are complete, book in a final inspection. A Final Certificate can be issued once deemed compliant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions from our customers relating to building approvals and building certification. If you can’t find an answer to your question, please call us on 07 3155 5800 and one of our friendly staff will be able to help.

Yes, you can, as long as it’s clear and accurately reflects your property. For assistance, you can refer to our guide on How to draw a Site Plan. Additionally, Queensland Globe provides aerial imagery, which can be printed to scale. The appropriate scale for a site plan varies, but common options include 1:200, 1:250, 1:500, and 1:1000 depending on the lot size.

In most cases, yes, you will need approval to build a new shed. Some minor works are considered ‘accepted development’ and don’t require approval. For example, a shed that has a plan area no larger than 10m², is no more than 2.4m high, has a mean height of no more than 2.1m, and no side longer than 5m is usually exempt.

In some instances, you can build a class 10a ‘Light Weight’ shed over or near a sewer line. There may be additional engineering requirements and/or a Build Over Sewer (BOS) application required to do so. However you do need to be 1m clear of the house connection point.

In some instances, you can build a class 10a ‘Light Weight’ shed over or near a stormwater line. There may be additional engineering or a Build Over Stormwater (BOSW) application required to do so.

This depends on the type of easement and the consent of the easement owner. Approval is contingent on securing the easement owner’s permission.

The answer to this depends on the property that the class 10a building is proposed to be located on and which boundary you want to build closer to.

It should be noted that there are two main components to building near a boundary: Setbacks and Fire Separation.

Fire separation is a legislative requirement under the National Construction Code Volume Two 2022. Generally, a class 10a structure requires 900mm separation from the side and/or rear boundary if it is attached to or less than 900mm from the house (measured from the facia). Open carports that have single skin steel or polycarbonate roofs are generally exempt from this requirement, however, may need 500mm from the side and/or rear boundary.

Compliance with required setbacks and fire separation requirements are essential for Buildcert to be able to issue a building approval.

Important Note: Obtaining Council approval for reduced setbacks does not override fire separation requirements.

This is a Council application when you propose to build a shed within the minimum required setback from a property boundary (e.g., front, side, or rear boundary). For instance, if you propose a shed 2m from the front boundary but the requirement is 6m, you would need Council approval for the 4m encroachment. Application names vary by Council—some common names include Concurrence Application, Siting Variation, and Referral Assessment.

It is possible that you will require more applications if you choose to proceed. All searches and a full assessment are required to be completed by the Buildcert’s Building Certifier to confirm if there are any additional applications.

Dependent upon availability and accuracy of information made available, Buildcert’s quote may indicate if a boundary relaxation is required, however other applications such as development approvals may be required and generally require a separate quote from our Town Planning Team.

In some cases, yes. For example, Brisbane City Council requires notification, and Moreton Bay Regional Council may require formal consent if your shed is within certain boundary setbacks. Other councils handle this on a case-by-case basis. But don’t worry, we will let you know exactly what is required prior to proceeding.

This depends on the location of the class 10a shed and the site it is proposed to be constructed. In most instances, Council is concerned with the height of the class 10a shed is within the required side and/or rear boundary setback.

It is best to try and keep the shed to a maximum wall height of 3.5m and an overall height of 4.5m.

A Development Application is a more detailed Council application, typically required due to land constraints such as town planning overlays. These applications are necessary when a proposal doesn’t comply with certain property restrictions.

No, you can complete the build as an owner-builder. However, if the building works exceed $11,000, you will need to obtain a QBCC Owner Builder Permit.

If you are engaging a licensed builder and the building works exceed $3,300, your builder will need to provide you with a copy of the QBCC Notice of Cover.

Absolutely! The process can be challenging, but Buildcert’s experienced team is here to guide you. We’ll work with you to gather the necessary information and find the most time- and cost-efficient solutions to help you secure approval.

Ready to get started?

Simply fill out the form below and attach all relevant documents. A member of the Buildcert team will get back to you within 24 hours with your quote.

  • Your Contact Details

  • Site Details (where works is proposed)

  • Drop files here or
    Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 22 MB, Max. files: 6.

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