The most misunderstood part of buying a modular home. We've helped hundreds of Australians through this process — and we have a 100% success rate.
Building without council approval in Australia exposes you to serious consequences. Every council has different rules — zoning, overlays, easements, bushfire levels, flood zones, setbacks. Getting it wrong costs far more than getting it right from the start.
Council can require you to demolish or remove the building at your cost — often exceeding the home's value.
Penalties of tens of thousands of dollars for unauthorised building works are common.
Unapproved structures cannot be insured. If it burns down or floods, there's no payout.
You cannot legally rent or lease an unapproved dwelling.
Unapproved structures must be disclosed and often removed before a property can settle.
If approval cannot be achieved for your property, we refund your deposit in full. We've never had to invoke this guarantee.
One flat fee. No hidden extras. Everything required to get your approval across the line.
Full review of your land including zoning, overlays, easements, services, access, bushfire attack level, and flood risk. We identify issues before you commit money to the build.
Structural engineering drawings, NatHERS 7-star energy rating, site plan, application forms, and all supporting documentation prepared by licensed engineers and town planners.
We lodge the application and manage all council correspondence. If council requests additional information, our specialists handle it. You don't deal with council at all.
Most granny flats and secondary dwellings under 60m² qualify for a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) — a faster, simpler pathway. Larger or primary dwellings require a Development Application (DA) through your council.
Secondary dwellings under 60m² typically require a building permit only — no planning permit in most residential zones. Larger builds or complex sites may require a planning permit.
Most modular homes require a Development Application (DA) through your local council. Timelines are generally longer than southern states due to council assessment processes.
Applications are assessed through the SA Planning & Design Code. Most residential zone applications are assessed by a private certifier rather than council.
Requires both a Building Permit and, in most cases, a Development Approval from your local council or JDAP. Regional and rural WA applications vary significantly.
Approval requirements vary significantly. We have specialist contacts in all territories and states. Contact us for a free assessment specific to your location.
Properties in BAL zones require specific construction modifications. Our engineers spec the appropriate BAL rating — from BAL-12.5 up to BAL-FZ. Affects material selection slightly. Not a deal-breaker.
Requires additional engineering showing the home can be elevated above the flood planning level. Raised pier foundations are typically specified. Adds time and some cost — but achievable in most cases.
Rural residential zones can accommodate permanent dwellings but often have minimum lot size requirements. We have extensive experience with rural approvals across all states.
Not a problem — they often suit steel pier foundations better than a slab. The engineering drawings specify appropriate pier heights. Steeper sites may have additional foundation costs.
Properties in wind regions C and D require specific structural tie-downs. Our structures are designed for cyclone compliance — engineering drawings specify the appropriate connections.
We assess site access in advance — driveway width, overhead lines, turning circles. Expandable granny flats have a smaller transport footprint for difficult access.
Tell us your address and we'll do a preliminary assessment before you spend a cent. No obligation.