How long does NBN pit and pipe design take?
What our two-week turnaround covers, what can stretch it, and the NBN stages that follow the design.
Reviewed 14 October 2026
In short: NBN Design turns plans around within two weeks of receiving complete CAD plans. After that, NBN reviews the design, your contractor builds it, NBN reviews the as-builts and inspects, and NBN then installs its network. NBN sets its own timeframes for those steps, so plan the design early, ideally as soon as your lot layout is settled.
Our part: two weeks
The clock starts when we have complete CAD plans and the premises count. Design time itself depends mostly on size: a 10 lot subdivision is around two hours of design work, and a 100 lot stage is around two days. The rest of the two weeks covers checking, questions back to you, and fitting each job into the queue.
What can stretch it
- Incomplete plans. Missing kerbs, driveways, lot numbers or existing services. See preparing CAD plans.
- Poor quality CAD. Plans that are not to scale, or PDFs that have to be traced.
- Difficult sites. Transformers, retaining walls, laneways or tight frontages that limit where pits can go.
- Changes after we start. A new lot layout or driveway plan means part of the design is redone.
If any of these apply, we tell you when we receive the plans, not at the end.
After the design: NBN's stages
- 1
Design
Within two weeks of complete CAD plans.
- 2
NBN design review
NBN reviews the uploaded design and accepts it or returns comments. Comments on our design are actioned at no extra charge.
- 3
Construction
Your contractor builds the pits and conduits, usually alongside the other civil works.
- 4
As-builts and practical completion
We prepare the as-built design from your contractor's records. You upload it with the Notice of Practical Completion, and NBN reviews it and inspects the site.
- 5
Certificate and network install
NBN issues the Certificate of Practical Completion, installs its network and confirms when the site is in service.
NBN's timeframes for review, inspection and network installation are set by NBN and can vary. Check them with your NBN contact for your development.
How to keep the whole job moving
- Start the design as soon as the lot layout is stable, before civil works are tendered.
- Give us driveway and transformer positions up front.
- Keep the premises count in the design and in your stage application the same.
- Make sure your contractor builds to the accepted design, with draw cords, end caps and labelled service drops, so the as-builts pass first time.
- Pre-install the connection box at each home, ideally at frame stage, as NBN recommends.
Why trained designers matter
NBN runs free training for new developments designers and installers. Designers who reach NBN's highest training level, Trained Premium, get instant design acceptance without NBN's pre-acceptance review. Whatever designer you use, a design that is right first time is the biggest saving in the whole process.
Timeline questions
How long does NBN pit and pipe design take?
NBN Design turns plans around within two weeks of receiving complete CAD plans. Poor quality CAD, missing information or difficult sites can add time, and we say so up front.
How long does NBN take to review a design?
NBN sets its own review timeframes, and they can vary. Designs from NBN Trained Premium designers get instant acceptance without pre-acceptance review.
When should I start the NBN design?
As soon as your lot layout is stable, ideally before civil works are tendered, so the pit and pipe can be built with the other services.