Owner builder certification
Building it yourself? You still need a certifier.
In Queensland, building work over $11,000 needs a private certifier and mandatory inspections at set stages. We work with owner builders every week: approving plans, inspecting on schedule and keeping your project legal from slab to final.
Where we fit
3 things we do on your project
01
Approve the plans
Before work starts, we assess your drawings and engineering against the National Construction Code and issue the building approval. Problems get fixed on paper, where they are cheap.
02
Inspect the stages
Slab, frame and final are mandatory inspection points. We book around your trades and concrete schedule and turn inspections around fast, so the build keeps moving.
03
Certify the result
When the work passes final inspection, we issue the approval documents. That certificate is what protects the value of the property you just built.
Mandatory staged inspections
Slab. Frame. Final.
Each stage must be inspected before the next covers it up. Here is what happens at each one and when to book.
Stage 1 · Before concrete is poured
Slab inspection
We inspect the excavation, formwork, reinforcement and moisture barrier against the approved engineering. Book this before the concrete truck is booked. Once the pour happens, what is under it can no longer be verified.
- Footings and pad match the approved plans
- Steel size, spacing and cover
- Vapour barrier and termite management
- Set-out and boundary clearances
Stage 2 · Before linings cover the frame
Frame inspection
We inspect the completed structural frame while it is still exposed. Tie-downs, bracing and connections all need to be visible, so this happens before plaster, cladding or insulation goes on.
- Frame matches the approved design
- Tie-downs and bracing for wind rating
- Structural connections and lintels
- Any engineer-designed elements installed as specified
Stage 3 · When the work is complete
Final inspection
We inspect the finished building for compliance and issue the final approval documents. This is the paperwork that matters when you sell, insure or refinance the property.
- Waterproofing, glazing, smoke alarms and barriers
- Stairs, balustrades and decks
- Site drainage and finished levels
- Final certificate issued for your records
Owner builder questions
Asked on almost every project
Do I really need a certifier for my own project?
Yes, for most building work valued over $11,000 in Queensland. The certifier is a legal requirement, not an optional extra. We approve the plans before you start, inspect the mandatory stages and issue the final certificate.
When should I engage the certifier?
Before you start any work, and ideally while your plans are still being drawn. Engaging us early means the plans get approved without rework and your inspection stages are mapped out from day 1.
What happens if I miss a staged inspection?
It is a real problem. If the slab is poured or the frame is covered before inspection, the work cannot simply be verified after the fact and you may face exposure of covered work or an uncertified build. If you have already missed a stage, call us: there are pathways, but they are harder than booking on time.
Do you help with the owner builder permit?
The owner builder permit itself comes from the QBCC. We can point you at the right process and tell you whether your project needs one, then handle everything on the building approval side.
How much notice do you need for an inspection?
Call as soon as you can see the stage coming. A few days of notice is usually enough in South East Queensland. We schedule around concrete bookings, not the other way around.
Can you take over a project another certifier started?
In many cases, yes. Certifier transfers have formal steps, so call us with the details of the existing approval and we will tell you what is possible.
Talk to a certifier
Planning an owner build?
Call before you start drawing or digging. 10 minutes now saves weeks of rework later.