Who needs to prepare building approval drawings?

Building approval drawings must be prepared by a qualified person, typically a licensed building designer or drafter. In Queensland, this is usually someone with the appropriate QBCC licence. Plan Draft holds a QBCC licence and prepares drawings for standard residential additions.

Do I need building approval drawings for a carport, deck or patio?

In most cases, yes. Carports, covered patios, elevated decks, and room extensions require a building approval, which requires a set of drawings. The specific requirements vary by council area and project type.

How much do building approval drawings cost?

Plan Draft charges fixed prices: carport plans $2,490, deck or patio plans $2,990, room extension plans from $3,490. Prices are confirmed before work starts, no open ended quoting.

Residential drafting, Brisbane & SEQ

Building Approval Drawings

Q: What are building approval drawings?

Building approval drawings are a set of technical documents prepared by a drafter or designer that show the proposed work to a standard that allows a building certifier or local council to assess compliance with the Building Code of Australia and local planning requirements. They typically include a site plan, floor plan, elevations, sections, and a materials specification.

Fixed price drawing sets for carports, decks, patios, room extensions, and granny flats. Everything your certifier needs to assess your building approval application.

What are building approval drawings?

The documents that make your approval application complete.

Before a building certifier can issue a building approval for a residential addition in Queensland, they need a set of drawings that shows what's being built, where it sits on the property, and how it will be constructed. These are building approval drawings, also called working drawings or council drawings.

A standard set of building approval drawings for a home addition includes: a site plan showing the structure's location on the property and its relationship to boundaries; a floor plan showing dimensions and layout; elevations showing all sides of the structure; and a materials and specification schedule. For covered structures, a roof plan is also included.

Plan Draft produces fixed price drawing sets for standard residential additions across Brisbane and South East Queensland. The drawings are prepared by a QBCC licensed building designer and issued as a PDF suitable for immediate use in your building approval application.

Fixed prices

Carport Plans

$2,490

Elevated Deck Plans

$2,990

Patio Plans

$2,990

Room Extension Plans

From $3,490

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No commitment required to enquire

Our services

Fixed price drawing sets by project type.

Carport Plans

Attached and freestanding carports on standard residential lots. Site plan, floor plan, roof plan, elevations, and specification.

$2,490 fixed

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Elevated Deck Plans

Elevated timber and composite decks, roofed or open. Site plan, floor plan, elevations, sections, and specification.

$2,990 fixed

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Patio Plans

Ground level patios and pergolas, roofed or unroofed. Site plan, floor plan, roof plan (if covered), elevations, and specification.

$2,990 fixed

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Room Extension Plans

Single room additions to existing dwellings. Scope reviewed before commitment, price confirmed in writing before work begins.

From $3,490

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FAQs

Common questions about building approval drawings.

What drawings are required for a building approval?

The exact requirements vary by project type and council area, but a typical residential addition requires: a site plan showing the structure's location and boundary setbacks; a floor plan with dimensions; elevations of all sides; and a materials specification. Covered structures also require a roof plan. Some projects may require structural engineering drawings as a separate document.

Who can prepare building approval drawings in Queensland?

Building approval drawings for residential structures in Queensland must be prepared by a licensed building designer or drafter holding the appropriate QBCC licence. Plan Draft holds a QBCC building design licence (Lic. 15204075) and prepares drawings for standard residential additions across Brisbane and South East Queensland.

Do I need a building approval for a carport, deck or patio?

In most cases, yes. Carports, covered patios, elevated decks, and room extensions typically require a building approval from a private building certifier or your local council. Some minor structures may be exempt, but the threshold is lower than most homeowners expect. We advise on approval requirements as part of our enquiry process.

What is a private building certifier?

A private building certifier is a licensed professional who can assess and approve building work on behalf of the government, an alternative to going through your local council. In Queensland, most residential approval applications are processed through private certifiers. They assess your drawings against the Building Code of Australia and issue a building approval if the work complies.

How long does a building approval take?

Once you have complete drawings, a private building certifier typically assesses a straightforward residential addition within 5–15 business days. Council applications take longer, often 20–40 business days. Having complete, well prepared drawings significantly reduces the chance of delays from requests for additional information.

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Send us your project address and a description of what you want to build. We'll tell you whether it suits a fixed price service, within one business day, no commitment required.

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