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.

Click here to read about what is looked at during inspections.

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.

Remote inspections

Council now offers remote building inspection services for building consents approved through Objective Build.

These inspections are conducted by our external BCA contractor and cover low-risk buildings and specific inspection types such as fireplaces, under-slab drainage for single-level builds, detached garages, sheds, and minor residential renovations.

The following questions will be asked at the time of booking your inspection:

If you would prefer a remote inspection instead of an on-site visit.
The availability of sufficient connectivity at the site of the inspection

The two main types of remote inspections that will be conducted:

Real-time inspections, which are similar to on-site inspections, however, are carried out remotely, directing a builder around the site throughout the inspection. The inspections may be conducted via WhatsApp, Viber, Microsoft Teams, or another platform that is convenient for site personnel. The Building Inspector will communicate this prior to inspection.
A desktop review or evidence-based review with photos is required by the building inspector. The inspector will communicate with the site personnel about the requirements before the inspection.

Please ensure that all work on site is carried out in accordance with the approved plans and specifications.

How to book an inspection

You can phone our dedicated Council inspection phone number on 03 419 0232 to organise an inspection. If you book an inspection after hours, this will be responded to either by email or phone as requested the following working day.

We aim to carry out at least 80 percent of inspections no more than three working days after a request is submitted by the building owner or their agent.

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 cannot 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.