A building surveyor is a qualified registered professional who ensures that building projects meet the requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC), relevant Australian Standards, and local council regulations. At S C Brown & Co we assess plans, issue building permits, carry out inspections during construction, and provide occupancy permits and/ or certificates of final inspection.

As a building surveyor we also assess existing buildings for compliance with current regulations and redevelopment potential.

In most cases, yes. If you are proposing a new commercial development, fit out, refurbishment, additions, and/ or making structural changes, you will need a building permit before work can start. Some minor works, like small sheds, fences, or decks, may be exempt — please get in touch with us to discuss your building project.

A planning permit relates to how land can be used or developed, and is issued by your local council. A building permit, issued by a registered building surveyor, confirms that your building plans comply with the building regulations, safety standards, and the NCC. You may need both permits, depending on your project for to commencing construction works. Give us a call to discuss!

Either you or your builder can apply, but it’s important to clarify this in your building contract. If your builder applies on your behalf, they must have your written authority. For domestic works, the property owner must engage the building surveyor. Ultimately, it’s your responsibility as the property owner to make sure a valid building permit is in place before construction starts. For more advice and guidance around this, give us a call today!

Throughout construction, the building surveyor, referred to as the relevant building surveyor, carries out inspections at key stages (for example: footing, frame, final). These mandatory inspections ensure the building work meets approved plans and complies with regulations. If issues are found, the building surveyor may issue directions to fix them before construction work may progress.

Once the building work is complete, the building surveyor issues either an occupancy permit (for new buildings) or a certificate of final inspection (for some alterations/ additions that don’t require occupancy). This confirms the building is safe, compliant, and ready to occupy.

We specialise in commercial project works, with experience in healthcare, specialist disability accommodation, education, aged care, industrial, office fit outs, retail, and public assembly. Also, high end residential new build projects.

We are based in Port Melbourne and Daylesford. We service all of Melbourne metropolitan areas including Geelong and the Mornington Peninsula which extends to central Victoria including City of Ballarat, Shires of Hepburn and Macedon Ranges.

The timeframe depends on the complexity of the project and the quality of the documentation submitted. For straightforward applications, building permits may be issued within 1–2 weeks. More complex projects may take longer, especially if the proposed works require a planning permit, other relevant authority consents, including performance solutions or revision to design documentation is required.

Yes. We would encourage our engagement as early in the design phase as possible to assess the design for potential compliance issues, saving you time and money later. Early involvement of a building surveyor often makes the permit and inspection process smoother.

Please email us at hello@scbrown.com.au, provide some design documentation of your proposed building project, and estimated budget, and we will provide you a fee proposal for our services.

In Victoria, building surveyors, under their statutory function as RBS, must be registered with the BPC (Building & Plumbing Commission – formerly known as the Victorian Building Authority). Check your surveyor is registered, via the BPC website https://www.bpc.vic.gov.au/, is experienced in your type of project, and independent of your builder. This avoids conflicts of interest.

We provide statutory building surveying services (RBS) across Victoria and consultant building surveying services across all states and territories. If you’re unsure whether your project is within our area, please contact us via email at hello@scbrown.com.au and we’ll be happy to assist.

We provide consultant building surveying services to Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, NSW, Queensland, ACT and NT.

As a relevant building surveyor (RBS) our statutory function e.g. issue building permits within Victoria and Tasmania.

Yes.

As a Chartered Building Control Surveyor (MRICS) we are able to work in the wider Oceania and Pacific regions, Americas and the UK.