Everything you need to know about finding a Building Surveyor

Building surveyors are a necessary part of any building project – whether you are building a whole new home or carrying out renovations (depending on the scope) or adding an extension. But what exactly is a building surveyor and what do they do?

What is a Building Surveyor?

A building surveyor is responsible for ensuring that a building is safe, accessible and energy efficient. The surveyor is a necessary professional during the building process and they work with other professionals such as architects, engineers, and builders to ensure that the building meets all regulations. Amongst the things that considered are the location of the building, how well it withstands hazards such as fire, wind, and earthquake, how the building is used, and also that the building meets the laws relating to the safety, health, and welfare of the occupants.

Building surveyors are accredited by different organisations depending on the state they work in. The AIBS (Australian Institute of Building Surveyors) accredits building surveyors in QLD, NT, SA, ACT, and nationally for the Department of Defence. In NSW, accreditation is carried out by the Building Professionals Board. In Victoria, the Building Practitioners Board of Victoria accredits building surveyors. In WA, it is done by the Building Surveyors Qualification Committee. 

You can find out more information about their registration in your state/territory on Licensedtrades.com.au.

What Building Surveyors Do

 

Building surveyors perform a range of functions including the following:

• Certify plans and structures to ensure that they meet the requirements of building legislations and codes of practice
  
• Give advice to builders and owners before building plans are finalised and lodged, to avoid potential problems
  
• Issue building permits
  
• Manage inspections throughout the whole building process to ensure that the correct building methods and materials are used and that the building meets the regulations set – either doing the inspections themselves or organising for a building inspector to do them on their behalf
  
• If any part of the inspections fail, the building surveyor ensures that the work is rectified and brought up to the correct standards • Approve the building for occupancy
  
• Perform inspections on existing buildings to find out their existing condition and how well they are complying to safety standards
  
• Carry out pre-purchase inspections
  
• If required, can give evidence in court regarding breaches of building regulations
  
• Keep records and write reports on the progress of the building as well as where regulations have been breached or plans have been altered.