Know before you start

A deck is not exempt under Schedule 3 of the Building Regulations 2018 and therefore requires a building permit.

You book online, we attend the property, and we check your pool or spa barrier against the current safety rules. If it complies, we issue your Form 23 certificate. If something needs fixing, we tell you exactly what, and you rebook once it is sorted.

In Victoria a pool or spa barrier must be inspected every four years, and again whenever the property is sold. We keep track of when yours is due so you do not have to.

A standalone barrier inspection is $250 including GST, plus travel outside our local area. You get the exact figure the moment you finish the quote.

As an owner-builder you provide a current copy of title and plan of subdivision, your plans and structural details, and the cost of works. Some jobs also need engineering, and above the insurance threshold, domestic building insurance. The quote form asks for what applies, and a surveyor confirms the rest.

Once we have a complete application and the required documents, we can get straight to work. The assessment itself is often the quick part. Delays are more commonly caused by missing information, outstanding documents or changes that need to be addressed. We'll clearly tell you what's required, keep you informed about anything outstanding and follow up where necessary, so your application doesn't sit waiting unnecessarily. Our goal is simple: keep your application moving and get your building permit issued as efficiently as possible.

If you have built something without the right permit and the council has issued a notice or order, a registered surveyor can assess the work, tell you what is needed, and mediate with the council on your behalf. Because every case is different and we take on responsibility for work already built, this one is priced after a site visit rather than quoted on the spot.

When you have done work on your own home and go to sell within seven years, you need an owner-builder report on that work. Shaun attends, assesses it, and provides the report. It is a flat fee plus travel.

The building permit levy is a State Government charge that applies to building work with a cost of works exceeding $10,000. The levy is calculated at 0.128 cents for every dollar of the cost of works and must be paid before the building permit can be issued. Once payment has been processed, the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) can allocate a building permit number. We will notify you when the levy payment is due to ensure there are no unnecessary delays in issuing your building permit.

Travel is complimentary within about 30 km of Torquay. From 30 to 80 km it is a per-kilometre round-trip rate multiplied by the number of site visits your job needs. Beyond 80 km a local inspector attends at a flat $250 per visit instead. Pool safety checks are a lower per-kilometre rate from 30 to 80 km, and we don't do them beyond 80 km. You see the figure in your estimate.

Pre-purchase inspections are not something we offer. Tell us what you need under Something else and we will let you know if we can help or point you the right way.