Completion
Council inspections
Plan, prepare, attend, evidence, and close every required building consent authority inspection without covering work prematurely.
How to execute this stage
Micro-stage control plan
Work through each applicable step in order. A hold point means pause the dependent decision or work until the stated evidence and authorised review are complete.
01Build the inspection sequence from the issued consent and confirm booking lead time, access, approved documents, certificates, and readiness criteriaLevel 2 · Completion
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Build the inspection sequence from the issued consent and confirm booking lead time, access, approved documents, certificates, and readiness criteria.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Current stamped drawings, Issued consent conditions, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Work covered before inspection. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Current stamped drawings is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- Issued consent conditions and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the all bca inspections specified for the project sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Current stamped drawings and Issued consent conditions.
- Check specifically for: Work covered before inspection.
- Avoid this known mistake: Starting council inspections without confirming the current documents and responsibility.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed council inspections work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Current stamped drawings or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- All BCA inspections specified for the project result, consultant record, trade QA record or written not-applicable reason.
Hold point
Do not cover, backfill, load, connect, certify or release the next activity until All BCA inspections specified for the project and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Work covered before inspection
- Starting council inspections without confirming the current documents and responsibility
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Current stamped drawings
- Issued consent conditions
- Current RFI/site-instruction/change record
- Inspection and evidence register
- Cost effect
- Rectification, reinspection, delay, damaged follow-on work, access loss and changed scope can increase the cost of council inspections. Record the cause and obtain written pricing before approving a commercial change.
- Programme effect
- This activity controls the release of dependent work. Update the lookahead programme and notify affected trades if the hold point, information, inspection or evidence is not ready.
Next action
Complete an internal pre-inspection, correct defects, brief the relevant trade, and have current stamped documents and evidence available.
Applicability: Apply when this work package is included in the current project scope. Confirm project-specific consent, contract, design, site and authority requirements.
Use the current consented/issued project documents and competent site review. BuildPath does not approve work.
02Complete an internal pre-inspection, correct defects, brief the relevant trade, and have current stamped documents and evidence availableLevel 2 · Completion
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Complete an internal pre-inspection, correct defects, brief the relevant trade, and have current stamped documents and evidence available.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Approved amendments/minor variations, Inspection requirements, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Wrong drawing revision. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Approved amendments/minor variations is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- Inspection requirements and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the reinspections where required sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Approved amendments/minor variations and Inspection requirements.
- Check specifically for: Wrong drawing revision.
- Avoid this known mistake: Relying on a verbal answer without recording the source, decision, owner, and due date.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed council inspections work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Approved amendments/minor variations or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Reinspections where required result, consultant record, trade QA record or written not-applicable reason.
Hold point
Do not cover, backfill, load, connect, certify or release the next activity until Reinspections where required and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Wrong drawing revision
- Relying on a verbal answer without recording the source, decision, owner, and due date
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Approved amendments/minor variations
- Inspection requirements
- Current RFI/site-instruction/change record
- Inspection and evidence register
- Cost effect
- Rectification, reinspection, delay, damaged follow-on work, access loss and changed scope can increase the cost of council inspections. Record the cause and obtain written pricing before approving a commercial change.
- Programme effect
- This activity controls the release of dependent work. Update the lookahead programme and notify affected trades if the hold point, information, inspection or evidence is not ready.
Next action
Record the result, inspector comments, failed items, photos, reinspection need, responsible person, and effect on following work.
Applicability: Apply when this work package is included in the current project scope. Confirm project-specific consent, contract, design, site and authority requirements.
Use the current consented/issued project documents and competent site review. BuildPath does not approve work.
03Record the result, inspector comments, failed items, photos, reinspection need, responsible person, and effect on following workLevel 2 · Completion
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Record the result, inspector comments, failed items, photos, reinspection need, responsible person, and effect on following work.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Relevant shop drawings, Approved specification, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Missing certificate. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Relevant shop drawings is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- Approved specification and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the all bca inspections specified for the project sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Relevant shop drawings and Approved specification.
- Check specifically for: Missing certificate.
- Avoid this known mistake: Allowing the next activity to hide incomplete checks or missing evidence.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed council inspections work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Relevant shop drawings or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- All BCA inspections specified for the project result, consultant record, trade QA record or written not-applicable reason.
Hold point
Do not cover, backfill, load, connect, certify or release the next activity until All BCA inspections specified for the project and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Missing certificate
- Allowing the next activity to hide incomplete checks or missing evidence
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Relevant shop drawings
- Approved specification
- Current RFI/site-instruction/change record
- Inspection and evidence register
- Cost effect
- Rectification, reinspection, delay, damaged follow-on work, access loss and changed scope can increase the cost of council inspections. Record the cause and obtain written pricing before approving a commercial change.
