Whether you’re planning on building a carport, patio, pergola, verandah or deck, one of the regular concerns for homeowners is meeting council regulations and other authority needs. We know, because it’s one of the first questions we’re often asked when we come to discuss a project.

The reason for the concern and sometimes confusion is real. Every local government has different building regulations and the approval process can also vary significantly. So too can the costs involved. Plus, depending on where you live, you may need to meet additional requirements, such as heritage listing regulations, local environment plan guidelines and bushfire prone area protection requirements.

The good news is that if you choose to have your carport, patio, pergola, verandah or deck built by Outside Concepts, we’ll help clear up the confusion for you. Our branch managers are local people who have the knowledge and experience to know what council regulations and other authority needs have to be met. Plus, if a permit is required, they understand the application process and can often get approval quicker than if you applied yourself.

While designing and building an outside structure that meet your needs and your budget is high on their agenda, making sure the structure is built in accordance with all regulations and legal construction requirements is also a priority.

Take this double carport, in the Melbourne suburb of South Yarra as an example. It faced a number of heritage listing hurdles, including setback restrictions on both the front and side boundaries, and height limitations. These restrictions were met relatively easily, by building a shallow gable carport that was perfectly positioned to overcome the setback restrictions.

A more difficult requirement was the need to render the carport in rough cast – a popular finish in Melbourne period homes – to match the walls of the heritage listed house. Ron Matz from Outside Concepts in Kew and his team had to experiment with various mixes and application methods to find a finish that worked. The effort was worth it, however, as not only were the regulations met, the finish matched the house perfectly and looked fantastic.

So, if you’re considering building a carport, patio, pergola, verandah or deck and are concerned by regulations, don’t be. Give Outside Concepts a call and we’ll look after everything for you!

Find out about Outside Concepts’ 10-year structural warranty. Call us on 1800 601 674.