Unapproved decks

If you select a certifier that makes life difficult for you, get another. I have found a wide difference in the way certifiers interpret the rules; they have significant autonomous power. And EPD cant/wont do a thing about it.

We suggest you come into the Environment and Planning Directorate or give us a call on 6207 1923 to find out what development and building approvals will be required, if any. Bring some plans so we are better able to see the deck. If you do need approvals, you will need a private building certifier – a list of licensed certifiers is on our website http://www.actpla.act.gov.au/hiring_licensing/find_professional.

You can find the shopfront at 16 Challis Street, Dickson (opposite the motor registry). Opening hours are Mon – Fri, 8.30 am to 4.30 pm.

rhino said :

montana said :

JC said :

Firstly are you talking development or building approval? Secondly not all desks need these approvals hence why they have exemptions.

But in your case 3-4m off the ground, it is rather simple. It ticks the boxes to need both approvals, so not sure what is confusing in your case.

As to who, no idea.

why did you even bother to reply? the OP already knows they need an approval, they just need to know where it can be done.

Strongly agree.

Why did you two bother to reply?

I mean to say at least my answer was related to the topic at hand and may well of helped others who might have the same issue. That said if you look carefully the OP was still not 100% sure if approval was needed, I confirmed this was the case.

So really, again I will ask why did you two bother?

LovemyTown said :

Thanks to all who made helpful suggestions. Exarkun thanks..it was that word drafting I wasn’t googling! I kept finding companies that only wanted to do new construction not existing. It should pass as the friend that built it said that provided we didn’t have 100 people stomping up and down he guaranteed it. We are just confused at to whether we need rain water tanks and all the new obligations that are around these days.

Now to get it past the neighbour that hates everyone and complains about everything… 🙂

For a brief moment I imagined that you lived next door to dungfungus…

Thanks to all who made helpful suggestions. Exarkun thanks..it was that word drafting I wasn’t googling! I kept finding companies that only wanted to do new construction not existing. It should pass as the friend that built it said that provided we didn’t have 100 people stomping up and down he guaranteed it. We are just confused at to whether we need rain water tanks and all the new obligations that are around these days.

Now to get it past the neighbour that hates everyone and complains about everything… 🙂

if it’s not built properly they won’t pass it.

montana said :

JC said :

Firstly are you talking development or building approval? Secondly not all desks need these approvals hence why they have exemptions.

But in your case 3-4m off the ground, it is rather simple. It ticks the boxes to need both approvals, so not sure what is confusing in your case.

As to who, no idea.

why did you even bother to reply? the OP already knows they need an approval, they just need to know where it can be done.

Strongly agree.

JC said :

Firstly are you talking development or building approval? Secondly not all desks need these approvals hence why they have exemptions.

But in your case 3-4m off the ground, it is rather simple. It ticks the boxes to need both approvals, so not sure what is confusing in your case.

As to who, no idea.

why did you even bother to reply? the OP already knows they need an approval, they just need to know where it can be done.

Any architectural or building design (drafting) firm should be able to do this for you. Drafting firms will be cheaper – it’s just a matter of finding someone willing to take on the job.

There is an ACT company which advertises this service – but it is a company I would avoid at all costs.

I will not mention the company’s name, but the company principal had his builder’s license suspended in 2012 for some very dodgy behaviour (Google is your friend if you’re interested). Amazingly, this gentlemen has now become a building ‘inspector’.