To arrange a critical stage inspection you can Book an Inspection using our online form, call us on 1300 457 400 or email us at info@buildcert.com.au. We recommend you liaise with your builder to ensure the works to be inspected are complete prior to contacting the office to book the inspection. Our accredited certifiers will provide a written report following each inspection to confirm the compliance or the requirements to achieve compliance.
Yes. The Environmental Panning & Assessment Regulation (EP&A Reg) sets out the number of mandatory inspections for all types of buildings. The Principal Certifier (PC) must advise the owner on what inspections are required to be carried out by the PC. Where an inspection by a third party, such as an engineer, is required, the PC will request written confirmation in the form of a report or certificate to verify that the inspection was carried out, and that work satisfies any applicable standards.
Contact our office by phoning 1300 457 400 or you can Request a Quote for a free competitive service proposal. For Construction Certification we will require a copy of the proposed Architectural Plans and a copy of the Development Consent. For a Complying Development Certification, we will require a copy of the proposed Architectural Plans and a copy of the Council Section 149(2) Planning Certificate of the property. If you are happy to proceed with our quote please view our Application Forms to download the relevant application form and a checklist of the documentation we require for lodgement.
Once development consent is granted, a Construction Certificate is required to be obtained prior to the commencement of building works. Buildcert can issue a Construction Certificate after plans and specifications of the proposed works have been assessed to comply with Building Code of Australia and conditions of the development consent have been satisfied.
Council will normally advise in writing if they are not completely satisfied with what is being proposed. This gives Buildcert and the client a chance to either make changes to the proposal or talk to the Assessing Officer about how to make the proposal work. If Buildcert feels that the amendments being requested are not consistent with Council’s planning controls, we will negotiate this with the Assessing Officer.
No. Buildcert cannot guarantee that Council will issue a Development Consent once an application is lodged. Prior to an application being lodged with Council, and based on our experience and knowledge of Council and their individual planning controls, we will discuss with you if we feel that the proposal is outside of Council’s requirements. We can discuss the different options with you.
Where a Development Application (DA) is required, the usual steps in the process are: Buildcert can assist in undertaking appropriate site analysis and assessments to understand any site constraints, such as flooding, bushfire risk or soil/slope constraints for example. Completion of appropriate plans/drawings for your development proposal to accommodate site constraints, as best as practical, is the next step in the process. Once plans are complete, Buildcert organises the appropriate review and endorsement from government authorities, such as the Water Authority, which is usually required prior to the lodgement of your DA. At the same time your plans are being endorsed by other authorities, Buildcert prepares the application in readiness for lodging with Council. This would normally include preparation of a Statement of Environmental Effects (SoEE) to support your development, which addresses the potential impacts your development may have on the environment and surrounding neighbours. Buildcert will regularly communicate with Council to track the progress of the application, in an effort to ensure Council has sufficient information to allow a timely assessment. Buildcert will update clients regularly throughout this process. Should Council require any additional information throughout the assessment process, Buildcert will liaise with you [...]
A Complying Development Certificate is a combined planning and construction approval available for clients who want to build a commercial/industrial development, new single or two storey home, renovate your existing home, add a granny flat, garage or a swimming pool. The Complying Development approval is fast tracked approval which does not require a development application at your local council. The Complying Development approval is issued from our office when the proposed development meets the NSW Government’s Housing Code criteria and complies with the Building Code of Australia. If you require further information, please visit State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Codes) 2008.
If building work is to be carried out as complying development, no building work is to commence until a Complying Development Certificate has been issued and a Principal Certifier (PC) has been appointed. Council must be given at least two days' notice of the commencement of the building work, which will be completed by Buildcert on your behalf. Council does not require any notification when “exempt” work is carried out. Where development consent (Council DA) is required for building work, no work can commence until Council has granted consent, a construction certificate has been issued and a Principal Certifier (PC) has been appointed. Council must be given at least two days' notice of the commencement of the building work, which will be completed by Buildcert on your behalf. Buildcert can approve Complying Development Certificates, Construction Certificates and provide Principal Certifier (PC) services for your development.
In some instances a development, such as a subdivision or change of use, may not require any physical building works to be carried out, but it may require an approval. Such development may not need a Development Approval from Council, but could possibly be approved as Complying Development. Buildcert can help to determine the type of approval required, and can assist with the lodgement process.
