During a building inspection

At the time of the inspection, you, your agent or your builder needs to be on-site.

You must have print copies of your consented plans and any associated documents with you. If you don't, we will decline your inspection on the spot.

Please ensure your site is safe and accessible for our inspectors

This includes providing a safe and suitable way for the inspector to access above-ground areas (for example, scaffolding). If you don't, the inspection may not be able to proceed.

Once you've provided the building officer with a physical copy of the consented plans, they will assess if the construction is in accordance with the building consent and will advise you of any issues. This may be in the form of a site instruction notice.

In serious cases, the inspector may issue a Notice to Fix.

In some instances, work may be allowed to continue even though the building officer has identified issues (such as not all work completed). This will be clearly articulated in the inspection report.

What we inspect at different stages of your build

Inspection requirements may change depending on the scope and nature of the work being undertaken.

First inspection

The first inspection looks at the location of the building on your property, site conditions, services, ground bearing and demolition.

Prepour

Before any concrete is poured we look at the footings, foundations, piles, swimming pool foundation, post beam footings, portal frame footings, masonry footings, and check reinforcing steel members and ground bearing. 

Wastepipes

This inspection has to happen before the floor slab inspection. Before covering, we look at the water supply into the building and foul water services out of the building.

Floor slab

We check the concrete floor, reinforcing steel, cover of reinforcing, insulation, moisture barrier and concrete strength. 

Blockwork

This inspection checks masonry blockwork above foundations, block size, reinforcing, cleanouts, lintels, columns, bond beams and concrete strength.

External tanking

We check waterproofing basement, tanking installation, tanking protection, sub-ground drainage and finished ground levels.

Subfloor framing

We inspect all timber framing below the floor, piles, bearers, floor joists, subfloor insulation, subfloor bracing, ground clearance, subfloor framing connections. 

Framing / pre-wrap

This is a detailed inspection of the timber structure of the building before the roof cladding and building wraps are installed: wall and roof framing, mechanical connections, wall bracing, midfloor framing, timber post-beam construction and parapet construction.

Post-wrap

This inspection looks at the building wrap, ridged air barrier, cladding junction flashings, window flashings, wall cladding construction, cavity system, roofing system and flashings.

Roof membrane

We inspect the substrate of the roof membrane, construction methodology, penetrations, flashings, junctions, ventilation and drainage.

Pre-plaster system inspection

We check the substrate, flashing, control joints, plaster system and junction details.

Half high brick

We inspect the veneer construction, panel width, clear cavity and weep holes, service flashings, cladding brick junction flashings, brick ties, shelf angles and window flashings.

Preline plumbing

We inspect all water supply pipes, pipe sizes, piping on pressure test, wastewater pipework, venting, type of piping, hot water supply (gas and electrical), cylinder restraint and service flashings through claddings.  

Preline building

We check the building is weathertight, wall penetration flashings, wall framing, ceiling framing, bracing, services, air seals, insulation, noise control, fire rating system, mechanical connections, ventilation and framing moisture content.  

Post line 

This inspection takes place after the wall and ceiling linings and fixings have been installed. We check wall bracing and fixings, ceiling diaphragms construction and fixings, fire separation construction and fixings, noise control and construction methodology.

Drainage 

We check the stormwater and wastewater drainage, pipe sizes, gradient, venting, inspection points, bedding, sumps, drain tests, as-built plans, rural wastewater system tanks and the length and location of effluent beds. 

Pre-installation – inbuilt solid fuel appliance

 We inspect the cleanliness and structural integrity of the chimney, fire clearances, mantel and hearth clearances.

Final solid fuel heater

We check the clearances to combustible material, hearth, mantel, flue clearance to combustible material, blocking around the flue in ceiling, flue penetration through roof, flashing detail, smoke alarms and door deadlocks. 

Retaining wall

We inspect the construction, drainage and backfill material.

Plumbing and drainage final 

This final inspection checks everything related to plumbing and drainage is compliant and working: wastewater, water supply and stormwater fixtures, all appliances (solid fuel, gas and oil-fired) and the hot water temperature.

Building final

A final inspection to confirm the building work covered by the approved building consent has been completed and complies with that consent and the building code. We check access, weathertightness, ground heights, impervious finishes in service areas (kitchen, bathrooms, laundry), ventilation, means of escape and smoke alarms. 

Final swimming pool

We check the compliance of the pool construction, fencing,vacuum breaker to hose tap and backwash drainage system, that the gates and doors self-close and latch, and that there are no climbing points into the pool area.

Our inspector will provide a report afterwards

A copy of the inspection report, which records the inspection findings, will be provided to the applicant.

All fees, including any levies must be paid before we can issue a Code Compliance Certificate.

What is a Notice to Fix, and what happens if I get one?

A Notice to Fix is a legal document issued when building work does not comply with the Building Act or Building Code. It may require all or part of the building work to stop immediately.

Any action required must be completed within the timeframe specified in the notice.