Definition
What is a QP submission in Singapore?
A QP submission in Singapore is the formal lodgement of building plans with the Building & Construction Authority (BCA) by a Qualified Person — a registered architect or Professional Engineer appointed under the Building Control Act. For structural works, the QP must be a PE in the civil branch. The QP prepares the plans, submits them through BCA's CORENET-X gateway, responds to authority queries, and supervises the works through to completion.
The QP role goes beyond drawing preparation: it is a statutory appointment with continuing duties. The QP certifies that the design complies with the Building Control Act and regulations, supervises the carrying out of the works, and notifies BCA of contraventions. This is why QP appointment matters — the appointed engineer is personally answerable for the project's regulatory compliance.
When do you need a QP?
- Structural building works — new openings in structural elements, hacking of structural walls beyond simple cases, mezzanine floors, extensions and reinforcement works.
- A&A projects — additions and alterations to existing buildings requiring plan approval. See renovation A&A PE endorsement.
- New structures — from small ancillary structures to full buildings, subject to project category.
- Regularisation — where works were carried out without approval, a QP prepares and submits plans to regularise them, subject to the works being assessable and compliant.
- Demolition works — plan submission and supervision requirements apply.
Not every project requires a full QP submission — some works need only PE endorsement, and some are exempt altogether. We advise honestly which path applies, subject to authority requirements.
Our QP submission service
- Feasibility & scoping — we review your intended works against the Building Control regime and confirm the submission category, documents required and realistic timeline.
- Design & documentation — structural plans and calculations prepared or reviewed by our PE; coordination with your architect, ID or contractor.
- CORENET-X lodgement — submission through BCA's digital gateway in the required format, including BIM deliverables where mandated.
- RFI management — we respond to authority requests for information and resubmit until the plans are approved, keeping you informed at each cycle.
- Supervision & completion — statutory site supervision during construction, followed by completion certifications required for the works.
QP vs PE — the difference in one paragraph
Every QP for structural works is a PE, but not every PE engagement is a QP appointment. PE endorsement certifies the engineering of specific works; QP appointment adds the statutory role of submitting to BCA and supervising the project. If your MCST wants a letter confirming a wall is safe to hack, that is PE endorsement. If BCA must approve plans before your contractor builds a mezzanine, that is a QP submission — usually with PE-endorsed calculations inside it.
Why appoint Pec.sg as your QP
- Registered and verifiable — Er. David Zheng Zhijian, PE Civil Reg. No. 4385, appears on every submission.
- First-pass focus — complete, well-calculated submissions that minimise RFI cycles.
- Fixed fees — quoted in writing before appointment, inclusive of stated RFI rounds.
- One consultancy, both branches — civil/structural QP work plus mechanical endorsements under one roof.
All submissions and approvals remain subject to BCA's assessment, applicable regulations and site conditions.
Practical notes
What owners should know before appointing a QP
Appoint before design is finalised, not after. The most expensive submissions are the ones where a layout was fixed, quoted and sold to the owner before any engineer checked whether it could be approved. Involving the QP at concept stage costs nothing extra and prevents redesign later.
The QP's duties continue after approval. Statutory supervision means our engineer reviews the structural works as they are built — checking that what was approved is what is being constructed. Owners sometimes see this as an optional extra; it is not, and it protects you as much as it satisfies BCA.
Budget for the whole path. A realistic project budget includes the submission fee, any site investigation the design requires, supervision during construction and completion certification. Our quotations itemise all of these upfront so there are no mid-project surprises.
Keep the approved documents. Approved plans and completion certificates are part of your property's permanent record — they matter at resale, during future renovations and in any dispute. We hand over a complete documentation set at project close.
FAQ
QP submission — common questions
What is a Qualified Person (QP) in Singapore?
A Qualified Person is a registered architect or Professional Engineer formally appointed under the Building Control Act to prepare and submit building plans to BCA, and to supervise the building works. For structural works, the QP must be a PE in the civil branch. The QP carries statutory duties and personal liability for the submission and supervision.
Do all renovations need a QP submission to BCA?
No. Minor works that do not affect structure are often exempt, and some works need only PE endorsement without a full BCA submission. Works involving structural changes — new openings in structural walls, mezzanines, extensions — generally require a QP submission. We will confirm which path applies after reviewing your scope, subject to authority requirements.
What is CORENET-X?
CORENET-X is BCA's integrated digital submission gateway, progressively replacing the legacy CORENET system. Submissions are made through a single portal with coordinated responses from multiple agencies. We prepare and lodge submissions in the format CORENET-X requires, including BIM deliverables where mandated for larger projects.
How long does BCA approval take after QP submission?
Authority review times vary with project category and completeness of the submission — commonly several weeks for straightforward structural plans. Well-prepared first submissions with clean calculations significantly reduce RFI cycles. Timelines are indicative and subject to authority review.
Can you take over as QP from another engineer mid-project?
Yes, QP replacement is provided for in the regulatory framework. It involves formal notification to BCA and our own due-diligence review of the works to date, since the incoming QP assumes supervision duties. We handle the transition paperwork and set out clearly any items requiring rectification before we accept appointment.
Need a QP for your BCA submission?
WhatsApp your drawings and project scope — we will confirm the submission path and quote a fixed fee.