Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Jan 06, 2016 6:41 am Hi Does the private verified communicate directly with the builder during construction? Are you supposed to hear from them at each stage or do they just send you the certificate at occupancy? Custom knockdown rebuild Newcastle NSW viewtopic.php?t=78271 Re: Contact with private Certifier 2Jan 06, 2016 7:24 am If the certifier is working for you directly then they should update you every time there is an inspection and notify you of the pass/fail items. At the time of inspection usually the builder is on site so they will be told whether everything has passed or not. The PCA will inspect at all the critical stages. http://www.bcaustralia.net.au/services/ ... nspections I'll reproduce part of that page here for future reference for anyone else... Clause 162A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 sets out the mandatory critical stage inspections. They are: For class 1 and 10 buildings (including houses, garages and the like), building work on the development site must be inspected: - At the commencement of building work - After excavation for, and prior to the placement of, any footings - Prior to pouring any in-situ reinforced concrete building element - Prior to the covering of any framework for any floor, wall, roof or other building element - Prior to covering waterproofing in any wet areas - Prior to covering any stormwater drainage connections - After the building work has been completed and prior to any occupation certificate being issued in relation to the building Stewie Re: Contact with private Certifier 3Jan 06, 2016 3:49 pm Stewie... isn't the "Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000" a NSW specific document? Re: Contact with private Certifier 4Jan 06, 2016 4:41 pm It was passed by the NSW govt but I am unsure how it relates to any federal legislation if any. However I'd assume the federal govt would have something similar in place that forms the framework for the individual states. Stewie Contact with private Certifier 5Jan 07, 2016 2:37 pm Hi stewie Thanks once again for your help The reply from the PC is as follows - I have attended site prior to issue of the approval and again for the slab and footings. Next inspection will be the framework once roof and wall cladding is installed and services roughed-in. Now, we've got external bricks done. Isn't that covering of the frame? He's only been out twice so far and we've got the roof on, external bricks up and windows in. Custom knockdown rebuild Newcastle NSW viewtopic.php?t=78271 Re: Contact with private Certifier 6Jan 07, 2016 3:00 pm The bricks are only on the outside. I presume you are having brick veneer. As long as his next visit is before they clad the inside with plasterboard, your certifier will be able to see the timber frame, bracing, tie-downs, roof framing etc all from inside the house. Pretty common way of doing it. Stewie Contact with private Certifier 7Jan 07, 2016 4:22 pm Stewie D The bricks are only on the outside. I presume you are having brick veneer. As long as his next visit is before they clad the inside with plasterboard, your certifier will be able to see the timber frame, bracing, tie-downs, roof framing etc all from inside the house. Pretty common way of doing it. Stewie Great thanks for the reassurance. Yeah it's brick veneer so can see all the frame still. He said next visit will be "once roof and wall cladding is installed".. That's not plasterboard though, is it? Or is it? I assume he means the external cladding Custom knockdown rebuild Newcastle NSW viewtopic.php?t=78271 Re: Contact with private Certifier 10Nov 01, 2020 1:48 pm The forms we signed said us, but they have had no contact with us, they haven't put a sign on the fence saying they are the PCA and when contacted they said the builder was who they had a contract with. NSW Re: Contact with private Certifier 11Nov 01, 2020 3:13 pm Go back and check those forms. In most DA's there are boxes you fill out that ask "applicant " and another of "owner". Who is the applicant for the DA - you or the builder? It also may be the same for the CC. Stewie Re: Contact with private Certifier 12Nov 01, 2020 8:02 pm done We thought the PC was working for us, but they told us the builder is their client. Would this be right? I am assuming you are talking about CDC which is part of the Building application BA In which case, if the builder submitted the BA form then the private certifier is working for the Builder to get the plans certified for the Building permit. Alternately, If you are an Owner builder (OB) then you may employ the private certifier for CDC in which case he is working for you, Site inspections may form part of this agreement. Just remember the private certifiers never bites the hand that feeds them... if you get my gist to digress then there is also the issue of non compliance in which case you may require the services of an engineer and a private certifier, finally the private certifier then certifies that the engineered alternate solution is equivalent or better than what is in the NCC or AS . OT, Your council building department should accept alternate certified solutions, unfortunately unprofessional rivalry between private and council