Details
Last Updated: Thursday, 14 November 2024 14:49

Before you build a new house, carry out extensions or renovations, you will need to find out some key information about the property. Zoning, overlays and lot size is used to determine if your project will need a development application/approval, in addition to standard building and plumbing approvals.

Thanks to reality television, people can be forgiven for thinking home renovation is a simple, quick and painless process. But the reality of home renovation can be hard work, sweat and tears and sometimes a long process. As exciting as the prospect of renovation can be, your experience and end result can be greatly enhanced by planning ahead, seeking professional advice and knowing potential problems before they surface.

 

+ - Renovation process Click to collapse

When proposing to build any structure or make alterations to any structure including internal renovations, it is recommended that advice be sought as to whether or not a building application will be required. While there are some exceptions, it is important to obtain the right advice before you commence any work to protect your investment. This advice is best provided by Council's building certification section, plumbing inspectors and technical advice team.

It is always a good idea to contact Council first to discuss requirements specific to your property. Generally, the following steps will then need to be undertaken:

  1. Get free advice from the heritage advisor (if in a heritage area). Refer to the 'Heritage and neighbourhood character' section (see 'Related information' below) of the website for more information.

  2. Secure the services of a builder, building designer or architect to design and draw your plans.

  3. Check plumbing, siting and Planning scheme requirements as additional approvals may be required, refer to our 'Key facts about your property' (see 'Related information' below) article for further information.

  4. Engage the services of a licensed builder to construct the work as well as a licensed plumber if necessary.

  5. From this point the builder can handle the appointment of other professionals to complete the design, certification and construction work leaving you to take no further active part in the process, or depending on the size and nature of the work, secure the services of a geotechnical engineer to perform a soil test and design your footings and slab.

  6. Depending on the size and nature of the work, secure the services of a structural engineer to design and certify structural components

  7. At this stage you can then engage a building certifier/private certifier and lodge the application to certify the work and make inspections during construction or you can lodge the application directly with Council and complete the following steps:
  • Refer to and follow the checklist instructions
  • Provide the checklist and site plan for council to check when you lodge the application
  • Pay relevant fee/s
  • Ensure that any plumbing and drainage alterations are completed by a licensed plumber with appropriate plumbing permits approved by Council. Note that inspections are to be completed by council plumbing inspectors.

Related information

Heritage and neighbourhood character article

Key facts about your property article

Requirements for geotechnical reports

+ - Partially or fully enclosing a covered area, verandah or deck Click to collapse

Whether partially or fully enclosing a covered area, verandah or deck, a building approval is required. A partially enclosed covered area, verandah or deck will be considered to be a non-habitable room and there are less stringent requirements for the building work. A fully enclosed covered area, verandah or deck will be considered a habitable room and there are increased requirements for the building work.

Issues that may need to be considered (but are not limited to):

  • Light and ventilation to rooms adjoining the covered area, verandah or deck
  • Ceiling height (habitable rooms require a minimum of 2.4 metres to the ceiling)
  • Energy efficiency (building fabric, lighting, glazing etc)
  • Termite barriers (physical or chemical)
  • Structural adequacy for the covered area, verandah or deck proposed to be enclosed
  • Adequacy of the existing footing/slab for habitable purposes
  • Damp-proofing (vapour barrier) for covered area (dependant on the existing method of construction of the verandah slab).

Before you enclose a covered area, verandah or deck, you should seek advice specific to your situation from Council's building certifiers

Related information

CL 015 Convert Attached Garage to Habitable Area Class Checklist

CL 019 Convert detached garage to habitable room checklist

+ - Adding an ensuite or bathroom Click to collapse

An ensuite or bathroom may require a plumbing approval if moving or adding water fixtures. Please contact Council's duty plumbing inspector or technical advice team before undertaking plumbing works to ascertain whether you will require a plumbing approval or are to lodge a required form for notifiable works.

Related information

Permits and commencing plumbing work



Other approvals  

The Planning Scheme defines three main residential uses - Dwelling House, Dual Occupancy and Multiple Dwelling.

Plumbing approval

All plumbing work in Queensland is regulated by state government legislative requirements and is categorised as:

  • Compliance Assessable Work
  • Notifiable work
  • Minor work
  • Unregulated work

Further information on plumbing approvals and how to obtain an approval can be found in this Plumbing Approval link.

Development applications and approvals

Most dwellings may be built in residential zones of the region without an additional development application/approval, subject to meeting some requirements of the Queensland Development Code (QDC) and planning scheme.

 

How to obtain a building approval

Depending on the size and nature of the work, a building development approval, also known as a building approval or permit may be required to undertake internal or external renovations or extensions to dwellings. This may include but is not limited to the addition of covered areas such as carports, shade sails, a patio roof, or repair / replacement of roofing, installing a deck. This is applicable if you are doing it yourself or employing the services of a licenced builder.

Building approvals can be obtained from either Council's Building Certification Service, Total Range Certification or a Private Building Certifier.

Please follow this link to carry out an Online Licence Search at the Queensland Building and Construction Commission website.  This lets you search for a: QBCC Licensee, Building Certifier, Owner Builder, Building and Construction Industry Payments Agency, and Industry Related Searches all from the one place.

Other information that is useful prior to commencing construction?

Building plans

Copies of approved building plans can be obtained by completing the 'Request for archived building plans' search on our current Property search form, but Council cannot guarantee that all plans are available for older properties.

Drainage plans

You may request a copy of your approved drainage plans by either:

The cost for a copy of drainage plans can be found in our fees and charges.

Dial before you dig

Before you carry out any ground works, you should telephone 1100 or visit www.1100.com.au to find out what services are underground.

Owners are responsible for any development on their property and should make enquiries with Council before starting any work.

 

Further assistance

For further information please phone Council’s Technical Advice Officers on 131 872 or visit your nearest Customer Service Centre.