Review and analysis of the residential building certification process in South East Queensland

In Australia, building certifiers ensure that building projects are constructed to required standards as specified in the building regulations. The certification process involves the assessment of the building and design documentation for compliance before the building work commences and then verifies that the work is carried out in accordance with the approved plans. In Queensland building certifiers are accredited and licensed by the Building Services Authority (BSA). Inspections for building work can also be carried out by a local council building certifier, but many councils now permit owners and builders to employ their own private certifiers. The building certifier inspects the project during progress of the work and can give directions, issue permits, notices and orders as required ensuring compliance. Owners and builders employ building certifiers, often as private certifiers to give their advice on their proposed projects. The four stages of approval stages of building certification are described. A sample of the inspection and certification records of 109 houses in South-East Queensland and analyses their progress through each of the stages. The incidence of minor faults and failures are examined together with requests for further information. Trends in these incidents are enumerated, described and analysed with a view to improving the process.