- Programme effect
- This activity controls the release of dependent work. Update the lookahead programme and notify affected trades if the hold point, information, inspection or evidence is not ready.
Next action
Close the council inspections stage, link its evidence, resolve outstanding defects and release only the next applicable stage.
Applicability: Apply when this work package is included in the current project scope. Confirm project-specific consent, contract, design, site and authority requirements.
Use the current consented/issued project documents and competent site review. BuildPath does not approve work.
Trade-to-trade control
Interfaces and release gates
Use the actual consented design, specification and authorised reviewers. These controls help expose gaps; they do not approve work.
Trade completion, inspection and handover evidence
Prerequisites
- • Trade defects and outstanding tests are visible in the registers
- • Consent/contract/authority deliverables have named owners
- • The current drawing, variation and product records are reconciled
Interface checks
- • A reported completion is not treated as verified without evidence
- • Failed inspections and defects link to corrective work and re-check
- • Handover/CCC files identify missing, submitted, accepted and not-applicable items separately
Evidence before release
- • Closed inspection and defect records
- • As-builts, certificates, warranties and Records of Work
- • Dated handover/CCC index with source and review status
Next team: Owner, facilities/maintenance contact or defects team
Open the related Workspace control →What happens in this stage
- Build the inspection sequence from the issued consent and confirm booking lead time, access, approved documents, certificates, and readiness criteria.
- Complete an internal pre-inspection, correct defects, brief the relevant trade, and have current stamped documents and evidence available.
- Record the result, inspector comments, failed items, photos, reinspection need, responsible person, and effect on following work.
Before work starts
- Confirm the latest issued-for-construction and consented documents for council inspections are on site, including Current stamped drawings.
- Check Issued consent conditions, approved product data, RFIs, minor variations, and amendment status before work starts.
- Confirm the subcontractor understands the scope, hold points, access, protection requirements, H&S controls, and quality evidence required.
- Check the programme sequence so this stage does not start before earlier work, inspections, testing, or concealed-work photos are complete.
- Confirm materials delivered to site match the specification, are dry/undamaged, and are stored according to manufacturer instructions.
During the work
- Walk the work face early, mid-shift, and before close-up. Compare actual work with the consented drawings, specification, and manufacturer details.
- Check set-out, levels, falls, clearances, penetrations, fixings, bracing, waterproofing, or protection points that will be difficult to see later.
- Ask trades to show their own quality checks rather than only saying the work is complete.
- Keep weather, site condition, delivery, delay, inspection, RFI, variation, and safety notes in the daily report.
- Photograph any work before it is covered, backfilled, lined, clad, tiled, painted, or otherwise hidden.
After the work
- Complete a close-out walk with the subcontractor and mark defects immediately while access is still available.
- Confirm required inspection bookings, council results, producer statements, LBP Records of Work, warranties, test certificates, or installer declarations are obtained.
- Update as-built notes where service routes, drainage, fixings, penetrations, or dimensions differ from the design.
- Confirm the area is protected from weather, other trades, impact damage, contamination, or premature loading.
- Update the lookahead programme and tell affected trades what is ready, what is blocked, and what must not be covered.
Common problems and step-by-step solutions
Council inspections information is incomplete or conflicting
- 1Stop the affected council inspections activity if continuing could hide defective work, create unsafe work, or move away from the consented design.
- 2Photograph the condition from wide, medium, and close-up angles. Include a tape, level, datum mark, gridline, or drawing reference where useful.
- 3Check the latest consented architectural, structural, civil, services, and specification documents before giving an instruction.
- 4Ask the subcontractor to explain the cause, proposed fix, timing impact, and whether the fix changes consented work.
- 5Escalate to the builder/project manager, designer, engineer, council inspector, or client when the fix affects structure, weathertightness, drainage, H1, fire/safety, cost, programme, or consent.
- 6Record the decision, responsible person, drawing/RFI/variation reference, photos, and follow-up inspection in the daily report.
Council inspections is not ready when the programme requires it
- 1Stop the affected council inspections activity if continuing could hide defective work, create unsafe work, or move away from the consented design.
- 2Photograph the condition from wide, medium, and close-up angles. Include a tape, level, datum mark, gridline, or drawing reference where useful.
- 3Check the latest consented architectural, structural, civil, services, and specification documents before giving an instruction.
- 4Ask the subcontractor to explain the cause, proposed fix, timing impact, and whether the fix changes consented work.
- 5Escalate to the builder/project manager, designer, engineer, council inspector, or client when the fix affects structure, weathertightness, drainage, H1, fire/safety, cost, programme, or consent.
