To Certify or Not Certify your Bathroom

We often get asked do I need my bathroom Certified. The answer is yes and no. If you are renovating like for like, that is you are keeping exactly the same design in your bathroom and just updating with new tiles and fittings the answer is no you do not need certification.

However if you are considering removing a wall or linen press to make the bathroom bigger, changing window sizes (even smaller windows need certifying), removing a bath and changing to shower only or just relocating the bath, shower, or hand basin etc, you will need Certification. If you interfere with the waterproofing you will also need certification.

The cost of certification varies and will depend on whether you need an Engineer, Certifier or both. The approximate costs are $1000 – $2500. Costs vary depending on how many inspections are required.

Why should I get my renovation certified? This is to protect you for future. When you decide to sell, prospective buyers will always negotiate a lower buying price than the advertised price. If you have had work completed on your home your most valuable asset and it has not been certified, potential buyers will possibly be scared away and will also negotiate an even lower asking price to allow for non certified works.

Non certified works can cost new owners many thousands of dollars to rectify and get approved by the NT Building Advisory Service. We know of a case where one couple were quoted $30,000 – $70,000.

If a tradesperson or builder tells you do not need certification or they will not do it and you are changing the design from the original plans, please get a second opinion for your own protection. The NT Building Advisory Service will give you free advice.

Ask builders and tradesmen if you can check previous work completed and ask for references.