Building consent applicants and the plumbers and drainlayers self-certification scheme
If you are applying for a building consent, you can choose to have eligible plumbing or drainlaying work self-certified by an endorsed plumber or drainlayer. Self-certification can reduce the number of inspections needed during your project.
Learn how it works, what information you need to provide, and what it means for the building consent process.
It is the building owner’s choice about whether they want to use self-certification or not.
Building consents can have a mixture of work that has self-certifiable plumbing and drainlaying and work that follows the standard building consent inspections process.
During the building consent process
You still need to:
- apply for a building consent when required
- provide plans and information that show Building Code compliance
- identify who will carry out plumbing or drainlaying work, if known
- list what eligible work you are proposing to be self-certified.
BCAs assess the building consent application in the usual way. Before plumbing and drainlaying work starts, you must notify the BCA of who the endorsed plumber and/or drainlayer is, preferably with their registration number.
Choosing self-certification
If your project includes self-certifiable work:
- the plumber or drainlayer must be endorsed to self-certify
- certification is provided instead of a BCA inspection
- the BCA relies on that certification for compliance.
Changes during construction
If the scope of work changes:
- some work may no longer be eligible for self-certification
- BCA inspections may then be required.
It’s important to discuss changes early with your plumber or drainlayer, as well as the BCA.
Benefits for applicants
- Potentially faster projects.
- Fewer inspection delays.
- Clear responsibility for certified work.