Kel
Building Consultants
OWNER BUILDERS · INDEPENDENT ADVICE · CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT
Owner Builder Advisory
Independent building advice and practical construction support for owner-builders managing their own projects.
From planning and permit preparation through construction and completion, I provide experienced independent guidance to help you understand the process, identify risks and make informed decisions throughout your build.
PRE-CONSTRUCTION
Plans, Specifications & Permit Review
Independent review of project documentation to identify construction, compliance and buildability issues before works commence.
PERMITS & APPROVALS
Building Permit & Owner-Builder Support
Practical support with the building permit process, owner-builder requirements and coordination of the documentation required for approval.
PROTECTION WORKS
Protection Works Advice & Management
Practical advice and support through the Protection Works process, including notices, adjoining property requirements and coordination of relevant documentation.
PROJECT PLANNING
Construction Planning & Programme Advice
Practical advice on construction sequencing, trade coordination and key project milestones before and during the build.
CONSTRUCTION
Staged Construction Inspections
Independent inspections at key stages of construction to identify workmanship, defects and potential compliance issues before they become concealed.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Construction & Subcontractor Advisory
Independent technical guidance when construction questions, workmanship concerns or subcontractor issues arise during the project.
COMPLETION
Completion, Defect & Owner-Builder Reporting
Independent assessment toward completion, including defect identification and reporting to support handover and applicable owner-builder requirements.
Why do owner builders need independent support?
01
Navigate Regulations With Confidence
Owner-builders take on significant responsibility for managing their project and navigating the Building Act, NCC, permit requirements and construction process. Independent advice from an experienced building practitioner can help identify requirements early and keep the project moving in the right direction.
02
Avoid Costly Mistakes Before They Happen
Many owner-builder problems are preventable. Independent plan reviews, practical construction advice and staged inspections can identify issues before they become expensive to rectify, helping you make better-informed decisions throughout the build.
03
Protect Your Investment at Sale
Selling a property completed as an owner-builder can involve additional disclosure, inspection and insurance requirements. Preparing for these obligations early can help avoid delays and provide prospective purchasers with clearer information about the completed work
OWNER BUILDER ADVISORY
How I can help you through the build
From planning through to completion, I can provide independent technical advice at any stage of your project. Engage me for a specific issue, selected stages or broader support throughout the build.
FLEXIBLE ENGAGEMENT
Only the support you need
Engage me for a single stage or specific service, or for broader support throughout your build. The scope can be tailored to your project, requirements and budget.
01
PRE-CONSTRUCTION
Plans, Specifications & Early Advice
Review your project documentation and identify construction, compliance and buildability issues before work begins, helping you understand the project and make informed early decisions.
OUTCOME
Clearer direction before construction starts.
02
PERMITS & APPROVALS
Permit, Owner-Builder & Protection Works Support
Practical assistance navigating owner-builder requirements, building permit documentation and Protection Works, including coordination with relevant building professionals where required.
OUTCOME
A better coordinated path through approvals.
03
CONSTRUCTION
Construction Support & Inspections
Independent advice and inspections during construction to identify workmanship or compliance concerns, assist with sequencing and provide technical guidance when issues arise.
OUTCOME
Issues identified earlier and better-informed construction decisions.
04
COMPLETION
Completion, Defects & Reporting
Independent inspection and reporting toward completion to identify defective, incomplete or non-conforming work and assist with rectification, handover and applicable owner-builder obligations.
OUTCOME
A clearer, better-documented path to completion.
OWNER BUILDER FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers to common questions about owner-building, permits, inspections, Protection Works and protecting your project.
Do I need to engage you for the entire build?
No. You can engage me for a specific issue, individual service or particular stage of your project. You can also engage me for broader support across multiple stages of the build, from early planning and permit assistance through construction and completion. The scope of services can be tailored to where you are in the project, the issues you need assistance with and the level of support you require.
When should I engage you as an owner-builder?
Independent advice can be valuable at any stage, although identifying issues before construction generally provides the greatest opportunity to address them early. I can become involved during planning and documentation, while obtaining the building permit, during construction, at completion or when a particular problem arises. If your project is already underway, the scope can be tailored to the stage you have reached and the issues requiring assistance.
Can you help manage the building permit process?
Yes. I can provide practical assistance coordinating the building permit process and the documentation required to progress the application. Depending on the engagement, this can include reviewing available documentation, identifying outstanding information, assisting with responses to information requests and coordinating with the relevant building surveyor, designers, engineers and other building professionals. The statutory assessment and issuing of the building permit remains the responsibility of the appointed relevant building surveyor.
Can you assist with Protection Works and adjoining-owner matters?
Yes. Protection Works can involve considerably more than issuing notices and obtaining a response. When building close to a boundary, early communication and practical technical advice can help maintain a constructive relationship with adjoining owners and keep the project moving. The relevant building surveyor has an important statutory role in the Protection Works process, but their role is not to act as the building owner’s design consultant or develop project solutions on the owner’s behalf. I can work alongside the owner-builder and their project team to review adjoining-owner concerns, investigate the technical issues and help develop practical options that can then be discussed with the adjoining owner and relevant consultants. This can include assisting with Protection Works documentation and information requests, explaining proposed construction methods, coordinating additional technical information and facilitating discussions between the parties where concerns arise. Having an independent building practitioner involved can be particularly valuable where an adjoining owner requires further information or has concerns about the proposed works. Rather than allowing technical questions to become an ongoing source of delay, the objective is to understand the concern, identify practical options and provide clear information that may assist the parties in reaching an acceptable way forward. The building surveyor remains responsible for their statutory functions and any required determinations. My role is complementary: providing the owner with practical building experience, technical advice and ongoing coordination that can help navigate the issues surrounding that formal process.
What is a dilapidation report and why should I consider one?
A dilapidation report records the existing condition of a neighbouring property or surrounding structures before construction work begins. It provides a dated photographic and written record of existing cracks, defects and other observable conditions before building work commences. This can be particularly valuable when building close to a boundary, undertaking excavation, demolition or carrying out other construction work that may later be alleged to have caused damage to an adjoining property. If a concern or dispute arises during or after construction, the report provides evidence of the property’s condition before the work commenced. This can help distinguish pre-existing conditions from damage that may have occurred during the works and reduce uncertainty when responding to adjoining-owner concerns. A well-prepared dilapidation report therefore provides a useful independent record for both the building owner and adjoining property owner before potentially disruptive construction work begins.
What happens if defects are identified during a construction inspection?
Observed defects, workmanship concerns or potential non-compliances can be clearly documented so you understand the issues requiring attention. Where appropriate, I can provide practical technical advice regarding the issue and the proposed rectification. Identifying concerns at the appropriate construction stage can provide an opportunity to address them before subsequent work conceals the affected area or makes rectification more difficult and expensive. Clear documentation can also assist the owner-builder when discussing the issue and required rectification with the relevant contractor or subcontractor. Further inspections can be undertaken where required to review rectification work.