Principal Certifier Services Sydney & NSW
Metropolitan Building Approvals provides Principal Certifier services for approved residential, commercial, industrial and complex building projects across Sydney and NSW. Our registered building certifiers manage required certification functions and inspections during construction, helping ensure building work progresses in accordance with the approved development, applicable legislation and relevant building requirements.
What does a Principal Certifier do?
A Principal Certifier is appointed to carry out statutory certification functions during the construction phase of an approved development.
The Principal Certifier oversees the certification process, carries out or arranges required critical stage inspections, assesses compliance matters during construction and, where the applicable requirements are satisfied, may issue the Occupation Certificate at completion.
A Principal Certifier is an independent regulator of building work. The role is different from that of the builder, project manager or superintendent and does not involve supervising or managing the construction work itself.
Critical Stage Inspections
Required inspections at prescribed stages of construction to assess whether the building work is progressing in accordance with the applicable approval and building requirements.
Construction Compliance
Assessment of relevant certification and compliance matters that arise during the construction phase.
Certification Records
Management of required inspection records, certificates and other documentation forming part of the certification process.
Occupation Certificate
Final certification assessment at completion, including the required final inspection and consideration of the documentation needed before an Occupation Certificate can be issued.
Need to appoint a Principal Certifier before construction starts?
Send us your development approval, Construction Certificate or CDC and project details and our team can review the Principal Certifier requirements for your project.
Discuss Principal Certifier ServicesWhen do I need to appoint a Principal Certifier?
A Principal Certifier must be appointed before approved building work starts where the development requires construction certification.
Obtain the Required Approval
Before construction begins, the project must have the required development and construction approval in place, such as a Construction Certificate or Complying Development Certificate.
Appoint the Principal Certifier
The property owner or applicant appoints the Principal Certifier before building work commences. The appointment is made through the NSW Planning Portal and the certifier must have the appropriate registration for the project.
Notify Before Work Starts
The required commencement notifications must be completed before construction begins. Where the Principal Certifier is not the local council, council must be notified of the appointment at least two days before building work starts.
Do not wait until construction has started to appoint your Principal Certifier.
The appointment and required pre-commencement steps should be completed before building work begins.
Already have your CC or CDC?
Send us the approval, stamped plans and proposed construction start date and our team can review the Principal Certifier appointment requirements for your project.
Appoint a Principal CertifierWhat are Critical Stage Inspections?
Critical Stage Inspections are mandatory inspections carried out at prescribed stages of building work as part of the certification process. The inspections required depend on the building type, approved work and applicable regulatory requirements.
Required Inspection Stages
The Principal Certifier identifies the critical stage inspections required for the project and records them as part of the certification process.
Inspection of Building Work
Inspections are carried out at the required stages to assess relevant aspects of the building work against the approved plans, conditions and applicable building requirements.
Inspection Records & Issues
Inspection outcomes are documented. Where relevant issues are identified, they must be addressed through the appropriate certification and compliance process.
Final Critical Stage Inspection
A final critical stage inspection is required after the building work is completed and before an Occupation Certificate can be considered. This final inspection must be carried out by the Principal Certifier.
The required inspection stages vary by project. Metropolitan Building Approvals will confirm the critical stage inspections that apply when we are appointed as Principal Certifier.
Have construction starting soon?
Contact our team before work commences so the Principal Certifier appointment and required inspection stages can be confirmed.
Discuss Your InspectionsHow does the Principal Certifier process work?
Once appointed, the Principal Certifier manages the statutory certification process during construction through to the Occupation Certificate stage, subject to the applicable project requirements.
Appointment
The Principal Certifier is formally appointed before building work starts and the required commencement notifications are completed.
Confirm Inspection Requirements
The required critical stage inspections and relevant certification requirements are identified for the approved building work.
Construction Inspections
Critical stage inspections are carried out at the required stages during construction. Where issues are identified, they must be addressed through the appropriate compliance and certification process.
Final Inspection & Documentation
After the building work is completed, the Principal Certifier carries out the final critical stage inspection and reviews the required certificates, records and other completion documentation.
Occupation Certificate
Where the applicable statutory requirements are satisfied, the Principal Certifier may issue the Occupation Certificate allowing the completed building or relevant part of the building to be occupied or used.
Approaching completion?
Our team can confirm the inspections, certificates and completion documentation required before the Occupation Certificate assessment.
Discuss Your Occupation CertificateFrequently asked questions about Principal Certifiers
Ready to appoint a Principal Certifier?
Send us your development approval, Construction Certificate or CDC and project details and our team can review the Principal Certifier requirements for your project.
Speak With Our Certification TeamRelated Certification Services
Construction Certificates (CC)
Assessment of construction documentation against the NCC before works commence.
Construction Certificates (CC)Complying Development Certificates (CDC)
Combined planning and construction approval for eligible complying development.
Complying Development Certificates (CDC)Occupation Certificates (OC)
Final and Part Occupation Certificates with clear handover documentation.
Occupation Certificates (OC)BCA / NCC Compliance
Pre-DA reports, upgrade strategies and pragmatic code-based advice.
BCA / NCC Compliance