certifications have blurred responsibilities, ie basically, no one wants to take responsibilities for mistakes my2c hth Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Contact with private Certifier 13Nov 02, 2020 9:04 pm StructuralBIMGuy done We thought the PC was working for us, but they told us the builder is their client. Would this be right? I am assuming you are talking about CDC which is part of the Building application BA In which case, if the builder submitted the BA form then the private certifier is working for the Builder to get the plans certified for the Building permit. Alternately, If you are an Owner builder (OB) then you may employ the private certifier for CDC in which case he is working for you, Site inspections may form part of this agreement. Just remember the private certifiers never bites the hand that feeds them... if you get my gist to digress then there is also the issue of non compliance in which case you may require the services of an engineer and a private certifier, finally the private certifier then certifies that the engineered alternate solution is equivalent or better than what is in the NCC or AS . OT, Your council building department should accept alternate certified solutions, unfortunately unprofessional rivalry between private and council certifications have blurred responsibilities, ie basically, no one wants to take responsibilities for mistakes my2c hth I'm in NSW, the development application (DA) applicant is the builder. Construction certificate, (CC) we are the applicants. We appointed a (privater certifying authority) PCA. Our contract with the builder includes them providing PCA all that they need and paying them. Because of this PCA is not communicating with us, only builder. Builder has not passed on any reports nor let us know when PCA will be on site. Council not interested as a Principal Certifying Authority PCA has been appointed. We have seen a number of significant issues that we have raised with the builder and have been given their assurance that they will be fixed. We would like to know that the PCA is picking up on these items too. Re: Contact with private Certifier 14Nov 03, 2020 7:57 am done We thought the PC was working for us, but they told us the builder is their client. Would this be right? Hi Done I just wanted to clarify that in NSW legally the PCA ( Certifier) actually works for the homeowner NOT the builder. What has happened over the years is that the certifiers have been recommended by the builders and whilst the homeowner technically signs the form appointing the PCA the builder effectively manages them and the homeowner has no contact and feels powerless. My understanding is that the law is changing and builders can no longer tell you which PCA to appoint. With our clients we give them a couple of names but they are free to choose whoever they like. At the end of the day if we are building to code and doing a great job we have nothing to worry about. In all honestly, as wonderful and as careful as we think we are, sometimes we do miss things that we are picked up on and we have to fix them. So personally we dont mind having a "tough" certifier. But back to the main point, YOU ARE THE CLIENT. You have every right to call the certifier, ask for copies of the certificates for each stage, meet them onsite for the inspections etc. THE CERTIFIER IS NOT MEANT TO BE WORKING FOR THE BUILDER. Apologies for the caps but i felt like I needed to yell that out cheers Simeon Simeon McGovern Affordable Custom Homes, We design and build to your budget Ashington Homes www.ashingtonhomes.com.au Re: Contact with private Certifier 15Nov 03, 2020 9:10 am So where did you get the Certifiers no. from? I hope he wasn't recommended by the builder because he probably does a lot of work for them and naturally will be biased in their favour despite as per Simeon's post above, he is actually working for you. Stewie Re: Contact with private Certifier 16Nov 03, 2020 10:16 am Stewie D So where did you get the Certifiers no. from? I hope he wasn't recommended by the builder because he probably does a lot of work for them and naturally will be biased in their favour despite as per Simeon's post above, he is actually working for you. Stewie Stewie D for everyone reading this I just wanted to add a couple of links explaining how it all works including one from NSW fair trading. see below https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/building-and-renovating/preparing-to-build-and-renovate/what-certifiers-do and https://homebuildingcertifiers.com.au/blog/f/choosing-a-building-certifier I hope this helps everyone Cheers Simeon Simeon McGovern Affordable Custom Homes, We design and build to your budget Ashington Homes www.ashingtonhomes.com.au Re: Contact with private Certifier 17Nov 03, 2020 10:24 am Yes Simeon, I know what the official blurb is , however when you have someone like Metricon building hundreds of homes a year, they have their recommended PCA's that they prefer to use. They may say they are independent but when these larger building companies account for 70-90% of the certifiers work then that is where the bias comes in. Stewie Re: Contact with private Certifier 18Nov 03, 2020 10:26 am done StructuralBIMGuy done We thought