Section 94 / DA Reports – Expert Quantity Surveying Services

Accurate and Council-Compliant Section 94 / DA Cost Reports in Australia

As chartered and accredited professionals, we deliver a wide range of commercial services to support the construction industry. Below is a brief overview of our key service offerings:

At Tate & Sons, we specialise in preparing accurate and council-approved Section 94 and DA Reports to support the Development Application (DA) process. Our reports provide precise construction cost estimates, ensuring compliance with local council regulations while mitigating approval delays and cost-related disputes.

What is a Section 94 / DA Cost Report?

A Section 94 Report, also known as an Infrastructure Contributions Report, is required by councils to assess developer contributions for essential infrastructure, including roads, parks, and community services.

A DA Cost Report, prepared by a registered quantity surveyor, provides an independent and accurate construction cost estimate for development projects. Most councils in New South Wales, Queensland, and across Australia require this report as part of the DA approval and Section 94 contributions calculations.

Why is a Quantity Surveyor DA Report Required?

Local councils require an independently verified quantity surveying report to ensure the accuracy of construction cost estimates submitted with Development Applications (DAs).

These reports serve as a critical assessment tool in calculating Section 94 developer contributions, preventing overpayment or underestimation of costs.

A DA cost report ensures that all financial contributions align with current Australian construction costs, protecting both developers and councils from inaccurate valuations.

In addition to supporting regulatory compliance, an accurate cost estimate streamlines the DA approval process, reducing the risk of delays due to discrepancies in cost projections.

Furthermore, councils trust reports prepared by registered quantity surveyors because they provide an independent and reliable assessment of project costs.

This transparency is essential for all stakeholders, including developers, architects, town planners, investors, and project managers.

Whether for new builds, renovations, commercial projects, or large-scale infrastructure, an accurate DA cost report is a crucial component of the development approval process.

Regulatory Compliance – Councils require a registered quantity surveyor to prepare cost reports for DA submissions.
Accurate Cost Estimation – Ensures transparency and prevents overpayment or underestimation of developer contributions.
Streamlined DA Approval – Reduces the risk of delays by providing a council-compliant cost report.
Independent and Reliable Assessment – Recognised by councils, developers, and investors as a key component of financial planning and project feasibility.
Applicable to Residential, Commercial, and Infrastructure Developments – Essential for new builds, renovations, and large-scale projects.

Our Section 94 / DA Report Process

At Tate & Sons, we follow a structured and council-compliant methodology to prepare DA cost reports. The process begins with a detailed project evaluation, where we review architectural plans, engineering specifications, and project documentation to understand the full scope of works.

Once we have assessed the project details, we conduct an independent construction cost estimate, using up-to-date industry benchmarks to ensure accuracy. Our itemised cost breakdown provides transparency and aligns with council expectations.

The next step involves the compilation of a comprehensive DA cost report, formatted to meet local government requirements. This report is prepared in accordance with Australian Standards and quantity surveying best practices.

In cases where councils require additional clarification, we provide submission assistance by liaising with planning authorities to address any queries.

Finally, we ensure timely delivery of reports to align with DA submission deadlines, helping developers, architects, and consultants meet their project schedules without unnecessary delays.

Project Evaluation – Review of architectural plans, engineering specifications, and project scope.
Cost Estimation – Preparation of an independent, itemised construction cost estimate in accordance with current market rates.
Report Compilation – Development of a detailed, council-compliant DA cost report.
Submission Assistance – Support with document submission and liaising with councils where required.
Timely Delivery – Ensuring prompt report turnaround to align with DA submission deadlines.

Who Requires a Section 94 / DA Report?

A DA cost report is essential for a wide range of industry professionals and property stakeholders. Property developers require these reports for Development Application (DA) submissions, ensuring that estimated construction costs align with council expectations. Architects and designers benefit from DA cost reports by gaining greater confidence in project budgeting, avoiding unexpected cost overruns that could impact design feasibility.

For town planners and consultants, these reports provide critical data that support council compliance and approvals, ensuring all planning requirements are met efficiently.

Homeowners undertaking significant renovations or new residential developments also require DA cost reports to verify construction costs and streamline the approval process.

Commercial and residential builders benefit from these reports by ensuring accurate cost forecasting and financial planning, while investors and project managers use them to assess project viability and compliance with Australian construction cost standards.

Who Requires a Section 94 / DA Report?

Project Evaluation – Review of architectural plans, engineering specifications, and project scope.
Cost Estimation – Preparation of an independent, itemised construction cost estimate in accordance with current market rates.
Report Compilation – Development of a detailed, council-compliant DA cost report.
Submission Assistance – Support with document submission and liaising with councils where required.
Timely Delivery – Ensuring prompt report turnaround to align with DA submission deadlines.