Building Inspections
The building consent process is about protecting people and property. When you book and pass each inspection, and are subsequently issued a Code Compliance Certificate, you will have documented assurance you have met the Building Act requirements.
Building consent inspections are conducted to verify that the granted building consent is being achieved through construction and thereby meets compliance with the Building Act 2004 and the building code.
At various stages during construction, you will need to arrange inspections to verify that the building work has been completed in accordance with the building consent documents. The inspections you’ll need will be listed on your building consent.
Sometimes it is necessary for specialists to conduct inspections in addition to the inspections carried out by the Building Consent Authority (BCA). If a specialist inspection is necessary you will be advised before the consent is issued. Generally, these inspections are necessary to confirm ground stability or specific design by a registered engineer.
Book a Building Inspection
You can call us on 06 323 0000 between 8am and 5pm to request an inspection.
You’ll need to provide:
- the address
- building consent number for the project
- a trade licensed building practitioner number if the work includes restricted building work
- name and phone number of the contact person who will be onsite
- your preferred date and time for the inspection
- the type of inspection required (refer to your building consent for the inspection code)
All approved plans and specifications must be kept onsite with the building consent. Access to the site for staff to conduct inspections is required. The inspection will be unable to proceed if these are unavailable.
Manawatū District Council has a requirement to ensure a minimum of 80% of inspections are carried out within three working days after the date the inspection was requested by the building owner or their agent. Bookings made after 4pm, on weekends, or public holidays will be treated as if received on the next working day.
During an 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 (e.g not all work completed). This will be clearly articulated in the inspection report.
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
All fees, including any levies must be paid before we can issue a Code Compliance Certificate.
A copy of the inspection report, which records the inspection findings will be provided to the applicant (agent / owner).
All fees including any levies must be paid prior to the issue of a code compliance certificate. Fees and charges are payable either online (bank transfer) or in person (at Manawatu District Council, Customer Service, 135 Manchester Street, Feilding).
Notice to Fix
A Notice to Fix is a legal document issued when building work does not comply with the Building Act or building code. A Notice to Fix 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.
Infringements
Infringement notices are issued by a Building Officer for serious offences under the Building Act 2004. Infringement fines range from $250 - $2000.
Late Cancellation Fee
It’s understandable that building projects don’t always run to schedule but if you book a building inspection and need to cancel or reschedule, we ask that you provide at least 48 hours’ notice of the cancellation.
Beginning 1 September, for building inspections that are cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice, a standard building inspection fee of $270 will be charged. Discretion is available in some instances.