the PC was working for us, but they told us the builder is their client. Would this be right? I am assuming you are talking about CDC which is part of the Building application BA In which case, if the builder submitted the BA form then the private certifier is working for the Builder to get the plans certified for the Building permit. Alternately, If you are an Owner builder (OB) then you may employ the private certifier for CDC in which case he is working for you, Site inspections may form part of this agreement. Just remember the private certifiers never bites the hand that feeds them... if you get my gist to digress then there is also the issue of non compliance in which case you may require the services of an engineer and a private certifier, finally the private certifier then certifies that the engineered alternate solution is equivalent or better than what is in the NCC or AS . OT, Your council building department should accept alternate certified solutions, unfortunately unprofessional rivalry between private and council certifications have blurred responsibilities, ie basically, no one wants to take responsibilities for mistakes my2c hth I'm in NSW, the development application (DA) applicant is the builder. Construction certificate, (CC) we are the applicants. We appointed a (privater certifying authority) PCA. Our contract with the builder includes them providing PCA all that they need and paying them. Because of this PCA is not communicating with us, only builder. Builder has not passed on any reports nor let us know when PCA will be on site. Council not interested as a Principal Certifying Authority PCA has been appointed. We have seen a number of significant issues that we have raised with the builder and have been given their assurance that they will be fixed. We would like to know that the PCA is picking up on these items too. Whilst the builder would have prepare the DA, I think you will find that you would have signed an application form or an authority to act on your behalf, and you as the landowner will be the beneficiary of the DA and therefore the certifier sits with you even though the builder is paying for them. We might need legal advice on this one, but in my experience even with a design and construction contract, the landowner all ways is the only party who has benefit from the DA and legally, the certifier works for the party with the benefit.ie the DA sits with the land. The builder cant build that DA on anyone else's land so is of no benefit to them. The certifier is meant to be independent of the builder/developer to try and keep them honest. Maybe you should call fair trading and ask? personally I would just phone the certifier cheers Simeon Simeon McGovern Affordable Custom Homes, We design and build to your budget Ashington Homes www.ashingtonhomes.com.au Re: Contact with private Certifier 19Nov 03, 2020 10:30 am Stewie D Yes Simeon, I know what the official blurb is , however when you have someone like Metricon building hundreds of homes a year, they have their recommended PCA's that they prefer to use. They may say they are independent but when these larger building companies account for 70-90% of the certifiers work then that is where the bias comes in. Stewie Stewie I completely agree with you. You are correct, however my PCA was telling me 2 days ago that this is no longer allowed. I have to do some digging on the legislation to confirm this. But the point is I believe that with the changes to the industry this practice is being cracked down on which is why ( if I am correct) this lovely person should be able to call the certifier. Simeon McGovern Affordable Custom Homes, We design and build to your budget Ashington Homes www.ashingtonhomes.com.au Re: Contact with private Certifier 20Nov 03, 2020 10:46 am Stewie D Yes Simeon, I know what the official blurb is , however when you have someone like Metricon building hundreds of homes a year, they have their recommended PCA's that they prefer to use. They may say they are independent but when these larger building companies account for 70-90% of the certifiers work then that is where the bias comes in. Stewie Stewie I have done the digging as promised. So a new clause 11C has been added to the Home Building Act making it an offence to unduly influence the appointment of the PCA. See attached extract and link from fair trading Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ have a look also at dot point 6 under "improved enforcement mechanisms" in the link below https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/abou ... ifier-laws Simeon McGovern Affordable Custom Homes, We design and build to your budget Ashington Homes www.ashingtonhomes.com.au We are at the stage on our build in Kilcoy, Queensland where we need to get our fencing installed but we cant get any contact details for our neighbours to give them… 0 6130 Hi, does anyone have a clue how the Brisbane Development website work in terms of how uptodate the dates on it are (developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au). I transfered… 0 4607 Hi, I contracted a Builder to do a Garage to Bedroom + ensuite conversion (Class 1a), the Builder engaged the Certifier and Engineer and received BDA from the Certifier… 0 4906 |