Building Consent Inspections
When are inspections required?
The number of inspections required varies between sites and is dependent on the type and size of the project. Inspections will often be needed as each stage of building work is completed, in order to ensure the work done meets the consent requirements.
Staged consents are when separate applications are submitted for different stages of the building process. This process can be useful when the building work is for things such as multi-story buildings/units or large public buildings.
Missed inspections can be detrimental to the end sign-off for the building. By getting each required stage of the build inspected, you can ensure that the end result of the building is legal, and meets all the requirements as set out in the building consent.
Generally, gas and electrical work is not required to be inspected by Council, as it is completed by independent agencies.
Visit this page for guidance on what will be looked at during an inspection
Third party inspections
The building consent will require a number of Council inspections to be carried out during the project. Remember to book inspections as you complete stages of your project. Sometimes it is necessary for specialists to do inspections in addition to those done by Council. If third party construction monitoring (e.g. by your engineer) has been agreed, these inspections will be listed in the consent documentation provided to you.
How to book an inspection
Contact Council on 03 319 5026 ext.202 to organise an inspection.
Things you will need to book an inspection
- Date and preferred time for the inspection to occur (morning or afternoon)
- Your building consent number
- The site location/address
- The type of inspection required
- The contact details of the person who will be on-site at the time of the visit (phone number/email)
- The Licenced Building Practitioner (LBP) name and registration number (for restricted building work inspections)
Please try to give as much notice as possible, as documentation needs to be organised by Council in order to properly carry out the inspection.
You can read about the different types and guidance for building inspections here.
Access and information for inspection day
Because you have booked an inspection, you are granting the inspector access to your property and building site on the specified day
You will need to have your consent documents available for the inspector when they visit your site. You or your builder will need to be available to answer any questions that the inspector may have and provide information on the build. The time it takes for your inspection will vary.
Verification of construction to consented documents
The purpose of the inspection is to verify that the work being inspected is in accordance with the consented documents. Any deviation from the consented documents will be noted by the inspector and a directive given by the inspector to you, to either remedy or seek an amendment to consent for example.
An inspection can achieve two results, a pass or fail. The Building Control Officer can pass an inspection when all work being inspected is for example, 96% complete but they can not pass an inspection that was far from ready.
Recording of inspection findings
The inspector will provide you with a copy of a site report which covers areas he/she has inspected and any observations/directives noted. The inspection report will show either a pass or fail outcome.
You may be asked to stop work or continue with conditions (conditional continuation) if the inspector fails the inspection or work is non-compliant or unsafe.
Non-compliant building work during inspection
Notice to fix (NTF)
It is our goal to ensure that the work being undertaken matches the consent approved documents and our officers will work with you to achieve compliance. In some circumstances the inspector may be required to issue a Notice to Fix.
Read more on Issuing Notices to Fix here.
