Retrospective building permits are a challenge to work with. In an ideal world, all builders and owner-builders do the necessary pre-construction preparation prior to work commencing and ensure they follow the plans that have been approved. However, as an engineering design consultancy, we are sometimes called upon to work backwards and have a process to make it as streamlined as possible.
How to navigate the retrospective building permit process
Setting realistic expectations with property owners about the process from the timeframe, complexities, costs and rectifications is one of the first challenges. We’ve developed a flowchart to help. Download it here as a handout for property owners to become familiar with the process they will be embarking on.
Retrospective permit capabilities
Property owners can contact us as early in the process as possible from a surveyor’s recommendation or council authority. HED Consulting Business Manager Lydia Bowie says, “The strength of our team and process-driven approach means we have the capabilities for these jobs, which often come with considerable difficulties. With our engineering experts using BIM software and local knowledge, we find that we can work positively with clients and collaborators to get the desired outcome.”
How we work with surveyors and councils for retrospective permits
- Assessment: Whether you’re a builder, architect, building surveyor or council official, we’re available to support property owners where a building order is issued. This will help them know where to turn to next.
- Inspection. A thorough inspection by our design and engineering team will determine the adequacy of the existing conditions
- Documentation: We’ll work with the property owner to develop detailed plans and documentation of the completed work.
- Rectification: If the work does not meet the required standards, our team will outline the modifications or additional work required to bring it into compliance.
- Application: We’ll provide the documentation for the surveyor to make the application to council for the retrospective permit.
- Approval: Our team respond to any RFIs to keep the permit application moving towards success.
With the challenges involved in these types of projects, experience certainly helps. Particularly for owners who are overwhelmed and worried about losing the work they’ve done if solutions aren’t found.
Our team of building designers and engineers have expertise with:
- Illegal works
- Unauthorised works
- Owner builder works
- Unauthorised changes
- Design rectification plans
- Engineering rectification plans
- Documentation and certification/s
Recent cases of retrospective building permits
At HED, we aren’t always well-placed to assist with retrospective permits; however, our team has assisted with the situations below. It should be noted that the process is generally not short and not always resolved for the client.
- An owner-builder deviated from the approved plans for a deck
- A kitchen was installed in a space approved for another use
- Alterations did not meet the NCC
- Footings were found to be insufficient for the dwelling
- Construction was done without plans or permits
In these instances, our team produced the ‘as-constructed’ drawings and documentation that led to necessary remedial works to bring the building up to code.
Contact our team to help clients find the best way forward with their unauthorised works. Contact us here.
