Repairs and minimising future damage
Last updated: 3 November 2025
Considerations before carrying out repairs, and how to minimise future damage.
Before you start any work, check with your insurer and council to make sure your plans are in line with your insurance coverage and meet legal requirements.
Repairs
The building must be sufficiently dry before repair work is carried out.
Contact your local council to understand whether you need a building consent, and to learn what work you can do yourself.
Certain types of building work, such as restricted building work, must be carried out or supervised by a licensed building practitioner.
Restricted building work (RBW)
Minimising future damage
Consider talking to your local council and/or a registered engineer or licensed building practitioner about how you can minimise potential future damage to your building.
Especially if you live in a flood-prone area, ensuring your home is efficiently sealed and uses water-resistant materials is important. Requesting frequent inspections and repairs will help to prevent leaks and drainage issues before they become a larger issue.
Building owners should also make sure that roof gutters, surface water drainage sumps or catch pits, and channel drains are regularly cleared of debris:
Surface water drainage sumps or catch pits — google.com
Channel drains — google.com
When your property is affected by a natural hazard
If your property has been affected by a natural hazard such as flooding or landslip you may need to consider this when undertaking repair work, or rebuilding.
Information and guidance on Natural hazard requirements of the Building Act