In July 2016, building approvals jumped by 11.3%, and, in seasonally adjusted terms, that's the largest increase in approvals in nearly a three year period. Approvals are expected to continue to rise through 2017. If you are in the midst of working on a building, you may be worried about the approvals department being busy or overloaded when you request your approval. As a result, it's important to focus on streamlining the process. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

1. Start the process earlier.

If you are worried about dealing with a busy building approvals office, you should get started on the process as soon as possible. Don't wait until the last minute, as that may cause unnecessary delays in using your building. Instead, start early and make sure that you are on top of everything. If you are ahead of schedule, delays have the least impact possible.

2. Have proof of court orders or permissions.

If any aspect of your building affects others or encroaches on their land, make sure that you have the correct permission in place to build. For example, imagine that you are adding an extension to your home and it is closer to your neighbour's property line than normally allowed. The building inspector will notice that and ask to see what type of consent you have obtained. Whether you have court orders, written permission from the other party or any other type of consent, have copies of those documents organised and on hand.

3. Work with a knowledgeable builder.

Builders also play a role in the building approvals process, and, if you want to increase the chances that your approval will go as quickly as possible, you need to ensure that your builder is knowledgeable about the approvals process.

To that end, your builder should know about and be compliant with building standards. He or she should also have experience with projects that have been approved, or he or she should be educated about the approvals process.

4. Consult with a specialist.

If you are seeking approval on a building, you may want to consult with a building approvals specialist. They can help you ensure that you have the right documents in place. They can also help you fill out the forms and advise you on the inspection process.

When you are investing time and energy into a building project, you don't want to be stymied at the end because you cannot get the project approved. Because of that, you should carefully consider what you need to do to succeed. This is especially important now as building approvals departments across the country seem to be busier than they have been in a while. For more information, talk to a building approval company like Thomas Independent Certification.