All building works, except those which are exempted under the Building Control Act, will require building plan approval. The list of exempted building works is given in `The Schedule' of the Building Control Act.

The application for approval of plans must be accompanied by fees computed according to the First Schedule of the Building Control Regulations. Generally, the prescribed fee is computed as in the following:

1. $300 for every 100m2 or part thereof of the first 2500m2, and $200 for every subsequent 100m2 or part thereof, of the statistical gross floor area of the building in respect of which the building works are to be carried out;
2. except as provided in paragraph (c), where the building works consist of repairs, alterations and additions to an existing building, $200 for each storey of the building;
3. where the building works consist of repairs, alterations or additions to an existing non-residential building which involves the submission of structural plans, $400 for each storey of the building;
4. where the alterations and additions to an existing bulding involve increasing the floor area of the building, $300 for every 100m2 or part thereof of the first 2500m2, and $200 for every subsequent 100m2 or part thereof, of the increase in floor area, in addition to the fee specified in paragraph (b) and (c)
5. where the building works depart or deviate from the approved plans of the building works, $200 for each storey of a building in respect of which the departure or deviation is to be made;
6. where any departure or deviation results in an increase of the floor area of a building in respect of which the application is made, $300 for every 100m2 or part thereof of the first 2500m2, and $200 for every subsequent 100m2 or part thereof, in respect of which the departure or deviation is to be made, in addition to the fee specified in paragraph (e).

Where the plans are disapproved or withdrawn, there will be no refund of plan fee.

Yes. Building plan fee are chargeable for these buildings as they are classified as "other area" under the Statistical Gross Floor Area (SGFA) as stipulated in the First Schedule of the Building Control Regulations 2003.

Yes. You can submit building plan in phases. However, you have to ensure that the completion and occupation of these building works will not affect the planning conditions and the use of the communal facilities.

The Qualified Person (QP), or any professional engineer appointed by the applicant or the QP, may prepare the calculations.

You should obtain a permit from the BCA to commence the building works within 24 months from the date of approval and apply for a Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC) or Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) on completion of works.

The approval granted in respect of the building works will automatically lapse:

1. if the written permission granted by the competent authority under the Planning Act lapses;
2. if the building works are not commenced within the prescribed period;
3. in cases where no written permission is granted under section 14 of the Planning Act in respect of those building works, if the building works are suspended for a continuous period more than 6 months.

The Commissioner of Building Control may, at his discretion, grant further extension, provided that the written permission granted under the Planning Act is still valid. However, the request for extension should be made before the approval lapses.