Permission to build.
WHAT IS TYPICALLY REQUIRED
Building plan approval from the relevant authority Compliance with development control regulations Sometimes environmental approvals Inspections during construction
WHY IT MATTERS
Building without approval risks demolition, penalties and inability to sell.
WHAT APPROVAL TYPICALLY REQUIRES
Title documentation for the land Drawings prepared by qualified professionals Structural design and calculations Payment of fees Assessment
WHY QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS
Approval requires designs certified by registered practitioners.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH BEFORE DESIGNING
What the development control rules permit: coverage, height, setbacks, use.
WHY BEFORE
A design that cannot be approved wastes the fees and the time.
WHAT TO PLAN FOR
The approval period, which is substantial.
WHAT INSPECTIONS TYPICALLY OCCUR
At defined stages during construction.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
When they occur and what they examine.
WHY
Proceeding past a stage without inspection can require opening work.
WHAT TO KEEP
The approved drawings and the approval itself.
WHY
They are required at sale and if anything is questioned.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT CHANGES DURING CONSTRUCTION
Establish whether they require re-approval.
WHAT TO ADVISE CLIENTS
That approval is their obligation, unless agreed otherwise.
WHAT TO PUT IN THE CONTRACT
Who obtains approvals, and what happens if they are not obtained.
WHY
Contractors are otherwise blamed for a delay they did not cause.
