The cost of permits and fees vary considerably depending on the scope and extent of building works. To assist owners, estimates have been developed and should only be used as a broad guide.
State Government building levy is payable if the cost of building works is over $10.000. This is calculated on the cost of the building works.
|
Government fees and charges
|
Example
|
|
State Government Building Levy commercial works (0.00128% of cost of works if over $10,000)
|
Cost of building work $1.5 million
Building levy = $1,920
|
Report and consents fees
Council report and consent may be required in relation to non-standard projections beyond the street alignment or where public precautions are proposed over the street that does not meet the requirements of the Building Regulations 2006.
The relevant building surveyor can determine when a proposed design does not comply and confirm when a report and consent is required. The cost of a report and consent is $227.25 per Regulation.
Fees and charges for works on roads
When refurbishment works are carried out on an existing building it is not always possible to undertake the work within the title boundary. Council land, footpaths and road ways may be required for placement of cranes, scaffolding and gantries or for establishing a constructions zones etc. If this is the case, fees and charges may apply.
Case studies
To assist with understanding typical fees, we have developed three case studies. These examples of building permit fees and the number of inspections required for building works relate to the following scenarios:
CASE STUDY A
Constructed in 1985
Location: Collins Street, Melbourne
Retrofit works to include:
- Removal of HVAC plant from roof. To be dismantled and pieces transported to waste disposal via passenger lifts
- Installation of cogeneration plant on roof. Waste heat proposed to be shared by the hotel next door
- New HVAC plant to be placed on the roof. Won’t fit in the lift
- Increasing insulation in outer walls
- Internal lighting upgrade to T5s
- Bike parking out front of building has been requested
See estimated permit fees.
CASE STUDY B
Constructed in 1998
Location: Royal Parade, Parkville
Retrofit works to include:
- Installing small fuel cell for electricity generation on roof
- Solar panels on roof
- Introducing external sun shading on exposed aspect (Royal Pde)
- Installing waterless urinals and water saving fixtures
- Replacing water cooled chiller and sitting on the roof
- Water cooled chiller on the roof
- Internal tenancy space to be upgraded to open plan
See estimated permit fees.
CASE STUDY C
Constructed in 1965
Location: Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Retrofit works to include:
- Increasing internal lighting by introducing windows where there are none (side wall)
- Internal blinds to reduce internal glare on north façade
- Introducing motion sensors for heating/lighting
- Replacing direct expansion packaged air conditioning units with updated models
- Replacing boiler
- Upgrading lifts
- Internal tenancy space to be upgraded to open plan
See estimated permit fees.