works estimate figure for council planning application

Hi All,

While submitting development application to council, owner needs to provide approximate cost of proposed development. I heard many people revise down the figure to save on the application cost as application cost is based on this amount. What have you known about this practice? Does it have any implications if this figure is shown lower? One can always argue that actual cost of development is not known until final building contract is signed.

Rooky

 

Use a plug and play number from a QS website or construction cost guide. The council will.

 

I've never seen a council question the fee. Also, read the fine print... It may exclude earthworks, site works and GST.

 

In Vic the categories are pretty broad - eg up to $500k, over $1million etc etc so it's not too important to be 100% accurate.

 

The amount (here in Perth) should be construction only - ie does not need to include turnkey items. For a triplex I’d generally use $1000 per square meter of construction on that basis, so if your total construction is 3 x 160sqm then I would put $480,000 as the value.

 

I asked this question to Joondalup council and they said that if you put too lower figure then while applying for building permit, they will adjust development application fees and will charge extra to cover shortfall.

 

I find this unlikely, as long as it's within reason you'll be fine.

 

In Sydney some DA submissions require you to engage an independent QS to prepare an estimate - fairly cheap to do, but I think it's the independent and qualified part they care about.