Many renovators are unaware of the legal obligations when updating their home. Bad advice and inexperience often catch out people wanting to improve their house. It is important to check with a local Building Surveyor to see if you do need a building permit.
Illegal Building works can be an expensive and stressful hurdle for an Owner Builder when trying to sell their property.
All building works, including extensions, removing load bearing walls, decks (of any height), garages, granny flats and pergolas all require a building permit and council approval.
At AOBIS we regularly see Owner Builders who are unable to obtain an Owner Builder Warranty due to illegal building works. Without a permit, the Owner Builder is forced to apply to VCAT for an exemption that can take months or apply to Council for rectification and approval which is costly and slow. In addition, once a purchase knows that permits were not obtained, doubts will arise as to the structural integrity of the building and offer prices will drop and potential purchasers may withdraw from the sale process.
To minimise the risk of delaying the sale of your home or incurring council fines and additional cost or even demolition orders, it is vital to seek Building Surveyor approval and the appropriate permits prior to commencing work.