What You Should Expect From a Set of Plans You Submit to Council

Recently I've seen some awful plans that were submitted to Council and will never be approved...  I hope this article helps you to make an informed choice when picking an Architect/Designer - it's vital to take a look at a sample of their plans and check that they are registered with SACAP (the South African Council for the Architectural Profession). 

What Should My Plans Look Like?

Once a set of plans is submitted to Council it becomes a legal document so it's very important to get it right.  I always submit very detailed plans to Council - years ago I was told to submit Construction Plans. 

Here is the full set of plans for the project I did recently (Sections & Elevations above).  Page 4 (sectional elevations) is only required for Building Line Relaxation.

Page 1 - Site Plan 

Page 4 Sectional Elevations

I quoted for this job in August 2016, the Client got 4 quotes (it's always a good idea to get a few quotes) and this chap was about 40% cheaper than the other Architects/Designers who also quoted.  This plan was submitted to Council in early 2017 (yes it did take that long to draw up the plans...) and the lady called me last year to assist her as her plans were still in Council and she didn't know what to do.  In the meantime she had gone ahead and finished her building project.

I would have had to re-draw the plans and double check site measurements, as over a year had passed and Council  had tightened up regulations I had to explain to her that it was going to cost MORE.  It's always much harder to fix someone else's mistakes.

The worst part was... I would have had to get other professionals to double check the work that had been done - the 'builder' had not bothered with a structural engineer for the foundations or the roof.  And there were code violations with the plumbing in the Scullery!   You can not encase a sewer waste pipe going under a building in concrete anymore to protect it against load, it has to be in a duct so you can access it easily if there is a problem. If you don't then you will have to dig everything up..

The more I looked at these plans the more my head span.  

Take a look at this section -

Here is an elevation from the same project  -

Take a look at one of the Elevations this other person did -

The paper copies of the plans I was shown were also in red, blue and yellow.  Apart from the fact that they don't photocopy well or indeed read well on site - it doesn't adhere to Standard Regulations and not what Council wants!!!  All new brickwork has to be shown in red, all new timber in yellow, all new metal in blue, all new sewer pipes in brown, etc. etc.  All existing has to be shown in black.  The entire house must be dimensioned (in black not yellow...), there is no window schedule  and the list goes on.

The plumbing has been drawn incorrectly, there are no vents indicated on the stacks and the waste traps are not shown - I didn't get to site to see this - I can only hope and pray that the plumber did his job properly...

What paperwork does Council want?  

Here is the list...(it just keeps on getting longer!)

Prior to plan submission you will need approval and stamps from the following -

New regulations enforced in September 2012 also require that your home is energy efficient - this also stipulates that at least 50% of your hot water is generated from solar powered geysers or heat pumps.
Energy Efficiency Calculations need to be done for the Fenestrations (glazed doors and windows) and the roof.
Energy Demand Calculations will also need to be included with the plans.

and finally the paperwork -

For Plan Submission you will need -

10.) Plan Submission / Courier Fees and Council Fees.

11.) Power of Attorney authorising your Architect / Courier to act on your behalf in respect of gaining building plan approval.
12.) Energy Efficiency Calculations for your home.
13.) Lighting Layout with Energy Consumption & Demand Calculations
14.) Water layout.
15.) Hot Water Demand Calculations.
16.) Heritage Approval Stamp and Letter if your home or building is more than 60 years or is deemed to be of historical, aesthetic or of social significance.
17.) SG (Surveyor General) Diagram, Aerial Photograph, Contour Map and Zoning Certificate.
18.) Patience!

Please take a look at the articles I wrote below on How to Get Building Plans Approved, Building Line Relaxation and Why it's Never a Good Idea to Build without Planning Permission for more info.  I've also added links to two articles I've written about Heritage Applications.

If you need help with plans that are 'stuck' at Council or you would like to arrange an appointment with me to discuss a project (new building, renovations/additions or 'As Built' structures needing plans) please let me know. 

How to Prepare For Your Design Project - how to Create a Design Brief before hiring your Architect/Designer 

It's full of helpful tips - after all a good working relationship and a good brief with your Designer is key!

You can order it here -

Free E-Book - How to Prepare For You Design Project

Further reading -

What you Should Expect from your Architect/Designer

Who's Better an Architect or a Designer?

Getting Building Plans Approved

Building Line Relaxation

Why it's Never a Good Idea to Build without Plans or Planning Permission

Considering Buying / Renovating a Heritage Home? Pros and Cons

How to Plan your Heritage Home Renovation

and How Does my Design Process Work?

Whatsapp - +27 66 232 3776

bluedesigns5@gmail.com

http://www.bluedesigns.org/ 

I love Architecture. I think it's vital to talk about all aspects of Architecture - whether it be planning, construction, design or green building. I have written 3 E-Books & over 110 articles. Please feel free to let me know if you have any queries regarding architecture, planning & construction & I will assist you.

I am originally from the UK and moved to South Africa in 1999.  I started Blue Designs in 2004 after working as a driver for Avalon Construction on a luxury home in the Featherbrook Estate.  In my spare time I am an artist and writer (The Naked Architect - I believe in laying 'bare' the mysteries of Architecture and the Planning Process - and no I won't be taking my clothes off!)

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/258263907906727/ ).

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