Frequenty Asked Questions
I would like Private Certifiers Australia to provide me with a quote/fee proposal for certification works, what information do you need in order to provide a fee proposal?
The documents we require depend entirely on whether you are applying for a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) or a Construction Certificate (CC) following a Development (DA) Approval.
What do I need to send you for a CDC quote/fee proposal?
To provide a fee proposal for a CDC, we require two main items:
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A Set of Plans: Architectural or Draftsperson drawings that clearly show the scope of the work that you are carrying out
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Section 10.7 Planning Certificate: This document confirms zoning and applicable rules for your land. This can be sourced from your local council.
Where do I get a Section 10.7 Planning Certificate?
You can obtain this certificate directly from your local council. Most councils allow you to apply and pay for these online through their website. It is a vital document for us to assess your project as it tells us if your land is “burdened” by certain constraints that might affect your ability to use the CDC path.
Please note - There are two types of a Section 10.7 Planning Certificate available in NSW. We only require the Section 10.7 (2) Certificate (Basic). The other certificate is 2 & 5 (Full) Certificate.
I have my DA Approval. What do you need for the CC quote?
To provide a fee proposal for a CC, we require:
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DA Notice of Determination: The formal approval document issued by the Council
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DA Stamped Plans: The specific set of plans that have been officially stamped and approved by the Council
Why do you need the “Stamped” plans?
The stamped plans contain the official conditions set by the Council. We need to ensure that the construction version of your plans aligns perfectly with what the Council has authorised.
What if I don’t know if my project falls under a Complying Development or whether I require a Construction Certificate?
Our role as certifiers is to assess your job once you have reached the process of whether the project is a CDC and or CC (DA).
We suggest if you are in early stages and unsure if you require a DA or you can carry out your works under a Complying Development that you reach out to a town planner who can assist in providing expert advice on whether the works you are doing fall under a CDC or require a DA through council.
How long will it take to receive the fee proposal?
Once you have gathered these documents, please email them through to our office admin@pcaservices.com.au. Our team will review the documents and provide you with a formal proposal, please allow 48-72 hours to receive a quote.
Why can’t you give me a quote over the phone without seeing plans?
Building certification isn’t “one size fits all”. Fees are calculated based on the complexity of the build, the number of required inspections, and the specific requirements of your site. Without the documents listed below, we’d just be guessing – and we’d rather be precise.
What happens if I want to proceed with Private Certifiers Australia’s signed fee?
Please complete the last 2-4 pages of your fee proposal and return the signed copy to our office – admin@pcaservices.com.au.
What happens once you receive my signed fee proposal?
Private Certifiers Australia will open a Project file in the office, we will email you with the Project File number (that is the internal reference number when interacting with our office for ease of communication) along with who has been assigned to be your Project Manager on the project.
At this stage our accounts team will invoice you Stage 1 of the project, with payment required prior to assessment of your project.
How long will it take for me to receive my List of Requirements?
Once we receive your Stage 1 payment, please allow 7 working days for you project manager to assess your file and provide you with a List of Requirements.
How long will it take for me to receive my Complying Development Certificate (CDC) or Construction Certificate (CC)?
This depends on how long it takes for you to obtain all the documentation required from your list of requirements. If we have everything we require to issue the certificate then we can usually turn this around in 24-48 hours.
However, we need all the requirements of the project satisfied before this can occur. Your project manager will work through this process with you.