What is a Building Approval in QLD?

In Queensland, building approval is an essential step in ensuring that construction projects in Queensland are safe, legal, and compliant with relevant building codes and standards. It is a legal document issued by a building certifier or local council that confirms that a proposed building or renovation project complies with relevant building codes and regulations. It is important to engage the services of a qualified and experienced building certifier or local council to ensure that your project meets all relevant requirements and regulations.

Asset Economics has a team of qualified building certifiers who can conduct your assessment and approval. Our team will also prepare approval applications and liaise with your local government authorities, referral agencies, fire engineers, and trade contractors where required. This makes the process much more simplified and takes the stress out of the building approval process. Asset Economics offers a full certification service for all classes of buildings including Class 1 & 10 residential, Class 2 to 9 commercial, and Budget Accommodation Buildings.

Building approval is required before any construction work can commence, including demolition, renovation, or new construction. It is a critical step in the process of obtaining a building permit and ensuring that a project is safe, legal, and compliant with relevant building standards.

To obtain building approval, the proposed project must be reviewed and assessed by a building certifier or local council. This review will consider a range of factors, including building plans and specifications, compliance with relevant building codes and standards, and other factors such as environmental impact.

Once the proposed project has been assessed and approved, the building certifier or local council will issue a building approval, which must be displayed on the construction site and be available for inspection by relevant authorities. The building approval will also specify any conditions or requirements that must be met during construction to ensure compliance with building codes and regulations.

building approval search qld

Who needs building approval in QLD?

Anyone who wishes to undertake building work in Queensland, regardless of whether they are a property owner, builder, contractor, or developer, is required to obtain building approval before commencing any work.

Property Owners: Property owners who wish to undertake any building work, including renovations, extensions, or new constructions, are required to obtain building approval.

Builders and Contractors: Builders and contractors who undertake building work on behalf of property owners must ensure that building approval has been obtained before commencing any work.

Developers: Developers who wish to undertake large-scale building projects, such as commercial or residential developments, are required to obtain building approval.

Government Agencies: Government agencies that undertake building work, such as the construction of public buildings or infrastructure, are also required to obtain building approval.

If you do build without council approvals, the council will request you demolish/remove the structure. They may also fine you & the builder! It is important to engage the services of a qualified and experienced building certifier or local council to ensure that your project meets all relevant requirements and regulations. Asset Economics has rich experiences to help you conduct assessment and approval.

Asset Economics building approval case

Building approval case 1

A client was staging a development for the construction of 155 retirement units, and pending legislation proposed changes to the energy efficiency regulations.

While keeping on top of the progress of the proposed changes, it became evident that the legislation would come into force, and would have a detrimental impact on our client’s remaining 115 units yet to be certified.

Our advice was to have the remaining 115 units certified as a whole and then propose staged construction. This effectively saved our client $1,500 per unit, a total of over $170,000.

Building approval case 2

A client who owned a budget accommodation building was audited by the Queensland Fire & Rescue Service and it was found that the building did not meet the legislative requirements for compliance.

The client was faced with the options of either closing down the accommodation section or outlaying over $100,000 to bring the building into compliance. Our organisation prepared an alternative solution for the non-compliances that ended up costing the client just $20,000.

Not only was this a considerable saving, but he could also still operate the accommodation side of his business.

Need a building certifier? Get in contact.

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