Getting expert advice
Identify the industry experts who can help with your building project and development application.
Seeking professional advice can help ensure that your development application meets all the requirements of Brisbane City Plan 2014 (City Plan).
You may also need to hire an industry specialist to prepare plans and reports required for planning and building approval.
Get expert help with your application
Preparing a development application can be a complex process. You may need to consult with an industry expert who can help put together all the necessary documents and information.
Qualified professionals, such as architects, building designers and town planners, understand the planning approval process and are familiar with City Plan development codes and assessment criteria.
Some industry experts can also lodge your development application.
Before engaging an expert
- Do your research and make sure they can provide the service you need.
-
Check they’re qualified and insured.
-
Ask for details of previous projects they’ve worked on.
-
Source several quotes.
Where to find industry experts
Different types of experts can help with your building or development project, depending on your plans.
Engage an architect or building designer to develop building concepts, designs and drawings.
You’ll need to supply these for building approval when building a new dwelling, such as a house or multiple dwellings (e.g. apartments or townhouses).
Other services:
- site evaluation
- project management
- managing the development application process for you
- coordinating specialist consultants.
For more information, visit:
Contact a builder for expert advice on how to turn plans and drawings for your project into reality.
Services:
- project management, including engaging trade professionals
- management of the development application process for you.
For more information, visit Queensland Master Builders.
You’ll need to contact a building certifier to arrange building approval for residential and commercial projects such as:
- boundary fences more than 2 m in height
- retaining walls more than 1 m in height
- pools and pool fences
- extensions, raisings
- building a new house.
Services:
- assess building applications against the Queensland Development Code and National Construction Code
- issue building approvals
- inspect different stages of construction
- certify completed works comply with a building approval
- provide technical advice on siting variations.
For more information, visit the Queensland Building and Construction Commission.
You may need to hire an engineer to plan, design and advise on structural requirements for projects involving minor renovations and extensions, or when building a house.
Some engineers work in specific fields such as:
- construction
- land development
- structural or hydraulic design
- soil or water treatment.
Services:
- management of the development application process on your behalf
- project management
- earthworks verification and testing
- site inspections and verification of proposed works
- power reticulation
- construction support.
For more information, visit:
You can engage an environmental professional such as an ecologist, arborist or pollution specialist to assess impacts and achieve environmental balance of your building/development works.
If you’re lodging a development application and you have vegetation on your site, you may need to include a tree survey.
Services:
- site evaluation
- ecological/pollution assessments
- tree surveys
- site rehabilitation.
You may require an environmental professional to:
- advise if your proposed works may impact on ecologically significant areas or vegetation
- provide specialised management for impacts to vegetation and fauna
- assess tree health
- supervise onsite construction works within tree protection zones
- advise on pollution management (e.g. air, water, soil, noise).
For more information, visit:
You can engage a landscape architect to develop concepts, designs and drawings for outdoor spaces.
If you’re lodging a development application for a building project such as a multiple dwelling, you’ll need to include a landscape concept plan.
Services:
- site master planning
- project management
- advice on site rehabilitation
- managing the development application process on behalf of you.
For more information, visit the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.
Contact a plumber if your proposed project involves plumbing or drainage work. This includes projects such as:
- extensions, raising or renovations
- building a new house
- house demolishing or removal of a building
- installing a rainwater tank.
Plumbers can install:
- gas
- water reticulation and irrigation systems
- sanitary plumbing and drainage
- metal roofing and wall cladding
- refrigeration and fire protection
- they may also offer asbestos removal services.
You may also need a plumbing permit for your project. Any permit work must be completed by a licensed plumber.
For more information, visit the Master Plumbers Association (Queensland).
Turn to a solicitor for legal advice. Some solicitors specialise in services for buying or selling a home. These specialists are called conveyancers.
Services:
- title search
- Council rates search
- special water meter reading
- main roads search
- land tax clearance search
- registered plan of land.
For more information, visit the Queensland Law Society.
Land surveyors are responsible for matters relating to the registered boundaries of a property.
You may seek their professional services for projects impacting your property boundary, such building a structure near a boundary.
Services:
- record, measure and plot land for development purposes
- accurately define property boundaries
- determine if building works are within the property boundaries and the relevant height limitations.
For more information, visit the Surveyors Board of Queensland.
Town planners work with other professionals in the development industry to review projects before the application process.
Services:
- prepare development applications on behalf of property owners
- advise on development and design
- offer project management services and specialise in areas such as:
- the environment
- transport
- heritage
- services planning.
For more information, visit:
Helpful links
Frequently asked questions
The benefits of hiring an expert to help with your development application include ensuring your application meets the assessment criteria.
It can also minimise the chance of facing legal issues for not having the right permits.
Experts can apply their knowledge of Brisbane City Plan 2014 and experience with development assessment to make sure your application is correct and complete.
You can hire an expert, such as a building certifier or town planner, to help you prepare and lodge your development application.
You can also request Council assistance if you need help preparing your development application. We offer a range of prelodgement services, including advice over the phone and in person.
Building certifiers manage the building approval and inspection process. They must be licensed with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission.
Yes, Council can appoint a licensed building certifier to finalise building approvals issued before 30 March 1998.
If you cannot find or engage a private building certifier for your building or project, Council may be able appoint a licensed building certifier as a last resort to help manage the approval and inspection process. Council charges fees for these services.
You’ll need to identify what type of expert can help with your project and application, and engage them independently.
If you're unsure of what type of help you need, you can request advice from Council.