Lots of people forget about the legalities and submitting the plans when they renovate or alter their home, why should you? It’s your home… But this is a HUGE mistake to make so don’t.
The first thing you need to plan when thinking about property alterations is the building legislation, after that you need to consider the impact the alterations will have on your neighbours. If you neglect this step, a building inspector can legally force you to stop all building and you will have to demolish all the alterations, at a huge cost.
Things to consider:
“Every well built house started in the form of a definite purpose plus a definite plan in the nature of a set of blueprints. “ - Napoleon Hill
ALL plans need to be approved.
All building plans, this includes internal structural changes and alterations that need to comply with fire regulations, need to be approved by your local council before work commences.
Have a chat with the neighbours
Your neighbour could lodge a complaint at the council and get your plans scrapped. If you take the time to chat to them before hand you could greatly reduce this risk.
When the work requires excavation of land or public services
If the building work requires land excavation, electricity supply, plumbing and drainage you will need to get in contact with your local authority to find out exactly what you need to do.
If you are planning to put in a pool, fireplace or a boundary fence, you need your plans approved.
The procedures
You submit your building plans to the council building plan examiners. They go through the plans to ensure that all regulations, laws and essential requirements have been met. you will need to submit the following documentation: copy of the title deed, a zoning certificate and a completed application form.
The council may require that changes be made to the plan before approval and only then will the scrutiny fee be determined which is usually based on the plan’s square meters.
The average waiting period for approval can be 6 weeks, depending on the complexity of the plans. You should start following up after 4 weeks and ensure they have all the information they require.
So the most important thing to remember is planning, planning ,planning.
