Permits for Stratco and other kit verandahs and sheds

Key points

• Kit structures need permits just like custom builds.
• Kit paperwork usually includes engineering, drawings and footing details.
• You still need a site plan, siting compliance and the right wind rating for your address.
• Changes to the standard design need to be covered by the engineering.
• Easy Permits is independent and works with kits from any supplier.

Kit structures still need permits

Verandah, patio, carport and shed kits from suppliers such as Stratco, Lysaght, Fielders, Ranbuild and others are designed and engineered as products. That makes the permit simpler, because much of the structural information already exists. But the permit is about your structure on your block, so it still needs to be assessed against the building rules for your site.

In Victoria and Queensland, the rules about whether a permit is needed are the same for a kit as for a custom build. A roofed structure attached to the house, or a shed above the small-structure limits, almost always needs one. See verandah permits and shed permits.

What the kit paperwork usually covers

Every supplier is different, but kit documentation typically includes:

• Engineering for the structure, often as certified tables or computations for a range of sizes and wind classifications.
• Drawings of the frame, roof and connections.
• Footing details for the soil and wind conditions the design covers.
• Product information on the roofing, steel and fixings.

This is valuable. It usually means a separate engineer isn't needed, which saves time and cost.

What you still need

The kit paperwork doesn't cover the parts that depend on your site:

• A site plan showing your house, the structure, the boundaries, easements and neighbouring buildings.
• Siting compliance. Setbacks, height near boundaries, site coverage and front setback rules all depend on where the structure goes.
• The right wind classification. The engineering must match your site's wind conditions. A design engineered for one classification may not suit a more exposed or cyclonic site.
• Connections to the house. If the structure attaches to your home, the connection needs to be covered.
• Extra approvals, such as council consent, a planning permit or easement consent, if your site needs them.

Common issues with kit structures

Standard sizes that don't fit the block. Kits come in set sizes. If a standard size is too long for a boundary or too high near the fence, a slightly smaller or lower configuration often solves it.

Wind rating mismatches. It's worth confirming the wind classification before ordering, especially in Queensland.

Engineering that doesn't cover the exact configuration. If you add an extension, change the roof pitch or attach to the house in a non-standard way, the engineering needs to cover it.

Questions to ask your supplier

• Does the engineering cover the exact size, roof pitch and configuration I'm ordering?

• Which wind classifications does it cover, and does that include my address?

• Does it cover attaching the structure to my house, if that's what I'm doing?

• What footing sizes does it specify for my soil and wind conditions?

• Does the quote include arranging the permit, or is that up to me?

• If the kit is modified on site, who confirms the engineering still applies?

• Is the documentation in a form a building surveyor or certifier can rely on?

How we work with your kit

1. You send us the quote or plans from your supplier, plus the engineering if you have it.
2. We check the site: boundaries, overlays, easements and wind conditions.
3. We prepare the site plan and match it with the kit's drawings and engineering.
4. If your supplier can't provide suitable engineering, we can quote a panel engineer for you.
5. We lodge the application with a licensed building surveyor or certifier, and handle any extra approvals with your agreement.

Easy Permits is independent. We work with kits from any supplier.

Check your kit on your block

Before you order, run the free check. It places the structure on your real property boundary and tests it against the rules for your state, so you can choose the size and position that complies. See how the permit works in Victoria and Queensland.