Projects & consents

Information to help you plan your building project, get consent, build to the consent and legally complete your project.

Working safely

Make health and safety a key focus of your building project.
Safety on site

1. Planning a successful build

Building professionals discussing design plans

If you want to build or renovate, you need to know your legal obligations and what is expected of you either as a property owner, or a building professional.

You should be familiar with the process before you start, so that you can plan well and build right.

Planning a successful build

The consent process

Councils grant building consent applications when they are confident your proposed work will meet the requirements of the Building Code.

2. Getting a consent

Construction worker

You can’t usually start any physical work until you have building consent (unless your work is exempt or there is an emergency), so make a good application and avoid unnecessary delays.

Everyone involved benefits from a complete, accurate, easily understood application as it becomes the plan everyone has to follow.

Learn more about getting a building consent

3. Building to the consent

Site inspection

Your building consent is the green light for your physical work to start. Stick to the plans and all building consent requirements. Your council inspections ensure the work is progressing as planned. If you need to make changes, keep your council informed.

Learn more about building to the consent

4. Sign-off and maintenance

Building professional with design plans

It’s the building owner’s responsibility to get council sign-off for the project, even if your building professional is doing it on your behalf.

Check the work as you go and when it’s finished, so your building professionals can quickly respond to any questions or concerns.

You’ll keep the quality and value of your build longer if you maintain the work and follow any product instructions (keeping warranties and guarantees valid).

Learn more about Sign-off and maintenance

This information is published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Chief Executive. It is a general guide only and, if used, does not relieve any person of the obligation to consider any matter to which the information relates according to the circumstances of the particular case. Expert advice may be required in specific circumstances. Where this information relates to assisting people: