A recent article highlighted the case of homeowners who had lived long-term in a caravan park in northern Tasmania, only to find themselves stuck when regulatory changes and park bylaws left their dwellings unsellable.

These structures, originally intended to be removable and temporary, had undergone extensive renovations over time with permanent fixtures like decks, pergolas, and sheds. The result? Non-compliance with the evolving regulations governing the caravan parks in the state — and owners caught in a bind.

For professional renovators, designers, and builders, this case serves as a timely reminder: compliance is not just red tape; it’s central to protecting both your clients’ investments and your own professional standing.

For many clients, the excitement of renovating is about lifestyle improvements: a new deck, a modern kitchen, or creating space for evolving needs. But behind every project is a framework of planning codes, building standards, and local requirements.

Ignoring these rules - or failing to explain them to clients - can create big problems down the line. A seemingly simple decision, like extending a pergola or awning beyond setback limits, can shift a project from exempt development into something bigger. For the best professional renovators, these compliance decisions are not an afterthought - they’re central to diligent project planning and delivery.

As a professional renovator, your role goes beyond creating functional and beautiful living spaces. You’re also a trusted advisor - guiding clients through the regulatory environment - ensuring that your client’s investment is sound, safe, and legal.

Providing professional guidance to your clients means:

• Knowing what’s exempt development and when approvals are required.
• Identifying when a project crosses into works that require planning permission or certification.
• Advising clients on the risks of non-compliant works — even if “everyone else in the park/street/suburb is doing it.”

Getting this right protects not only your clients but crucially, also safeguards your own professional reputation.

Even experienced builders can run into compliance traps. Each of these “gotchas” can quickly escalate from a simple renovation to a compliance headache. Some of the most common include:.

1. Exempt vs. Complying Development
Many smaller works—like sheds, decks, or pergolas—fall under “exempt development” if they meet strict size and placement rules. But once dimensions creep up or site conditions vary, those same works may require full council approval. Even interior alterations like a change of use of an existing space can trigger approval requirements. Professionals need to be across these thresholds to avoid costly mistakes and risks.

2. Class 2 Buildings: Apartments and Secondary Dwellings
Renovating apartments or attached dwellings brings a new layer of complexity. In Class 2 buildings, changes can impact fire safety, acoustics, or structural integrity, often requiring approvals from strata, certifiers, and councils. Even small internal changes can carry big compliance risks if not managed properly. Additional accreditation and project planning requirements are common in most jurisdictions.

3. Heritage and Conservation Constraints
Clients may not realise their property sits in a heritage zone or conservation area. Adding a deck, replacing windows, repairing roofing or even exterior repainting in some cases can trigger additional approval requirements. Heritage-sensitive renovations require careful design to both satisfy regulators and achieve client goals.

4. Permanent Fixtures in Temporary Zones
Like the caravan park example, any “temporary” or removable structure that’s altered to become permanent can create a regulatory breach. Professionals should flag these risks early and guide clients toward compliant scope and design alternatives.

5. Fire, Accessibility and Safety Upgrades
With more clients seeking aging-in-place solutions, works like ramps, widened doorways, or bathroom modifications may seem straightforward. But unless planned to code, these changes may fail to meet accessibility standards, limiting their long-term usability and resale value. Furthermore, alterations or conversions can trigger additional compliance obligations around fire separation, accessibility, ventilation, or energy efficiency. Lastly, changes to fencing and other structures around pools must be done carefully to ensure safety compliance.

For Designers, Builders and Trades, the implications of cutting corners or missing compliance issues can be serious. Compliance demands your attention for a number of reasons:

• Reputation Damage – Word travels fast. Being associated with works later found to be non-compliant or unapproved can erode trust with both prospective clients and industry peers.
• Legal Liability – If works are non-compliant, responsibility may fall back on the professional who designed, certified, or built them. This could lead to insurance claims, disputes or penalties.
• License Risk – Taking on Class 2 work without the proper accreditation isn’t just risky — it could put your licence at real risk.
• Financial Exposure – Rectification costs for non-compliant works can be significant, often exceeding what was saved by avoiding approvals in the first place.
• Client Fallout – Clients stuck with unsellable or unsafe properties won’t just be disappointed — they may seek compensation.

Getting it right means avoiding all of the above while positioning yourself as a trusted professional who safeguards client investments.

Step 1: Start with a Regulatory Check
Before designing concepts or providing quotes, assess the site’s regulatory context: zoning, overlays, lot size, setbacks, easements, and classification. A quick compliance check and review upfront could save you weeks of wasted effort, taking on unknown risks, and running into issues later on.

Step 2: Educate Clients Early
Clients often underestimate the impact of compliance. Make design decisions or approval triggers part of the conversation from day one. Frame it as protecting their investment and maximising their budget, not just ticking boxes.

Step 3: Know Your Own Limits
Be clear on what jobs your licence and accreditation does and does not allow you to take on. Partner with suitably accredited professionals, where needed. Be disciplined and willing to walk away from a job if you are not set up for success and risk your reputation or licence.

Step 4: Document and Communicate Clearly
Clear documentation is your best defence. Provide drawings, notes, and council references that show how your proposal aligns with codes. This builds trust with clients and provides a record if compliance is questioned later.

Step 5: Partner with Certifiers and Planners
For projects with grey areas, an early consult with a certifier or town planner can clarify requirements and areas for further discussion. Building these partnerships helps you move projects forward efficiently while protecting the interests of your clients, and your business.

Step 6: Stay Updated
Regulations evolve. What was exempt five years ago may now trigger approvals. Keep yourself and your team up to date with ongoing training and reading industry news through relevant industry bodies to avoid relying on outdated information and knowledge.

Digital tools are no longer optional—they’re essential for efficient, compliant renovations.

Some useful categories include:

• Project Estimators: Calculate costs with compliance thresholds in mind (e.g., decks under exempt limits).
• Site Measure Apps: Use AR or LiDAR-enabled tools like Landid to capture accurate dimensions before design work begins.
• Regulation Checklists: Create digital checklists help ensure nothing is overlooked, from setbacks to energy efficiency.
• Collaboration Platforms: Keep clients, certifiers, and subcontractors on the same page with centralised communication.

Regulatory compliance isn’t about slowing projects down — it’s about ensuring that the work you deliver adds lasting value, doesn’t expose your clients to unnecessary risk, and strengthens your reputation as a trusted professional. As professional renovators, we do more than build - we protect our clients’ investments.

The caravan park case may feel far removed from your day-to-day projects, but the lesson is universal: non-compliance can trap owners, cost money, and damage professional reputations.

Professional renovators play a critical role in compliance. By leading with compliance, educating clients, and pricing projects realistically, we deliver value that lasts far beyond the final coat of paint.

Ready to streamline compliance and improve profitability in your renovation projects? Explore how digital estimators and project tools can give you an edge—and set your next renovation project up for success.