Building inspections

Your issued building consent will include a list of building inspection that must be undertaken by Council building inspectors during the building process.  These inspections ensure that the building work complies with the issued building consent.

In March 2023, we introduced GoGet, a new digital building inspection tool as part of Objective Build. We also introduced new processes and inspection checklists.

You will need to have your documentation prepared and uploaded onto the building consent file in Objective Build before booking each inspection.

You must always have the issued building consent documentation in a watertight and secure cabinet available to all contractors working on site.

The main contractor and the contractor who undertook the work to be inspected must be on site to attend the building inspection.

How it works

We do building inspections to check that what you're building matches what's in the building consent.

When we process your building consent application we estimate the type and number of inspections you'll need for your project.

These inspections, but not re-inspections of failed inspections, are covered in the fee you paid before receiving your consent. Once your building consent application is approved, we'll send you a Building Consent Approval Letter letting you know what building work will be inspected at the different stages of your building project.

Safe access for building inspectors

You must provide safe access to the building site and building work that is to be inspected. Safe access includes:

  • a safe site - an untidy site can be dangerous; the inspection may be refused until the contractor has made the site safe and tidy
  • access - the contractor must make equipment available to inspect difficult to access areas
  • equipment - scaffolding, stairs, etc, must be installed correctly and safe for use. If equipment is not available, the inspection may be refused
  • noise - please turn down or switch off loud music or machinery during inspections so that the inspector can speak comfortably with the contractor, when needed
  • asbestos contamination on site is dangerous, the inspection may be refused until an approved contractor has removed it.

Inspection checklists

The inspection checklists outline what the building inspector will be checking when they are on site. These checklists are intended for informational and guidance purposes. We encourage you to complete the inspection checklists and ensure all required paperwork is lodged on the building file before the inspection to maximise your chances of passing the inspection

The inspection checklists set out the documents required for each inspection and the elements of the building work that will be inspected. You must ensure that all documents required for an inspection have been uploaded to Objective Build before you book the inspection.

We recommend that, before the building inspector arrives, you check your building work against the inspection checklist to ensure that all building work has been completed and complies with the requirements of the relevant inspection checklist. If you follow this procedure, then you increase the likelihood of passing the inspection.We encourage you to complete the inspection checklists and ensure all required paperwork is lodged on the building file before the inspection to maximise your chances of passing the inspection

Book an inspection

Inspections need to be booked at various stages during building work.

It's your responsibility to make sure inspections are done, so you'll need talk to your tradespeople before booking them.

If you have multiple inspections to book, we may be able to combine them into one visit.

You'll need the:

  • Building Consent number
  • address of the property where the work is being done
  • type of inspection needed
  • name and phone number of the on-site contact person.

You can book a building inspection by calling the Council call centre on +64 04 570 666 or 0800 488 824 or book online

Note: We recommend that all building inspections be undertaken and achieve a pass outcome before you apply for a Code Compliance Certificate.

How long it takes to get an inspection

There's often a one-week wait before we can get out to your site for an inspection. This is because we have a lot of inspections to do and a limited number of building inspectors.

We need at least 24 hours’ notice for an inspection, subject to inspector availability.

Inspection outcomes

  • after every inspection the inspector will email a site report to you
  • the report will state if you've passed or failed that building inspection
  • if you've failed the inspection, you’ll need to fix the problem and book a re-inspection. There could be instances where the inspector will state a conditional continuation of building work on the report. This means the inspector may allow work that is unaffected by the non-compliant work to continue, but the non-compliant work will needs to be fixed and then re-inspected.
  • if the problem is severe you may be issued with a Notice to Fix.

Notice to fix

A notice to fix is a statutory notice requiring a person to remedy a breach of the Building Act 2004 or regulations under that Act. A notice to fix can be issued for all breaches of the Act, not just for building work.

A notice to fix is issued to a specified person. A specified person is the building owner and, where applicable:

  • the person carrying out building work
  • any other person supervising that building work

For further information please see the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website.

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