In order to have their building project approved, builders must first submit a building application – however, it is not so easy to see at first glance what all needs to be taken into account. The following article lists and explains all of the documents that builders must submit in triplicate to the appropriate municipality for a complete building permit application.
First info about the building application
The documents that builders must include with their building application are called construction documents and vary from state to state. However, the documents listed below are basically the same as those required to be submitted in most states. Building owners can obtain official building forms from their municipality, which of course also comply with the requirements of the respective federal state. Builders can usually find information about this on their municipality’s website. The building application may be submitted by a person authorized to submit building documents, such as the architect of the planned new building. Overall, builders should expect to wait about two months for the municipality to issue a building permit. People who are willing to build should know that there are different approval procedures, which are mainly used to relieve the authorities. For example, in the simplified approval procedure, only individual points of the building application are examined, which also reduces the waiting time for building owners. In addition, there is also the permit exemption and the procedure-free construction project, which, however, is usually not applied in the field of house construction. However, the documents to be submitted, which are the subject of the following article, generally remain the same.
A complete building application includes the following documents:
- Building application form
- Real estate map
- Official site plan
- Construction drawing
- Building description
- Area calculations and construction costs
- Heat insulation certificate according to EnEV (Energy Saving Ordinance)
- Drainage plan
- Survey form for construction activity
- Proof of stability
For the building application, costs of approx. 0.4-0.5% of the construction price are also to be expected. Prospective builders cannot avoid the time and expense involved in submitting a building application: it is mandatory for almost all building projects. Violators can expect fines or even demolition of unlawfully constructed components. In all other respects, the building permit, once issued, is valid for up to three years.
1. building application form
Builders can download the building application form from their respective state office. By the way, the form for the preliminary building application can also be found here.
2. real estate map
The terms real estate map, parcel map or cadastral map designate the same object. In the real estate map, all parcels, buildings and, in the case of agricultural use, the actual type of use are marked. A parcel is an officially surveyed portion of the earth’s surface. The boundary between two parcels of land is usually straight. A plot of land includes one or more parcels. In the case of agricultural use, it is also indicated whether the area is used for arable farming or for growing fruit or vegetables, for example (read more about this here ). The real estate map can be ordered online from the respective cadastral or surveying office.
3. official site plan
The site plan is much more detailed than a section of the real estate map and consists mainly of a top view of the planned building. Here are also noted the builders, land registry information, terrain heights, trees and other details about the construction project. Compared to a section of the real estate map, which the developers can obtain from their responsible land registry office, a surveyor must be appointed for a site plan. This person creates a current and individual site plan for the respective property.
4. construction drawing
In the construction drawing or also the construction plan, the exact dimensions and materials for the planned construction are recorded. All specifications visually shown in the construction drawing must be adhered to by the companies involved in the construction. There are certain rules for what individual characters and lines stand for. To make different components, materials and cut surfaces recognizable, the draftsman uses different hatchings. And even if, for example, existing components are changed because of a conversion, this must be made clear on the construction drawing.
5. construction description
Excerpt from the building description. Form The construction description describes the planned construction project in more detail. This should include an explanation of what types of construction and materials will be used and how the building will be used. In addition, the building description should include information on heating and hot water preparation systems as well as building services equipment, such as ventilation systems. The building description for the building application can be written by the building owners as well as by a representative, for example the commissioned architect.
6. area calculations and construction costs
The area of a planned structure must be calculated according to certain standards. DIN 277 provides standards according to which the usable and traffic areas can be calculated uniformly. Builders need exact values in order to compare different properties based on the price per square meter.
In general, a distinction is made between usable and traffic areas. Circulation areas include entrances, elevators, and hallways. Usable space is considered to be living and recreation rooms and offices.
7. thermal insulation certificate according to EnEV (Energy Saving Ordinance)
Energy consultants of the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control are authorized to issue thermal insulation certificates for planned residential buildings. After the construction is completed, it is checked once again whether the previously specified values continue to be complied with. If this is the case, the building energy certificate is issued and handed over to the building owners.
8. drainage plan
The drainage plan will clarify how wastewater and stormwater will be drained from the property.
The property is shown on the drainage plan facing the north side. In addition, the parcel numbers and parcel boundaries of the property as well as those of the neighboring properties must be indicated. Information on the location of hydrants, pipes, small sewage treatment plants, cesspools, manholes and slopes on the property must also be included.
9. survey form for construction activity
All builders are required to fill out the survey form, which can be found on the website of the federal and state statistical offices and downloaded by specifying the respective state. The survey questionnaire is intended to help better assess economic development in the construction sector. In principle, the individual data collected is kept secret.
10. proof of stability
The stability certificate proves the stability of the planned building.
The terms ultimate limit state design, stability design or static analysis are also used synonymously. The stability certificate can be prepared by a structural engineer or structural engineer. In most cases, it is also possible to submit the proof of stability after the building application has been submitted.
Ask Almondia!
If you still have questions about house planning, just call us or write us a message. Almondia’s builder-consultants will be happy to help you!