Building inspection requirements

Your consent information will set out the inspections required, who will undertake them and the supporting evidence required.

For example, if ground compaction tests are required, it is up to the owner/project manager to arrange for these tests and certifications to take place.

Any costs are not part of the fees paid to the Council. These are a separate fee paid to the engineer or other professional.

The process

Step 1.Site safety

Site safety is the responsibility of the project manager, contractor or owner. We ask you to ensure our inspectors are safe while they carry out the inspection.

Safe access to the site and required work areas will also be required on any inspection undertaken by the Council.

Step 2.Booking an inspection

Please book inspections well ahead, to ensure the time is convenient for you and to help us with our planning.

To make a booking, you will need give the following:

your Building Consent number
the site location/address
the name and registration number of the Licensed Building Practitioner (as required)
the name and contact phone number of the person who will be on-site at the time of the inspection.

To book inspections, please contact our Building Department booking office, phone: 09 430 4224.

Step 3.Undertaking the inspection

Please ensure that all consented documents, amendments and relevant paperwork are available on site. If they are not, the inspector will be unable to continue and fail the inspection. You will be required to book another inspection at further cost.

A site representative will need to be present on site during the inspection. This can be the owner, project manager or relevant Licensed Building practitioner for example.

The building inspector will view the work undertaken and discuss any concerns with the person on site. The inspector will either "Pass" or "Fail" the inspection.

A failed inspection will mean another inspection is required. Re-inspections will be charged at the standard inspection rate at the time.

Step 4.Recording the outcome

The inspector will always issue a Field Advice Notice (FAN) that records the outcome of the inspection.

These will be emailed to the agreed contact person(s). The contact person is responsible for communicating the outcomes of the inspection to others involved in the project.

Step 5.When all works are complete

The Building Act 2004 requires that you make application for a Code Compliance Certificate once all work related to the project is complete.

Apply for a Code Compliance Certificate

Types of inspections

The following is the list of typical inspections and a brief description of each and the typical considerations of each:

Type	Sub-type	Description
Foundations	Excavation for foundations (piles, posts, etc)	This is the first inspection generally for a timber floored building – it is a check of the building position and orientation on the site, of the ground conditions, and the position and depths of timber pile / post footings.
	Excavation and reinforcing in foundations	This is for a concrete floored building – it is a check of the building position and orientation on the site, of the ground conditions, and the position and depths of foundations and the reinforcing content.
	Under floor slab plumbing	A check of the drainage system beneath the slab – a check of the layout, materials used, falls, observation of the drainage system ‘on test’ – i.e. holding water.
	Slab on ground prior to pouring concrete	A check of the slab, prepared for pouring concrete – a check of slab thickness, damp proof membrane and blinding material and reinforcing steel.
	Foundation wall reinforcing	A check of the laying of the blockwork or construction of the formwork for the wall, reinforcing content, washout points to blockwork.
	Waterproofing of retaining walls prior to backfill	A visual check of the membrane applied to the exterior of a retaining wall, extent of the membrane, protective blinding, drainage behind wall, suitability of fill material (free draining).
	Other reinforcing steel as required	A check of any other reinforcing steel in a project not related to any of the previous inspections before concrete is poured – i.e. intermediate floors, masonry block walls, columns, beams, etc.
Timber Sub Floor	Timber sub floor prior to flooring being fixed	A check of the subfloor structure, subfloor structural connections, timber treatment, bearers, subfloor braces, prior to laying of flooring to permit easy visual inspection.
Framing	Fixings pre roofing and pre wrap	A comprehensive check of the assembly of the structural skeleton of the building – wall and roof framing, prior to fixing of wraps and claddings. A thorough check of framework and structural connections is carried out along with checks of external bracing elements (typically plywood sheets).
Framing	Direct fixed post wrap / flashing / cladding fixings	A check of the cladding and window installation during the cladding process for direct fixed claddings. At a minimum, a visual inspection of the installation of one window and the adjacent cladding to demonstrate that the flashing and cladding systems will meet the requirements of the manufacturers literature and the Building Code. A check of the roofing installation will generally be carried out at this stage concurrently.
Cladding	Brick veneer check (first day / half height)	A check of the brick veneer under construction, a check of the laying of the brickwork, brick cavity width, brick ties, and of the condition of the wall wrap, etc.
	Cavity battens	A check of the cavity battens, over the building wrap, prior to the fixing of the cladding. Batten position, vermin proofing, window installation and securing of wall wrap are checked. A check of the roofing installation will generally be carried out at this stage concurrently.
	Pre-plaster	A check of the plaster substrate prior to applying any plaster coating.
Pre Line	Pre-lining including moisture content and plumbing under pressure	A check of the internal space of the building, before fixing of wall linings. Inspection includes a framing moisture content check, check of insulation installation, hot and cold water supply pipework, structural framework fixings required for wall bracing panels, and a check of the completed cladding installation and the weathertightness of the external envelope.
Post line	Fire separation wall during lining	Check of fire walls prior to lining – check of framing, structural fixings, penetrations and similar considerations.
Post line	All bracing panels	A check of internal wall bracing panels (typically plasterboard) and their fixings to the framing prior to being gib stopped. Position, length and type of wall brace will be checked against the consented design.
Drainage	Drainage before any work is covered up including test, and including connection inspection if using Council system	A check of the sanitary and storm water drainage systems and effluent disposal systems prior to backfilling trenches. A check of the layout, materials used, falls, observation of the drainage system ‘on test’ – i.e. holding water. A Drainage As-Built Plan is required to be submitted to Council by the drain layer at this stage.
Final	Final - when all work covered by the consent is completed	The last inspection of the building project. Final collection of paperwork – Producer Statements, Memoranda, As-Built plans, Electrical and Gas Certificates, Code Compliance Certificate Application form. On residential projects, It is also check of any outstanding items raised at previous inspections, hot water supply temperature check, and a check of final finishing items – bathrooms, kitchens, laundries, landscaping, driveways, smoke alarms etc. On commercial projects, access routes and facilities for persons with disabilities, carparks, emergency exits, signage and emergency lighting, water supply temperature check, etc.
	Fireplace inspections	Free standing - after installation of heater but prior to installation of flue ceiling plate Inbuilt - when fireplace is prepared but prior to installation of heater
	Swimming Pool inspections	Excavation prior to installation: in ground pools, prior to concreting or installing fibre glass insert. Fencing and backflow device: check of fencing and barriers complying with the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987, and backflow prevention device fitted to nearest hose tap to pool.

Inspection decisions

It is essential that all inspections are completed, to ensure works have been properly assessed and any remedial works completed before the project continues.

If the inspector is, reasonably satisfied the work is in accordance with the consented plans, the result will be a "Pass".

Sometimes this "Pass" will be conditional. Requiring some outstanding work or additional work to be completed and checked at the next inspection.

If the inspector is not satisfied or the remedial work is too extensive the result will be a "failed" inspection.

If work does not follow the consented plans or remedial works identified are not undertaken a Notice to Fix may be issued and work stopped until required items have been completed.

Unable to view the work

If inspectors are unable to view the work, it may become necessary for you to remove materials so the work can be inspected. This can result in additional costs and delays for all concerned.

Failure to complete all the inspections will cause problems later in the project. It may not be possible to issue the Code Compliance Certificate, for example.