Request and obtain a Soil Test
Agency: Private laboratory
Based on Chapter 4 of the Guyana Standard Code of Practice for Buildings – Part 13: Foundations for excavations GCP 9-13:2005, a soil test is required for the foundation of a warehouse.
Time and cost: 20 days, USD 1,000
Obtain a topographical map
Agency: Private Engineer
Although a topographical study is not required by law it is performed in practice as a technical requirement to have proper foundations.
Time and cost: 15 days, USD 1,100
Request and obtain approval of the water and the septic plans
Agency: Guyana Water Inc
According to Article 3.11.1, BuildCo must have the septic plans approved by the Guyana Water Inc, which is obtained within two weeks with follow-Up.
Time and cost: 14 days, no charge
Obtain building permit from Mayor and City Council
Agency: Mayor and City Council
The Mayor and the City Council have the authority to issue the building permit. Three copies of the plans must be submitted to the Mayor and City Council to begin the application process. The copies are then forwarded to the Central Housing and Planning Authority and to the Public Health Department. However, in practice, it is common for the applicant to contact the Central Housing and Planning Authority separately. In fact, if the applicant does not follow up with both agencies, the process can take longer than 3 months.
Time and cost: 90 days, GYD 25,000
Obtain planning permit from Central Housing and Planning Authority
Agency: Central Housing and Planning Authority
The Central Housing and Planning Authority revises the plans and forwards them to the Fire Department and the Environmental Protection Agency. When the plans come back from both agencies, the Board of the Central Housing and Planning Authority approves and issues the planning permit. Follow-up is required with the Fire Department.
Time and cost: 90 days, GYD 30,000
Follow up with Fire Department on building permit
Agency: Fire Department
Because the Fire Department is not part of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, follow-up is necessary to allow the Fire Department to make proposals or changes to the original plan.
Time and cost: 90 days, no charge
Request partial project clearance from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
A complete project clearance is not needed for the case study. However, it is common practice for BuildCo to submit the required documents to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the complete project clearance. After an examination the agency could rule that the project “will not significantly affect the environment.” This process usually takes 5 days and there is no charge (also see Environmental Protection Act section 11 (2)).
Time and cost: 5 day, no charge
Receive setting-out inspection
Agency: Central Housing and Planning Authority
According to the Guyana Code Practice – Building Regulations, BuildCo must submit form 1A to request the inspection for the setting-out. The submission must be made 2 days prior the inspection and re-confirm 1 day before the inspection.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive excavation and foundation inspection
Agency: Central Housing and Planning Authority
BuildCo must submit Form 1B to request this inspection. This request must be made 2 days prior to the inspection and reconfirmed 24 hours prior to the inspection.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive ground floor slab inspection
Agency: Central Housing and Planning Authority
BuildCo submits Form 1C to request this inspection 2 days prior and reconfirms it 24 hours before it takes place.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive plumbing and electrical roughing-in inspection
Agency: Central Housing and Planning Authority
BuildCo submits Form 1D to request this information 48 hours prior and reconfirms it 24 hours before it takes place.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive walls, columns and beams inspection
Agency: Central Housing and Planning Authority
Buildco completes and submits Form 1 E 48 hours prior to the inspection and must reconfirm 24 hours before the inspection takes place.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request and receive the roof structure inspection
Agency: Central Housing and Planning Authority
BuildCo submits form 1F to request this inspection
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive inspection and obtain approval upon completion of project from Fire Department
Agency: Fire Department
Once the series of phase inspections are finalized, BuildCo. can receive a final inspection from the Fire Department.
Time and cost: 60 days, no charge
Request and obtain the Occupancy Certificate
Agency: Central Housing and Planning Authority
According to Article 10 of the Guyana Code of practice – Building regulations, BuildCo must sign and issue the builder’s certificate attesting that he has carried out the construction in compliance with the approved plans and the terms of the building permit. This form will be used by the Central Housing and Planning Authority to issue the occupancy permit.
There will be no final inspection by the Central Housing and Planning Authority before issuing the occupancy permit, unless there are doubts that the building is not in compliance.
Time and cost: 14 days, no charge
Receive inspection prior to the installation of the septic tank and awaits approval
Agency: Guyana Water Inc.
In periurban Georgetown, there is no access to sewerage. A construction such as the Doing Business case study warehouse would use a septic tank, which can be built by BuildCo. employees.
Time and cost: 14 days, GYD 150,000
Obtain water connection from Guyana Water Inc.
Agency: Guyana Water Inc.
Upon obtaining for the Occupancy Certificate, BuildCo. can receive the water connection, which runs in parallel with the construction of the septic tank.
Time and cost: 14 days, GYD 40,000
Build septic tank
Agency: Private firm
Time and cost: 10 days, GYD 500,000
