Construction Certificate
What is Construction Certificate?
Receiving your development consent is a significant achievement, but it doesn’t mean you can jump straight into building. Before you begin construction, there are four essential steps to complete:
Obtain a Construction Certificate (CC): This is necessary approval from your local council or an accredited certifier for your building plans.
Appoint a Principal Certifying Authority (PCA): This authority, which can be your council or an accredited certifier, will oversee the construction process.
Notify Authorities: You must inform both the council and the PCA at least two days before starting any work.
Fulfil Preliminary Requirements: Ensure any tasks specified in the 'Prior to Commencing Work' section of your consent are completed.
Understanding the Construction Certificate
To proceed, you need to obtain a Construction Certificate (CC) from your council or an accredited certifier. This certificate must include comprehensive building plans, engineering specifications, and detailed documentation. These plans will likely contain more information than those approved in your Development Application (DA), allowing your builder to work directly from them.
It’s vital that the construction adheres strictly to these plans and the development consent. If any modifications are made that do not align with the DA plans, you may need to apply for a modification of the development consent.
Obtaining a CC may also require you to submit additional reports and pay any relevant fees or bonds as outlined in your development consent conditions.
Choosing a Certifier
You have the flexibility to choose who issues your CC. It can be either your local council or a private accredited certifier. All private certifiers are accredited by the NSW Building Professionals Board (BPB), which offers useful information on its website.
The Principal Certifying Authority’s Role
The PCA is appointed by the owner who holds the development consent—this means you, not your builder. Typically, the PCA is the same entity that issued your CC, but it can also be a different accredited certifier.
The PCA’s responsibilities include guiding you through the construction process and issuing an Occupation Certificate once the work is complete. The PCA will conduct inspections at various stages of the build to ensure everything complies with the development consent and CC, confirming that the building is safe and suitable for occupation.
Responsibilities During Construction
As the owner, you are responsible for working with both the PCA and your builder, overseeing the work, managing the site, and scheduling inspections. The PCA will outline the inspection process for you and the builder, and it is essential to follow these procedures diligently. Missing inspections can lead to delays. Common inspections include:
Piers
Slab
Frame
Stormwater
Wet area
Final inspection
It’s also essential to keep your neighbours informed and address any issues through the builder and PCA. Maintaining close oversight ensures the project remains in line with the development consent. Non-compliance could result in stop-work orders from the council or required corrections, potentially causing delays and additional costs. The EP&A Act provides enforcement measures to ensure projects adhere to their approved plans.
Expert Support
We collaborate with private certifiers to provide expert advice on obtaining a Construction Certificate. Leave the paperwork and project management to us, ensuring a smooth, stress-free renovation process.
