When you’re doing major construction work, chances are you’ll need the services of a building certifier to make sure that your new build is up to scratch. 

Read on for more information about building certifiers including:

• What is a building certifier?
• What do building certifiers do?
• What’s the difference between a building certifier and a private certifier?
• Questions to ask your building certifier prior to hire 
• How to hire a building certifier 
• Building certifier FAQs 

What is a building certifier?

If you’re thinking about renovations, building a new home or even installing a swimming pool, there are a lot of codes and regulations that you’ll likely have to follow. Even before construction begins, you’ll need permits, approvals of designs and inspections. 

A building certifier is the person who organises all of this. In general, they can either be appointed by the council or hired through a private company. The benefit of this is that they don’t work for the builders and can enforce building regulations or suggest courses of action if they aren’t being met. 

Your building certifier will be there through the entire process of your build and will work with everyone from the architects to the builders and landscape architects. At the end of your construction, the building certifier is also the one who issues the occupancy permit or certificate. Without this, you won’t be able to move in and enjoy your new build. 

Though regulations will change per state, you will usually require these kinds of certificates for any work that exceeds $5,000 or any work that could affect the structural integrity of the building or surrounding land. If you’re ever in doubt, get in contact with your local council and they can steer you in the right direction. 

What do building certifiers do? 

Building certifiers are responsible for issuing building permits, amongst other things. Once a permit is obtained, the certifier has five business days by law to give the property owner a copy of the permit. Your new permit will carry the details of who the certifier is as well as their contact details should you need to check anything with them.

The building certifier carries out all of the inspections that are associated with the building work. These inspections ensure that the building work that is being done complies with all of the requirements that are set out by varying levels of government, whether local, state or federal. The last thing you want is to find that your building isn’t up to safety codes or isn’t being constructed according to your plans.

The majority of their role revolves around the permits and certificates they sign off on for you, including: 

• Certificates of Completion 
• Construction Certificates 
• Complying Development Certificates 
• Compliance Certificates 
• Occupation/Final Certificates

They will also carry out a range of other tasks during the whole build and they will likely be in contact with almost every professional involved. They can also help with:

• Advising on planning and building regulations during the design stages of the project 
• Assessing designs to see if they meet the standards of the Building Code of Australia 
• Doing safety audits such as fire and life safety in existing buildings 
• Conducting Due Diligence Inspections

Read more: How much does a building permit cost?

What’s the difference between a building certifier and a private certifier? 

In terms of the job itself, they are the same. Both a building certifier and a private certifier conduct the same inspections and carry out the same tasks.

The difference comes in who they work for. A building certifier is usually appointed by your local council and has an obligation to see the work through. They will usually be a bit cheaper than a private certifier but they are usually booked well in advance. 

A private certifier works for a private company. They will usually cost more than a council certifier but they are much easier to get a hold of. 

It’s important to note that, though it usually doesn’t happen, a private certifier can refuse work or even pull out the work entirely if their contract allows it, whereas a council certifier generally can’t. 

How to hire the best building certifier for you?

Before you commit to a certifier, it’s a good idea to have a chat with them first so you can get an idea of their experience, quality of work and expertise. See below for a few questions you might want to ask. 

Are you licensed? 

No matter what type of certifier you hire, they must be appropriately licensed. This is done through the Building Services Authority (BSA) or through the building services authority in your state. 

Do you have insurance? 

Ensuring that your building certifier has the appropriate insurance is a good idea to make sure that you’re covered should anything go wrong. Whenever you contract someone to work for your construction, it’s smart to check this.

Do you have any referrals? 

Hearing from your potential building certifiers past clients can be a great way to know how reliable your building certifier is likely to be. If they have happy clients then it’s a good sign they can be trusted. It can be a good idea to look for reviews as well. Seeing how many projects they’ve worked on with satisfied customers will help you make an informed decision.

Ask for examples of their work

Seeing the projects they‘ve worked on in the past can give you an idea of whether they are going to be right for your project. They may have worked on similar projects or worked with many construction companies in their role. 

All of this can give you resources to see if their work is done on time and if the projects were allowed their permits.

How many years of experience do you have?

Building certifiers have a complicated job. If they make a mistake, your project can be delayed or fail to receive the appropriate permits. With this in mind, you want someone who is experienced to take care of your project.

How to hire a building certifier

At hipages, we always recommend getting at least three quotes before you decide on a tradie. They should be able to provide you with a written quote for the work and it’s a good idea to check what’s included. The cheapest option may not always be the best if another is offering more services upfront rather than hiding the costs down the line. 

After you’ve chosen your certifier, you’ll have to sign some sort of contract. Signing the Engagement Agreement means that you accept all of the terms that are outlined in the contract. And so are they. 

Building certifier FAQs

How long does building certification take?

There are several certificates and permits that your certifier will get for you. These will last the entire length of the project from design to construction and completion. Initial approvals for construction can take anywhere between one to four months. It will often depend on how busy the local council is. Some private companies will vary between a few days to a year

How much does a building certifier cost?

The cost of a building certifier will depend largely on the size and type of your build. They can range from a few hundred dollars for small jobs, up to several thousands for larger more intensive builds.