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Residential Building Inspections

Introduction

Throughout your building development project work, you require a Principal Certifying Authority (PCA) to inspect the work during the construction stage to ensure it meets all regulations. The role of the PCA is to issue the requred certificates including the Final Occupation Certificate.

The PCA

It’s the job of the PCA to understand if the building complies with Approval and is ready for occupation in accordance with its classification under the Building Code of Australia before issuing an Occupation Certificate. The PCA can also issue Subdivision Certificates where Council’s Local Environmental Plan (LEP) allows.

The PCA needs to be arranged before building or subdivision work begins and must be appointed by the property owner before you have been issued with a Construction Certificate or Complying Development Certificate. The council can act as the PCA, however if you appoint an accredited private certifying authority, you must notify council.

Home Certs can act as your PCA for your development project and conduct all essential inspections.

The Environmental Planning and Assessment Act

The Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 requires mandatory critical stage inspections to be carried out at the following stages of construction:

  • At the commencement of any construction or building work
  • After excavation for and prior to the placement of any footings
  • Prior to pouring any in-situ reinforced concrete building elements
  • Prior to the covering of any framework for any floor, wall, roof or other building element
  • Prior to the covering of any waterproofing in any wet areas
    Prior to covering any stormwater drainage connections
  • After the building work has been completed and prior to any Occupation Certificate (OC) being issued in relation to the building.

Inspections may also be required for the following:

  • Separating walls (fire/acoustic)
  • Pool steel
  • Swimming pool barriers

The issuing of an Occupation Certificate may be threatened if a critical stage inspection is missed.

Under the cl.163 of Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulations 2000, the principal contractor for the building site, or the owner-builder, must notify the Principal Certifier at least 48 hours before each required inspections is carried out.