- 6Record the decision, responsible person, drawing/RFI/variation reference, photos, and follow-up inspection in the daily report.
Council inspections evidence or approval cannot be located
- 1Stop the affected council inspections activity if continuing could hide defective work, create unsafe work, or move away from the consented design.
- 2Photograph the condition from wide, medium, and close-up angles. Include a tape, level, datum mark, gridline, or drawing reference where useful.
- 3Check the latest consented architectural, structural, civil, services, and specification documents before giving an instruction.
- 4Ask the subcontractor to explain the cause, proposed fix, timing impact, and whether the fix changes consented work.
- 5Escalate to the builder/project manager, designer, engineer, council inspector, or client when the fix affects structure, weathertightness, drainage, H1, fire/safety, cost, programme, or consent.
- 6Record the decision, responsible person, drawing/RFI/variation reference, photos, and follow-up inspection in the daily report.
Verification
Source / where to check
Use current official information and the controlled documents for the actual project.
MBIE guidance explains that work should be built to the issued building consent, inspections must be managed, and records/certificates should be kept for CCC.
Auckland Council explains local building consent processes, CCC, related certificates, producer statements, LBP notification, and whether resource consent may also be needed.
The issued consent drawings, stamped specifications, engineering drawings, RFIs, minor variations, and amendments control the specific project.
The issued consent drawings, stamped specifications, engineering drawings, RFIs, minor variations, and amendments control the specific project.
Use the exact current installation manual, warranty requirements, BRANZ/Appraisal information where applicable, and product data sheet for the product on site.
Insufficient data to verify — confirm against the current consented drawings, specifications, Auckland Council requirements, Auckland Unitary Plan, NZ Building Code, relevant NZ Standard, consultant advice, manufacturer instructions, insurance broker, insurer, lender, lawyer, accountant or project contract.
Project-specific consented documents and professional advice override generic guidance.
Common inspections required
- All BCA inspections specified for the project
- Reinspections where required
Common risks
- Work covered before inspection
- Wrong drawing revision
- Missing certificate
- Failed item not closed
Common mistakes
- Starting council inspections without confirming the current documents and responsibility
- Relying on a verbal answer without recording the source, decision, owner, and due date
- Allowing the next activity to hide incomplete checks or missing evidence
Required documentation
- Latest consented drawings and specifications
- Relevant RFIs, site instructions, amendments, minor variations, and variation approvals
- Subcontractor scope, QA checklist, delivery dockets, product data, and installation records
- Inspection booking/result records and photos before cover-up
- Daily site report notes covering labour, weather, progress, delays, risks, and decisions
Photos or diagrams needed
- Wide photo showing where council inspections is happening on the site
- Close-up photos of critical details, fixings, laps, seals, penetrations, clearances, levels, or falls
- Photo of product labels, batch numbers, delivery dockets, and installer marks where relevant
- Marked-up drawing or simple diagram showing any changed location, clash, defect, or agreed remedial detail
Construction manager checklist
- 1Scope, drawings, specification, product data, and latest revision confirmed
- 2Trade briefed on hold points, tolerances to verify, evidence required, and inspection sequence
- 3Access, storage, protection, temporary works, and safety controls in place
- 4Work checked against drawings during installation, not only at completion
- 5Photos and records captured before work is concealed
- 6Defects, RFIs, delays, and variations recorded with owner and due date
- 7Inspection/producer statement/warranty/Record of Work requirements tracked for CCC
Questions to ask the subcontractor
- Which drawing, detail, or manufacturer instruction are you working from?
- What needs to be checked before this is covered or handed to the next trade?
- What could stop you today: weather, access, materials, information, inspections, or other trades?
- Does anything on site differ from the drawings or specification?
- What evidence will you provide for the quality file and CCC file?
Red flags to stop work
- Work differs from consented drawings or specification and no approved variation/RFI exists
- A structural, weathertightness, waterproofing, drainage, fire/safety, or H1 detail is unclear
- The trade wants to cover work before inspection, testing, or photos are complete
- Specified materials are missing, substituted, damaged, wet, expired, or installed outside manufacturer instructions
- A safety control is missing for excavation, heights, plant movement, electrical work, asbestos, silica, or public protection
What to record in the daily report
- Exact location and quantity of work completed
- Trade headcount, company names, plant used, deliveries, and material batch/product details
- Weather, site conditions, delays, instructions received, RFIs raised, and inspections booked/passed/failed
- Photos taken before cover-up and any defects or non-conformances found
- Next-day lookahead, blockers, and who is responsible for each action
Use this in my project
Turn council inspections into controlled action
Open the relevant workspace register, create the project-specific record, link the controlling documents and preserve evidence. The guide does not automatically approve or verify the action.