Shed Conversions in Nanango

If you are looking to convert your Nanango shed into a home to live in, there are certain government regulations you should be aware of. To change your shed to allow habitable living it needs to be transformed from a Class 10a building to a Class 1a dwelling. Class 10a structures are those not meant to be lived in permanently such as sheds, carports or garages. The National Building Code of Australia and the Queensland State Building Act 1975 stipulate that your Nanango Class 10a buildings must be reclassified before you move in. There are a number of forms that need to be completed during the conversion process. Postma Consultants are Registered Professional Engineers of Queensland (RPEQ) and can issue a Structural Reclassification Report as well as the Form 15 Design Certificate and Form 16 Inspection Certificate that are legally required for the shed conversion in Nanango.

Nanango Class 10a to Class 1a Shed Conversions

Registered Professional Engineers of Queensland (RPEQ) are the only professionals legally permitted to issue a Structural Reclassification Report need to convert a shed or garage in Nanango into a Class 1a dwelling.

Your RPEQ needs to supply a drawing set and a Form 15 Design Certificate in their report which will also outline any other remedial structural and strengthening work to be completed to upgrade a Nanango shed to a Class 1a house. The consulting engineer will review your plans to offer a professional opinion on such structural components of the proposed building like:

Foundations
Footings
Slab
Walls
Roof framing
Bracing
Trusses
Tie-downs

Besides providing the Structural Reclassification Report, Postma Consultants can also liaise with other professionals and your builder to meet further site-specific requirements such as conducting soil tests.

Form 15 Design Certificates And Form 16 Inspection Certificates

Before you can convert your Class 10a shed in Nanago to a Class 1a inhabitable dwelling, you must use the services of a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) to complete a Form 15 Design Certificate and Form 16 Inspection Certificate. There documents are required by law and there are large fines for non-compliant buildings. Form 15 Design Certificates must be issued before starting construction to determine strengthening works required whereas a Form 16 must be issued at each stage of the build. These forms play a vital part in making sure your new home is safe to live in and adheres to government building legislation. Only a capable person, such as a Registered Professional Engineers of Queensland (RPEQ) for example, can sign off on a Form 15 and Form 16 to convert your shed. The government is now serious about ensuring the legislated standards are being met for all new builds in Nanango so it’s imperative to do it by the book.

A Form 15 Design Certificate Is Required

Most sheds or garages in Nanango are not considered suitable to live in unless structural changes are made to their design. You will therefore require the services of a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) to review the structural integrity and make recommendations. To this end, the RPEQ must compile a Structural Reclassification Report and issue a Form 15 design certificate to describe the necessary works required to make your shed liveable. These documents must be submitted to council before you start any construction on your new home. Apart from listing any structural changes to be implemented, these documents must state what tests, specifications, rules, standards and codes of practice the Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) used to make their recommendations. This is required for every Nanango shed conversion to a Class 1a dwelling to protect your safety and ensure compliance with the National Building Code of Australia.

A Form 16 Inspection Certificate Is Also Required

During the building process, Nanango residents converting their shed must also hire a professional to conduct inspections of each major construction stage. A Form 16 Inspection Certificate is used at these times to ensure the builder has built according to plan and all building codes are being met. A Local Nanango structural engineer can be used to complete a Form 16 Inspection Certificate on your behalf when converting a Class 10a shed to a Class 1a structure. Your consulting engineer will only be able to issue a Form 16 for your Nanango shed once they are completely satisfied with the standard of the build. Form 16 Inspection Certificate is a legally binding document which must be completed solely by a competent person such as a RPEQ.

Issuing A Form 15 and Form 16

Legally, only those professionals deemed a competent person can sign off on Forms 15 and 16. Therefore, if you need a shed to home conversion, you’ll need a local Nanango structural engineer’s help. Your builder cannot inspect their own work and is prohibited from issuing a Form 16 Inspection Certificate on your job.

Nanango Shed Conversion Structural Engineers

Postma Consultants are your local structural engineers of choice with a broad range of experience over the past 30 years. We have helped many residents convert their Class 10a sheds into Class 1a dwellings over our many years of operation. We are a family business whose main drive is offering more personalised service than the larger engineering firms. Our consulting engineer is always available to answer any questions you may have and is always contactable. We can even arrange site visits to your Nanango property at short notice. Postma Consultants are leading professionals in our areas of expertise with many satisfied customers. For advice on converting your Nanango shed into a a Class 1a liveable dwelling, please contact us on on 0417 533 691 or email jan@postmaconsultants.com for friendly and flexible structural engineering services.