Short answer: we do. One Stop Patio Shop prepares and lodges the approvals as part of the job. You sign the forms and we do the rest.
That is not true of every patio company in Perth, and it is the question worth asking first, because if the answer is that you handle it, the project is considerably bigger than it looks.
The short version
Most Perth volume builders do not include a patio as a standard inclusion, so it becomes an owner-arranged addition after settlement. Newer estates are also where planning approval and design guidelines are most likely to apply, which is worth checking before you sign.
Do Patio Builders in Perth Handle the Council Approval for You?
Some do and some do not. A supplier sells you a structure and leaves the paperwork with you. A builder takes the job from design through approval, manufacture and installation.
As a registered builder, we prepare the site plan and the elevations for your property, prepare the engineered specifications, lodge the building approval on behalf of the owner, and arrange planning approval and R Code variation forms where they are required. Where a neighbour’s consent is needed, we let you know so it can be arranged.
Do I Need Approval for a Patio in Western Australia?
In most cases, yes. A patio is a permanent structure, so building approval is required before anything can be ordered or installed. This applies to patios, carports, pergolas and outdoor living areas attached to or near a dwelling.
There are two separate approvals, and the difference matters because they run on very different timelines.
Building approval
This is the standard one and applies to nearly every job. It confirms the structure is engineered correctly for its location and wind rating. We have our jobs certified through a private building certifier rather than waiting on a full council assessment, which brings building approval down to approximately 2 weeks.
Planning approval
This is the additional one and only applies to some blocks. It is triggered when the combined length of the patio and the house wall it attaches to exceeds 9 metres with a setback under 1.5 metres, and on strata titled properties. Where it applies, that stage is assessed by the shire and can run up to 60 to 90 working days on its own.
We work out which path your block falls into at the quote stage, so the date you are given is the real one rather than the best case.
How Long Does the Whole Process Take?
- Free on-site measure and quote: arranged at your convenience.
- Building approval: approximately 2 weeks through a private building certifier.
- Planning approval, only where it applies: up to 60 to 90 working days, assessed by the shire.
- Installation: typically 8 to 12 weeks after approval, because the structure is manufactured to your measurements.
No builder can compress the planning approval stage. Anyone promising to is either not lodging one or has not checked whether your block needs it.
What Does It Cost?
The approval work is included in the job rather than charged as an extra. A deposit of 6.5% starts the approval process, then Progress Payment 1 is due on lodgement to council and Progress Payment 2 when approvals are received.
Which Councils Do You Deal With?
We cover the Perth metro area and surrounding suburbs from our base at Anketell, which means we lodge regularly across a wide spread of shires and councils. Requirements vary between them, particularly on setbacks and overshadowing, which is part of why we assess your specific block rather than applying a general rule.
Talk to Us Before You Commit
If you are comparing quotes, ask each company who prepares and lodges the building approval, and the planning application where one is required. Call 08 6500 0614, email sales@onestoppatioshop.com.au or request a free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
One Stop Patio Shop does. We prepare the site plan and elevations, prepare the engineered specifications, lodge the building approval on behalf of the owner, and arrange planning approval and R Code variations where required. The owner signs the forms.
Not all of them do. Some supply the structure and leave the approval with the homeowner. We handle it as part of the job, which is one of the five questions worth asking before you sign anything.
In most cases yes, because a patio is a permanent structure. Building approval is required before anything can be ordered. Some blocks also need planning approval, which is a separate and slower process.
Building approval takes approximately 2 weeks because our jobs are certified through a private building certifier rather than waiting on a full council assessment. Where planning approval also applies, that stage can run up to 60 to 90 working days on its own.
It is triggered when the combined length of the patio and the house wall it attaches to exceeds 9 metres with a setback under 1.5 metres, and on strata titled properties. We identify which applies at quote stage.
No. We prepare the site plan and the elevations for your property as part of the job. You sign the forms, and where a neighbour’s consent is required we let you know so it can be arranged.
