Getting expert advice
While Council can help you navigate planning processes, preparing a development application can be complex. On this page, find out about the types of industry experts who can help with your building or development project.
Before engaging an expert to work on your project:
- do some research to make sure they provide the service you need
- check they are properly registered and insured
- obtain several quotes
- ask for details of projects they have worked on.
The types of experts who may be able to help with your building or development project are:
- Architects and building designers
- Builders
- Building certifiers
- Engineers
- Landscape architects
- Plumbers
- Solicitors
- Surveyors
- Town planners
Note: Council does not endorse particular suppliers.
You can also check with Queensland Building and Construction Commission to obtain historical and current information about building contractors’ work.
Architects and building designers
Architects and building designers develop building concepts, designs and drawings. They may also offer services such as:
- site evaluation
- project management
- managing the development application process on behalf of the property owner
- co-ordinating specialist consultants.
For more information, you can visit:
Builders
Builders use plans and drawings to construct buildings and other structures. They may also offer project management services or manage the development application process on behalf of the property owner.
For more information, visit the Queensland Master Builders.
Building certifiers
Building certifiers are responsible for assessing whether proposed building work complies with the Building Act 1975 and associated standards. The building certifier who issued a building permit must also carry out an inspection to determine if the building work complies with the approval.
Building Certifiers can provide you with technical advice on siting variations and must be engaged if a siting variation is required for an assessment against the performance criteria of the Queensland Development Code (QDC) as they are the assessment manager for these applications.
Engineers
Engineers plan, design and advise on structural requirements. They may work in a specific field such as:
- construction
- land development
- structural or hydraulic design
- soil or water treatment.
Some engineers will manage the development application process on behalf of the property owner.
For more information, you can visit:
Landscape architects
Landscape architects develop concepts, designs and drawings for outdoor spaces. They may also offer services such as:
- site master planning
- project management
- advice on site rehabilitation
- managing the development application process on behalf of the property owner.
For more information, visit the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.
Plumbers
Plumbers 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. For more information, visit the Master Plumbers Association (Queensland).
Solicitors
Solicitors provide legal advice. Some specialise in services for people who are buying or selling a home or setting up and running a business. For more information, visit the Queensland Law Society.
Surveyors
Land surveyors are responsible for matters relating to the registered boundaries of a property. This includes determining if building work has been constructed within the approved boundaries of the property and to the relevant height limitations.
For more information, visit Guidelines for Surveys Relating to Property Boundaries, developed by the Surveyors Board of Queensland.