Victorian Building Surveyors
Victorian Building Surveyors
Victorian Building Surveyors
Victorian Building Surveyors
Victorian Building Surveyors
Victorian Building Surveyors
Victorian Building Surveyors
Victorian Building Surveyors
Victorian Building Surveyors

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VICTORIAN BUILDING SURVEYORS PROVIDES BUILDING PERMIT SERVICES & POOL AND SPA INSPECTIONS

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Our Private Building Surveyors from the Victorian Building Surveyors (VBS) are professionally trained to provide independent oversight of building design and building work throughout the construction process and upon completion of work. Our building surveying services include but not limited to decisions on building permits,  building inspections, decisions on occupancy permits, certifications for illegal building work and pool certification services in Melbourne metropolitan areas. 

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Building Permit Services:

 

The intention of the building permit process is to review documentation and ensure that building works comply with the Building Act 1993, Building Regulations 2018, National Construction Code 2019 (NCC) and relevant Australian Standards. 

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Our building surveying practitioners are empowered by the Building Act 1993 that governs building activity in Victoria to provide building surveying services for building permit process in Melbourne and Metropolitan areas. 

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We are empowered by the Act to review proposed building works and carry out one or any of the following activities:  

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  • Decide on building permit applications which can include the issuing of building permits;

  • Carry out inspections of buildings and building work;

  • Enforce safety and building standards; and

  • Issuing of occupancy permits and certificates of final inspections.

 

Our Building Surveyors can carry out the functions of a building surveyor in respect of buildings of all BCA classes (residential and commercials), regardless of the height and floor area.

Pool and Spa Inspections:

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We work with Melbourne Pool Inspection (MPI) who are specialised in pool and spa inspection services.

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Since 1st December 2019, it is mandatory for swimming pool or spa owners to register their pool or spa with the relevant council. As part of the registration process, pool and spa owners are required to obtain and lodge a compliance certificate for their safety barriers. 

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Our service providers are focused on assisting pool or spa owners to ensure they are complying with their mandatory requirements under the new building legislative framework in Victoria. Our inspectors ensure pool safety barriers are correctly maintained, and the operation of the barriers restrict access to the pools or spas. 

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You can book for an inspection to authorise our registered practitioners from Melbourne Pool Inspection to assist you in compliance with the applicable barrier standard.

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Illegal Building Work Certification:

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A building permit cannot be issued retrospectively for building works already carried out.

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If our building surveyor is the Relevant Building Surveyor (RBS) for your work, and illegal building work occurs, he can issue a Building Notice giving you the opportunity to address the non-compliant issues.

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If we are not the RBS for your work, and illegal building work occurs, the Municipal Building Surveyor (MBS) of your local council can issue a Building Notice, giving you the opportunity to show cause why the works were carried out without first obtaining a building permit and/or why the building should remain on your property. 

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Our building surveyors are empowered by the building Act to issue a certificate of compliance under s.238(1)(b) of the Building Act for the attention of the MBS and confirm compliance of the work with the building legislations. In a review of the certification, a determination can be made to whether the illegal building work can be retained. 

 

Please contact us to arrange a building inspection by our registered practitioners in Melbourne and metropolitan areas.

About Victorian Building Surveyors

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Victorian Building Surveyors are a small boutique company that provides building surveying services for both government and private sectors across Melbourne and Metropolitan areas. We pride ourselves on providing professional, reliable, prompt and quality services with competitive rates. 

 

Our company was established in 2016 and is operating under the direction of Mr Joseph Yousefi. Joseph is a Building Surveyoring practitioner in the category of unlimited and is authorised to carry out the function of a building surveyor that is specified in the Building Act 1993 with no limitation in size and complexity of building works.  

 

Joseph has a depth of knowledge and experience in understanding the building regulatory regime. He worked with several local governments and the private sector. Also, he undertook a vital role as a Senior Technical Advisor with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) and is applying his knowledge in our practice which we believe our clients will benefit from it. 

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Linked in 

 

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Frequently asked questions

When is a building permit required?

The following link from the Victorian Building Authority assists you to understand if your building work requires a building permit: https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/99377/PN-32-When-is-a-building-permit-required.pdf



What is the role of a Building Surveyor ?

The role of the building surveyor, defined on part 6 of the Building Act 1993 and the National Construction Code (NCC) as an Appropriate Authority.

The following is some of the statutory role of a Building Surveyor in Victoria:

1. Issuing of building permits.

2. Carrying out inspections.

3. Issuing of occupancy permits.

Also, they are the authority to determine if a method of construction satisfies the relevant Performance Requirement identified in the National Construction Code.

Please note that the role of a building surveyor who is appointed for a building permit is not the same as the role of an appropriately qualified person (e.g. structural engineer). The role of a relevant building surveyor (RBS) is not to produce an evidence of suitability that is required as part of the Documentation of Design and Construction identified on part A5 of the NCC.



What is the cost for a building permit?

Based on regulation 265(c) of the Building Regulations 2018, we must receive remuneration for services as a building practitioner solely by the professional fee or other benefits specified in a contract of engagement. All our professional costs associated with our work will be identified on our fee proposal and terms of service that we agree before we accept an appointment. Also, our general fees for an application for building permit is identified on our website. Please note, the VBA Code of conduct for building surveyors identifies: "Schedule 2 of the Building Act provides that an application for a building or occupancy permit to a private building surveyor must be accompanied by the fees determined by the private building surveyor. This enables the private building surveyor to collect payment before assessing the building permit application and to collect any outstanding fees for additional services allowable under their fee arrangement before assessing the application for an occupancy permit. This is intended to enable independent decision making without fear of not getting paid. It also distinguishes the independent role of the relevant building surveyor from the role that other professionals might have on a project".



What are Mandatory Building Inspections?

The following stages of building work prescribed as the mandatory stages for inspection, and we identify the relevant inspections for your work when we issue a building permit: 1. Before placing a footing that can include foundations or stump holes;
2. Before pouring an in situ reinforced concrete;
3. The completion of the framework;
4. Final, on the completion of all building work;
5. On the completion of any precautions required to be taken for protection work;
6. Final, and on the completion of all relevant demolition or removal work;
7. The completion of any excavation related to the installation of the swimming pool or spa;
8. Final, on the completion of the swimming pool or spa and related safety barrier.



Do I need a Building Permit to convert my garage into a habbitable room?

Yes, a building permit is required so a building surveyor can check if your building complies with the relevant requirement of the National Construction Code, e.g. energy efficiency, health and amenity or structural requirements.



Do I need a building permit if I am removing an internal load-bearing wall?

Yes, the removal or alteration of any element of the building that is contributing to the support of any other element of the building is not exempt from building permit requirements.



Do I need a building permit for demolition works to remove a colorbond shed which is more than 40 m2?

Yes, the exemptions for building permit in relation to the demolition of class 10 is not applicable if: 1. The shed is constructed of masonary materials;
2. Size exceeds 40m2 in floor area;
3. The work can harm the safety of the public or occupiers; or
4. The work is in connection to a building included on the heritage register.



Mr Joseph M Yousefi 

Building Surveying Practitioner (Unlimited) Registration       BS-U 61233

VICTORIAN BUILDING SURVEYORS PTY. LTD.                   ABN 22 614 879 882

Melbourne - Victoria 

PO BOX 6509 POINT COOK VIC 3030

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