Cost of approval retaining wall: Pvt Certifier or Council

abhshri · Jul 19, 2024 6:24 pm

I'm in NSW and am applying CDC for building a retaining wall. The wall only needs to be 800mm at the highest point . I'm thinking just wooden sleepers. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

1. For CDC approval, should i go with private certifier or Council ? Which is better in terms of cost ?
2. A small retaining wall like this - is it normally built after the house handover?
3. Which is faster channel to get approval ?

Thanks in advance!!

kdrb2024 · Dec 04, 2024 7:53 am

hi Abhshri, your photo looks like exactly my recently constructed home in Campbelltown Council, NSW. i am in a similar situation, looking for CDC to construct RW. Have you resolved your issue? how did you get the DA approval, CDC or Council? please share. I am confused what to do as council and home certifier is not very clear about this.
thanks

Ashington Homes · Dec 15, 2024 9:37 am

kdrb2024

hi Abhshri, your photo looks like exactly my recently constructed home in Campbelltown Council, NSW. i am in a similar situation, looking for CDC to construct RW. Have you resolved your issue? how did you get the DA approval, CDC or Council? please share. I am confused what to do as council and home certifier is not very clear about this.
thanks

Kdrb2024

Honestly, for a 600-800mm high timber sleeper retaining wall, just get it done. 99% of certifiers do not care.

If you are unlucky and have the 1% who does care then just get a drawing and have them issue a CDC for the wall retrospectively. Just make sure you have lots of photos of the footings so you can show an engineer later.

For a small retaining wall it is not worth the design fees. Higher walls yes, but a small one that can be smashed up in a day out of timber sleepers no body in their right mind cares, especially if you can do it as part of the fence.

Cheers

Simeon

kdrb2024 · Dec 15, 2024 12:10 pm

Ashington Homes

kdrb2024

hi Abhshri, your photo looks like exactly my recently constructed home in Campbelltown Council, NSW. i am in a similar situation, looking for CDC to construct RW. Have you resolved your issue? how did you get the DA approval, CDC or Council? please share. I am confused what to do as council and home certifier is not very clear about this.
thanks

Kdrb2024

Honestly, for a 600-800mm high timber sleeper retaining wall, just get it done. 99% of certifiers do not care.

If you are unlucky and have the 1% who does care then just get a drawing and have them issue a CDC for the wall retrospectively. Just make sure you have lots of photos of the footings so you can show an engineer later.

For a small retaining wall it is not worth the design fees. Higher walls yes, but a small one that can be smashed up in a day out of timber sleepers no body in their right mind cares, especially if you can do it as part of the fence.

Cheers
Sheriff

Simeon

Hi Simeon,

Thanks for the input. I have always been checked for even small compliances! Moveover, my builder and their certifier is not helpful at all. I will get CDC approval because without this (constructing RW to get Full OC) i can not rent the peoperty out.
I am talking to a structural engineer to get it drawn and will get a private certifier. I dont want to engage my builder's certifier as I have no confidence on them.

Cheers

Ashington Homes · Dec 16, 2024 6:49 pm

kdrb2024

Ashington Homes

kdrb2024

hi Abhshri, your photo looks like exactly my recently constructed home in Campbelltown Council, NSW. i am in a similar situation, looking for CDC to construct RW. Have you resolved your issue? how did you get the DA approval, CDC or Council? please share. I am confused what to do as council and home certifier is not very clear about this.
thanks

Kdrb2024

Honestly, for a 600-800mm high timber sleeper retaining wall, just get it done. 99% of certifiers do not care.

If you are unlucky and have the 1% who does care then just get a drawing and have them issue a CDC for the wall retrospectively. Just make sure you have lots of photos of the footings so you can show an engineer later.

For a small retaining wall it is not worth the design fees. Higher walls yes, but a small one that can be smashed up in a day out of timber sleepers no body in their right mind cares, especially if you can do it as part of the fence.

Cheers
Sheriff

Simeon

Hi Simeon,

Thanks for the input. I have always been checked for even small compliances! Moveover, my builder and their certifier is not helpful at all. I will get CDC approval because without this (constructing RW to get Full OC) i can not rent the peoperty out.
I am talking to a structural engineer to get it drawn and will get a private certifier. I dont want to engage my builder's certifier as I have no confidence on them.

Cheers

Let me know if you need the number of a helpful certifier

kdrb2024 · Dec 16, 2024 7:05 pm

Ashington Homes

kdrb2024

Ashington Homes

Kdrb2024

Honestly, for a 600-800mm high timber sleeper retaining wall, just get it done. 99% of certifiers do not care.

If you are unlucky and have the 1% who does care then just get a drawing and have them issue a CDC for the wall retrospectively. Just make sure you have lots of photos of the footings so you can show an engineer later.

For a small retaining wall it is not worth the design fees. Higher walls yes, but a small one that can be smashed up in a day out of timber sleepers no body in their right mind cares, especially if you can do it as part of the fence.

Cheers
Sheriff

Simeon

Hi Simeon,

Thanks for the input. I have always been checked for even small compliances! Moveover, my builder and their certifier is not helpful at all. I will get CDC approval because without this (constructing RW to get Full OC) i can not rent the peoperty out.
I am talking to a structural engineer to get it drawn and will get a private certifier. I dont want to engage my builder's certifier as I have no confidence on them.

Cheers

Let me know if you need the number of a helpful certifier

Hi Simeon,
Please leave your certifiers details incase i will need them later.

Thanks
Sheriff