Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
The price of drawings
Does a high price for drawings ensure you have good drawings? The cost of drafting
varies incredibly. Ensure that you get a quote or at least an estimate for the work before
you employ their services. It is one area of construction that frequently catches people off
guard. Last year I had one of my owner-builders bring plans to me that were
unsatisfactory. I had to have the plans redrawn before they could be submitted to the
building surveyor. The new plans, at a cost of about $1500 did not have pretty colours or
drawings of cars parked in the driveway, but they gave us the details required. I am sure it
was disappointing for the owners when they realised that the original unsatisfactory
drawings had cost almost three times that of the new drawings. Little wonder then that
some owner-builders lose heart.
Plans not only supply details required for a town planning permit and the building
permit, but should also provide important assembly details that the owner-builder may
not otherwise be aware of. Money spent in the planning stage is money well spent. If it is
well targeted it is likely to save you thousands in construction costs to say nothing of
time; a commodity in short supply for most owner-builders. It is much easier to shift a
door or wall on a piece of paper than on the building after it has been constructed.
Checklist
The following is a checklist of documentation required when lodging an application for a
building permit
.
1. Relevant fees and charges
2. Completed 'Application for a Building Permit'
3. Copy of Title and Plan of subdivision
4. Proof of ownership of the land or permission from the owner to apply for a building
permit
5. Water authority consent - sewer plans
6. Town Planning Permit
7. Septic Tank Permit or details of the application for the permit (the Septic Permit will
be required prior to the issuing of a building permit)
8. Project specifications (these details will be on the drawings)
9. Certified computations (engineer will supply this)
10. Energyrating
11. Soil report and classification
12. Footing, slab design
13. Rescode site analysis - private open space, overshadowing, overlooking
14. Sitelevels
15. Plans (three sets): site plan, floor plan, section, and elevations
16. Roof truss design and layout
There may be additional requirements in specific areas such as areas prone to bushfire.
Some of the details in this list may not be required in your area, or may not be relevant to
your house. For example, if your house is being built on stumps, you will not need to
supply a footing, slab design. If you are not using roof trusses you will not be supplying
the roof truss design and layout.
