era | Prepare Your Application TO BUILD
STEP ELEVEN
IN THE PROCESS TO DESIGN + BUILD ARCHITECTURE SPECIFIC TO YOU.
prepare your building permit documents
Prepare documents to submit a Building Application.
Get to know your permit preparation.
You have all your information, you have a design, you have a plan, you have approval to develop your land. Now you need a permit to build your architecture. A Building Permit.
You need permission from your local authority – usually known as council – in order to build on your land.
Your permission to build comes in the form of a permit.
You need to submit an application in order to be considered for issue of a permit.
Your permit may be called something slightly different in different places, such as a Construction Certificate, but you get the idea.
- a Building Application will result in a Building Permit – Permission to Build
What do you need for a Building Application?
A Building Application Checklist will help you keep track of what is required.
The first port of call is your local council. Depending on where you live, your local council may have all the information required for an application online. If not, you may need to call them or go in and see them.
They often even have a general checklist prepared for you so make sure you check the requirements before you start preparing your application and before you submit the application. Confirm with someone in the building department at your local authority by phone or in person if there is anything you do not understand.
However, it is good to set up your own checklist to identify the following:
- Each item required for your application
- The contents of each item
- Who is responsible to prepare each item
- A place to check off each item as you complete it and include it in your application
Your Building Application will be assessed by the Building Department at your local authority.
Generally, the purpose of a Building Application is to assess that your architecture complies with the national construction code. In Australia this code is known as the NCC [National Construction Code] and previously known as the BCA [Building Code of Australia]. It is available online to download for free! You will need to know what ‘class’ your architecture is. You can clarify that by reading the definitions in the NCC or asking your building compliance consultant.
If you have any questions to clarify construction details that are specifically defined by your local authority being constructed on council managed land, such as a kerb or crossover detail for a driveway, these are the people to talk to. Most local councils have a Building Surveyor or Engineer in their building department available to answer calls or meet in person, either through appointment or within a time period without appointment. So take advantage of this service and get informed.
How to prepare your Building Application.
You need to submit an application of drawings, specifications and schedules that demonstrate the construction of your architecture will comply with the national construction code as well as any other applicable regulations.
In general, the building department looks at the following:
- footings and structural detailing for the bones of your building including any retaining walls.
- construction connections between ground and floor.
- construction connections between floor and walls.
- construction connections between walls and roof.
- flashing and waterproofing for the external envelope.
- wet area waterproofing for bathrooms and the like.
They care that your building will be constructed in accordance with the construction code.
That is their aim in a nutshell, but each council building department is individual and requires information specific to their area.
If you have employed a professional such as an architect, designer, design and construction organisation or project home builder to prepare your application for you, they will likely take care of most things, but make sure you are clear on any responsibilities you have to ensure you deliver the information required by you to them in a timely manner so as not to affect the process.
Your building application in the process.
Submitting a Building Application is a milestone in your process. You need to submit an application in order to receive a Building Permit. You need a Building Permit to commence construction.
Although you have just prepared documents in accordance with the National Construction Code, you may require more information, more drawings and schedules, before you commence construction. These extra documents are not critical to show how your building is constructed, so not required for a building application. However, they will be useful when it comes to building your architecture.
working out your construction details means you will find architecture specific to you.
THE NEXT STEP IN THE PROCESS IS TO RECEIVE YOUR PERMIT TO BUILD.
THE PROCESS.
This is the eleventh step in the process to design and build architecture.
If you would like to see how this step fits within the process, you may be interested in a little book I have written that sets out each step in the Process in one place. It is a guide and workbook to help you through each step in your architectural journey.
The process is summarised in this little Blog post - era | the Process to Design + Build Architecture.
Each step in the process will also be broken down into its individual steps right here in this little Blog - so keep checking in to see the whole set!
Til next time!
Start the process to find your architectural language and make your little ideas a reality.
Click here to see the little things I have made for you, or click here if you would like to work with me one on one.