For a major residential development to proceed, two permits are normally required from the local council: a planning permit; and a building permit. The former gives permission for the type of development planned to go ahead, based on factors such as land use, the effect on neighbouring properties, traffic management and related variables.
In contrast, a building permit confirms that the design and specification for the construction are in line with relevant building legislation. Two key pieces of legislation determine what the building permit gives approval for: the Building Act 1993; and Building Regulations 2018.
Both permits play an essential role in the development process.
What does a building permit cover?
A building permit is granted once the building plans have been approved by a suitably qualified building surveyor. The building surveyor checks that the plans, specifications, drawings and related documentation comply with relevant building regulations. It is vital that the subsequent construction follows the plans exactly, to ensure regulatory compliance. As part of the pre-approval assessment, the surveyor will:
- Check the credentials of the proposed contractor to ensure they are registered and have the correct insurances in place.
- Ensure that all the necessary documentation is in place to clarify exactly how the building is going to be built.
The building permit requires that:
- The development is independently inspected by a suitably qualified individual at various stages in its construction.
- The surveyor (or another suitably qualified representative from the council) will check the building post-completion to ensure that it is suitable for occupancy. For residential developments, an Occupancy Permit (or Certificate of Final Inspection) will be required (normally issued after the occupancy inspection), before residents can start to move in.
What is the building permit application process?
A property owner can’t submit a building permit application directly, they need to appoint a building surveyor to do the job on their behalf. The building surveyor will need to make sure that all the relevant drawings, plans and specifications are submitted to the council in triplicate, along with the application form and the relevant fee.
What is the cost of building permit Victoria projects require?
The building permits Melbourne (or other Victorian) residents need cost a fee that varies depending on the value of the development project. Projects costing under $10,000 don’t incur a fee, but all larger developments do.
The levy is calculated depending on: total value of the development; value of the stage that’s covered by the building permit; building class and municipal/council area where the development is located.
Why Us?
The Advantages of using Costas Construction when applying for a Building Permit
- Complete project management solution: from creating compliant building plans through to using our private surveyor to submit a strong building permit application that’s likely to get fast approval, our team can complete all the necessary work related to obtaining a building permit.
- Timely commencement and completion of your building project. Once a building permit is issued, the building work needs to be completed within a specified time frame (6, 12 or 24 months, depending on the type of project). Costas Construction has a track record for delivering projects up to 40% faster than the industry average. When you use us, you can be confident the work will be done within the specified development period.
- Optimise your profit: our streamlined, highly successful building permit application process is just one example of the professionalism we apply to every aspect of your project. If you want a cost-effective development that’s constructed impeccably, on time and within budget, get in touch.
Call (03) 9887 8244 for further information.