What does a Building Surveyor do?
Role of the Building Surveyor
A building surveyor is a licensed building services provider who is engaged by the owner of
premises to perform a statutory role on behalf of the government.
The building surveyor is responsible for making sure any building or demolition work has been
performed in accordance with the standards and processes set out in the Building Act and its regulations.
When do I need a Building Surveyor in Tasmania
The Building Act 2016 provides a risk-based framework when undertaking building or
demolition work in Tasmania. The Director of building control has determined the following categories of work:
Category 1 - Low Risk Building Work: This work can be done by an owner, licensed
builder or competent person.
Category 2 - Low Risk Building Work: This work can be done by a licensed builder, and in
some cases a competent person.
Category 3 – Notifiable Building Work: This work can only be done where a Building
Surveyor is engaged, carries out an assessment, and notifies the relevant Permit Authority.
Category 4 – Permit Building Work: This work requires a permit issued by the relevant
council Permit Authority.
When you DON'T need a Building Surveyor
You don't need a Building Surveyor when the work falls under Category 1 or 2.
When you NEED a Building Surveyor
You need a Building Surveyor when the work falls under Category 3 or 4.
How do I know which category my work falls under
The below is a link to the Directors Determination: Categories of Building and Demolition Work. This Determination can be used to find out what category your project falls under and whether you require a building surveyor.
If you are unsure which category your project falls under, please contact us for obligation-free advice.
Do I need a Building Surveyor?
SHEDS
When does a shed NOT require Building Approval in Tasmania?
Low-Risk Building Work
Generally, if a shed (Class 10a Building) meets the below criteria and none of the Standard Limitations apply, Building Approval is not required.
Non-prefabricated Shed
Use: For storage purposes, including vehicle parking.
Criteria:
- Maximum size 18m2
- Maximum ridge height 4.5m
- Maximum wall height 3.6m
- Single storey
Pre-engineered and prefabricated Shed
Use: For storage purposes, including vehicle parking.
Criteria:
- Maximum size 36m2
- Single storey
- Maximum ridge height 4.5m
- Maximum wall height 3.6m
- Engineer designed and prefabricated
- Engineer's design documents are to be purchased and referred to during construction
Standard Limitations (When Building Approval may be required)
- The property has a bushfire hazard planning overlay.
- Part 9 of the Housing Provisions requires that the external wall of the shed is to be fire rated e.g. If a shed is being built between the house and the boundary, the new shed needs to be at least 900mm away from either the boundary or the owners house.
- The shed will be located over or near an easement e.g. TasWater sewer main.
- The shed will affect infrastructure or services e.g. the shed is proposed to be built over an on-site wastewater management system or its land application area.
If you are unsure whether your next project requires Building Approval, please contact us for obligation-free advice.
Note: The information provided on this website is general in nature only. Sikkema Building Surveyors assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the content or for any actions taken based on the information provided.
DECKS
When does a deck NOT require Building Approval in Tasmania?
Low-Risk Building Work
Generally, if a deck (Class 10a Building) meets the below criteria and none of the Standard Limitations apply, Building Approval is not required.
Deck, non-roofed (Non-roofed means not covered by a roof, shade structure, garden structure etc)
Criteria:
- Maximum size: N/A
- Maximum height: The trafficable floor of the deck must be less than 1m above the surface beneath.
Decks, viewing platforms, road or pedestrian bridges, boardwalks, etc.
A detached permanent deck, viewing platform, boardwalk, or the like
Criteria:
- Maximum size: N/A
- Maximum height: The trafficable floor of the deck must be less than 1m above the surface beneath.
- A structure that is not a part of another building e.g. Deck is not fixed to the house.
Standard Limitations (When Building Approval may be required)
- The property has a bushfire hazard planning overlay.
- Part 9 of the Housing Provisions requires that the external side of the deck is to be fire rated e.g. If a deck is being built between the house and the boundary, the new deck needs to be at least 900mm away from either the boundary or the owners house.
- The deck will be located over or near an easement e.g. TasWater sewer main.
- The deck will affect infrastructure or services e.g. the shed is proposed to be built over an on-site wastewater management system or its land application area.
If you are unsure whether your next project requires Building Approval, please contact us for obligation-free advice.
Note: The information provided on this website is general in nature only. Sikkema Building Surveyors assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the content or for any actions taken based on the information provided.
SOLAR PANELS
When does a Solar Panel installation NOT require Building Approval in Tasmania?
Low-Risk Building Work
Generally, if a solar panel installation meets the below criteria and none of the Standard Limitations apply, Building Approval is not required.
Solar panels are Installed on a roof
Criteria:
1.) a proprietary product in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions; or
2.) a pre-engineered solution; and the solar panels are:
- parallel to the surface of the roof and there is not more than 100 millimetres between the
- surface of the roof and the underside of the solar panels; and
- the solar panels, or any part of the solar panels, do not overhang the roof surface at any
- point; and
- the solar panels are not within 200 millimetres of the edge of the plane of the roof; and
- the solar panel array does not result in more than 100 kilograms of dead load being placed on - - any single point where a solar panel array is attached to the roof; and
- the solar panel array does not cover more than 38 square metres of –
o a single roof plane; or
o multiple roof planes that are supported by a single structure
Solar panels are erected on a dedicated support structure at ground level (not on the roof)
Criteria:
The installation of either;
1.) a proprietary product in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions; or
2.) a pre-engineered solution.
- Maximum size of 38 square meters.
- Maximum height of support structure 3m.
If you are unsure whether your next project requires Building Approval, please contact us for obligation-free advice.
Note: The information provided on this website is general in nature only. Sikkema Building Surveyors assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the content or for any actions taken based on the information provided.