Illegal building work certification in Melbourne
Received a council building notice, or need unpermitted work approved before you sell? We inspect, advise on your options, liaise with council and certify the work.
Unpermitted building work
Get unpermitted building work certified
Building work done without a permit can lead to council building notices and building orders, and can cause problems when you sell, refinance or claim on insurance. The good news is that most unpermitted work can be certified.
As a BPC registered building surveyor, we inspect the existing work, give you practical on-site advice with options to comply, provide written advice and deal with council on your behalf, then issue the paperwork once the work complies.
Council building notice? Get illegal building work certified
We specialise in certifying illegal building work and unpermitted structures across Melbourne. We'll inspect what's been built, tell you plainly what's needed to make it compliant, and issue the paperwork your council needs to close the notice.
Call usWork we regularly certify:
Illegal building work certification process in Melbourne
Received a council building notice or building order, or need unpermitted building work approved before you sell? Here's how our registered building surveyors certify illegal building work in four simple steps.
Enquiry about your unpermitted work
Call or send an enquiry about the illegal or unpermitted building work, such as a deck, pergola, carport, fence, retaining wall or extension. Share your council building notice if you have one, and we'll confirm what's required.
On-site inspection by a registered building surveyor
A BPC registered building surveyor inspects the existing building work at a time that suits you, and gives you verbal advice on site with practical options to comply with council requirements.
Written compliance advice and council liaison
We provide written advice and liaise with council on your behalf. You get a clear written list of any rectification work needed to meet the Building Regulations 2018 and National Construction Code, with no jargon and no surprises.
Certificate issued and lodged with council
Once the work complies, we issue the permit or certificate and lodge the documents with council, which then decides on the building notice.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I receive a council building notice?
Don't ignore it, as building notices have deadlines. Contact a registered building surveyor, who can inspect the work, tell you what's needed to bring it into compliance, and, where the work complies, issue a permit or certificate that can be provided to council in response to the notice.
Can unpermitted building work be approved after it's built?
Often, yes. A building surveyor assesses the existing work against current regulations. If it complies, or can be made to comply with rectification work, it can be certified. Common examples are decks, pergolas, carports, fences, retaining walls and extensions.
Can I sell a property with illegal building work?
Unpermitted work can cause problems at sale, with lenders and with insurers, and buyers' building inspectors often flag it. Getting the work certified before you list gives buyers confidence and avoids delays at settlement.
Do I need a building permit for a deck, pergola or carport?
Often, yes. Whether a permit is needed depends on the size, height and location of the structure. A building surveyor can confirm what applies to your property before you start.
What is the difference between a building notice and a building order?
A building notice asks you to show cause why work shouldn't be required, and gives you a set time to respond. If the notice isn't resolved, the building surveyor can issue a building order, which legally requires you to carry out specific work.
How long do I have to respond to a building notice?
The time to respond is stated on the notice itself. Contact us as soon as you receive it so we can inspect and start working with council before the deadline.
What does certification of illegal building work involve?
We inspect the existing work, advise on what's needed to comply, and may request as-built drawings or an engineer's report. Once any rectification work is done, we issue the permit or certificate and lodge it with council.
Will I need drawings or engineering for existing work?
Often, yes. Most certifications need as-built drawings of the work, and structural items such as decks, retaining walls and extensions may need an engineer's inspection or certification. We'll tell you exactly what's required after our site visit.
What if the illegal building work can't be certified as it is?
In most cases the work can be brought into compliance with some rectification, such as extra fixings, balustrade changes or fire separation upgrades. Only in rare cases does work need to be removed. We'll explain every option on site.
Does unpermitted work affect home insurance or selling my property?
It can. Insurers may question claims involving unpermitted work, and buyers, lenders and their building inspectors often flag it. Certifying the work protects your property's value and avoids problems at sale.
Received a building notice?
Call early, as building notices have deadlines. We'll tell you exactly what's needed.