Sydney Unit Renovations: Understanding Strata Approval

You already know a renovation can add real value to your unit. My job here is to help you clear the strata hurdles without stress and without guesswork. I have guided many Sydney owners through approvals. I use what consistently works, what committees look for, and where projects stumble. If you are planning apartment renovations Sydney, getting the approvals right at the start protects your timeline, your budget and your relationships with neighbours.

In this guide, I break down the types of works and the approvals they usually need, the documents that make a committee say yes, a realistic timeline, common traps to avoid, and how to pick a builder who knows strata rules inside out. You will walk away with a workable plan you can act on right now.

What Strata Approval Really Covers

Unit renovations fall into three broad groups. Each has a different approval pathway.

• Cosmetic work
• Typical examples: painting, attaching picture hooks, installing blinds, replacing internal door handles.
• Usually no approval is needed if the work does not change common property.
• Minor renovations
• Typical examples: new kitchen with the same layout, new bathroom fit-out that keeps existing waterproofed footprints, installing hard floors with acoustic underlay, built-in wardrobes fixed to internal walls, split system air conditioning that does not alter structure or facade.
• Usually needs owners corporation approval by ordinary resolution, often with conditions.
• Major work
• Typical examples: changes to waterproofing, moving or removing walls, changes to plumbing stacks, window replacements, changes to slab penetrations, anything structural, and work that impacts fire safety systems.
• Usually needs a special resolution at a general meeting and a by-law registered on title. Engineer involvement is common.

Your building’s by-laws can raise or lower thresholds for certain works. Read them first. If you are unsure which category your scope fits, ask the strata manager in writing and request a clear response.

The Approvals You May Need in NSW

Use this as a starting point and match it against your scheme’s by-laws.

• Cosmetic work
• No approval in most cases.
• Keep common property intact. Do not chase into slabs or alter waterproofing.
• Minor renovations
• Submit a written scope and drawings.
• Usually approved by ordinary resolution. Some schemes allow the strata committee to approve under delegation.
• Expect conditions on hours, waste, access and acoustic ratings.
• Major work
• Seek a special resolution and a custom by-law.
• Provide engineering design, certification, and a construction methodology.
• You may need dilapidation reports for neighbouring lots and common areas.

If your work touches waterproofing or structure, assume it is major work until told otherwise.

How To Set Yourself Up For a Smooth Approval

Get your paperwork complete and clear. Committees like certainty.

Have these ready before you submit:

• A plain-language scope that lists every change room by room
• Dimensioned plans and elevations with marked services
• Finishes schedule with product names and suppliers
• Acoustic plan for any hard flooring and test data for the underlay
• Waterproofing method and the licence details of your waterproofer
• Engineering drawings and certificates for any structural work
• Services plan for plumbing, electrical and ventilation
• Work method statement and site rules for dust, noise and waste
• Copy of your builder’s licence, insurances and warranties
• Proposed start date, duration and working hours
• A contact person for the builder and for you

If you include all of this, the committee has fewer questions. Fewer questions mean faster approvals.

Submission Timeline You Can Expect

Timeframes vary by building and meeting schedules. Plan for:

• 1 to 2 weeks to finalise drawings and documents
• 2 to 4 weeks if the strata committee can approve minor works
• 4 to 6 weeks for a general meeting for major works
• 2 to 4 weeks to draft and register a by-law if needed

From first inquiry to green light, a minor renovation can take 3 to 6 weeks. Major works can take 6 to 10 weeks or more. Aim to submit a complete package once, not a patchy one many times.

Common Pitfalls That Slow Approvals

Avoid these and you protect your start date.

• Vague scopes without drawings
• No acoustic data for hard flooring
• Waterproofing changes treated as minor
• Missing engineer sign-offs for wall changes
• Inadequate dust, noise or lift-protection plans
• Builder licences or insurances not attached
• Delivery schedules that clash with building rules
• Trades not pre-booked to match the approval window

Why I Recommend Fine Touch Group For Strata-Heavy Unit Projects

Choosing the right builder decides how hard your approval journey will be. Fine Touch Group stands out for a few practical reasons.

• They specialise in apartments across Sydney and manage strata approvals end to end. They report a 100% strata approval success rate.
• They have more than 30 years of experience and over 1,000 completed projects across many building types, from older walk-ups to high-rise towers.
• Their credentials are in order, including NSW builder licence 151772C and registered practitioner number BUP0001438.
• They provide fixed-price quotes with itemised inclusions. That helps you answer committee questions on costs and scope.
• Their in-house 3D kitchen and bathroom visuals help committees see the outcome, not guess at it.
• Their timeframes are defined, including typical 14-day bathroom and 18-day kitchen builds, with warranties that committees and owners value.
• They plan to minimise disruption, coordinate trades, protect common areas and keep neighbours informed. Committees notice that level of care.

You want a builder who speaks the same language as strata managers and building supervisors. Fine Touch Group does, and that removes friction you do not need.

A Simple Checklist You Can Copy

• Read your scheme’s renovation by-laws
• Decide if your scope is cosmetic, minor or major
• Ask the strata manager to confirm the pathway in writing
• Prepare drawings, scope, finishes and a method statement
• Add acoustic, waterproofing and engineering information
• Attach builder licence, insurance and warranty details
• Include a schedule, site rules and contact list
• Submit one complete package and request it be tabled at the next meeting
• Track the meeting date and follow up for minutes and conditions
• Lock in trades and materials only after formal approval

Final Thoughts

Strata approval in Sydney rewards clarity, complete documents and a builder who understands common property and committee expectations. If you set up your submission the right way, approvals move faster and construction runs cleaner.

If your unit renovation touches kitchens, bathrooms, flooring or layout changes, shortlist a partner who manages approvals daily. Fine Touch Group has the depth, the systems and the strata experience to guide you through with less friction. That keeps your focus on the finished space, not on paperwork.