FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why use Local Group?

• By combining the services of Local Certification Services and Local Consultancy Services, we can provide assistance from the initial stages of plan drawing and development application submission through to the Final Certification of the completed development.
• We have a wide coverage throughout NSW with offices in the Macarthur Region, on the South Coast, in the Hills District and the Central Coast Regions.
• We have established a record for providing a reliable, consistent and efficient service.
• Our prices are competitive.

What are the advantages of using Local Group over Council?

• Avoid unnecessary delays that may be encountered with Council.
• We provide a more personalised service. * We respond to the needs of our clients much faster.
• We process applications for Construction Certificates and Complying Development Certificates generally much faster.

How long will it take for Local Certification Services to process my application?

• Our standard turnaround if all required information is provided is 7 days.
• We are currently process 95% of our applications within 5 days if all required information is provided.

Who will be processing my application?

• All applications are processed by suitably qualified and insured Accredited Certifiers.

How do I go about arranging a quote?

• Contact one of our offices via phone, email or fax for a free, no obligation Fee Proposal. To complete the Fee Proposal we will require a copy of the Architectural Plans and a copy of the Development Consent.

What documents are required to be submitted with my application?

• In the Documents Section of this website are Construction Certificate and Complying Development Certificate Checklists. These identify the documents that need to be provided with your application.

When can construction work begin on my site?

• Construction work can begin two days after a Construction/Complying Development Certificate has been issued and sent to Council with the “Notice of Commencement of Building Work”.

Do I need to contact Council prior to the Commencement of works on my site?

• Yes, we will send a copy of your Construction Certificate and Notice of Appointment of the Principal Certifying Authority to Council, however recent changes to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, require the property owner to provide two days notice to both the Council and the Principal Certifying Authority prior to the commencement of works.

How do I arrange a Critical Stage Inspection?

• Contact one of our offices via phone, email or fax to arrange inspections. We can carry out the inspection the day after it has been booked if the request has been received in one of our offices prior to 3pm the day before. It is advised that you liaise with your Builder prior to contacting the office to book the inspection.

How do I arrange for a refund of my Council Bond/Deposit once the works have been completed?

• When the works have been fully completed, a Final Occupation Certificate will be issued. A copy of this certificate will be sent to the Applicant for the Job and also the Council. When Council receives their copy of this certificate they will automatically begin processing the refund. Please be advised that this may take several weeks.

What if I have lost the copy of my Occupation Certificate?

• Once the Final Occupation Certificate has been issued, our records are finalised and the file is archived offsite.
• We are happy to supply an additional copy of your Occupation Certificate but unfortunately this will incur an archive retrieval fee.

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