Ground and substructure
Demolition
Plan and control soft strip, hazardous-material removal, service isolation, structural demolition, salvage, waste, dust, noise, and final clearance.
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.
01Confirm demolition consent/resource consent conditions where applicable, hazardous-material survey, engineering method, service disconnections, exclusion zones, and waste planLevel 2 · Ground and substructure
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Confirm demolition consent/resource consent conditions where applicable, hazardous-material survey, engineering method, service disconnections, exclusion zones, and waste plan.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Existing/demolition plan, Demolition method, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Live service. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Existing/demolition plan is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- Demolition method and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the pre-demolition hold point sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Existing/demolition plan and Demolition method.
- Check specifically for: Live service.
- Avoid this known mistake: Starting demolition without confirming the current documents and responsibility.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed demolition work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Existing/demolition plan or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Pre-demolition hold point 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 Pre-demolition hold point and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Live service
- Starting demolition without confirming the current documents and responsibility
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Existing/demolition plan
- Demolition method
- 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 demolition. 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
Remove identified asbestos or hazardous material through the required competent/licensed process before uncontrolled disturbance.
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.
02Remove identified asbestos or hazardous material through the required competent/licensed process before uncontrolled disturbanceLevel 2 · Ground and substructure
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Remove identified asbestos or hazardous material through the required competent/licensed process before uncontrolled disturbance.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Structural method, Asbestos management/removal documentation, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Uncontrolled structural collapse. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Structural method is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- Asbestos management/removal documentation and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the hazardous-material clearance where required sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Structural method and Asbestos management/removal documentation.
- Check specifically for: Uncontrolled structural collapse.
- 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 demolition work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Structural method or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Hazardous-material clearance 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 Hazardous-material clearance where required and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Uncontrolled structural collapse
- 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
- Structural method
- Asbestos management/removal documentation
- 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 demolition. 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
Sequence demolition to maintain stability, control dust/debris, protect neighbours/public, sort waste, and verify the cleared site against the new works.
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.
03Sequence demolition to maintain stability, control dust/debris, protect neighbours/public, sort waste, and verify the cleared site against the new worksLevel 2 · Ground and substructure
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Sequence demolition to maintain stability, control dust/debris, protect neighbours/public, sort waste, and verify the cleared site against the new works.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Service plans, 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: Asbestos disturbance. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Service plans is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- Consent conditions and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the final site clearance sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Service plans and Consent conditions.
- Check specifically for: Asbestos disturbance.
- 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 demolition work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Service plans or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Final site clearance 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 Final site clearance and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Asbestos disturbance
- 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
- Service plans
- 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 demolition. 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 demolition 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.
Release this stage to the next team
Prerequisites
- • Current consented/contract documents and scope are available
- • Preceding work, access, safety and materials are ready
- • Named people own open RFIs, defects, inspections and evidence
Interface checks
- • Work matches the current documents and actual site condition
- • Interfaces with the preceding and following trades have been walked
- • Cost, programme, change and evidence consequences are recorded
Evidence before release
- • Location and detail photographs
- • Dated checklist/inspection/RFI references
- • Daily report and linked action/defect records
Next team: The next applicable project team
Open the related Workspace control →What happens in this stage
- Confirm demolition consent/resource consent conditions where applicable, hazardous-material survey, engineering method, service disconnections, exclusion zones, and waste plan.
- Remove identified asbestos or hazardous material through the required competent/licensed process before uncontrolled disturbance.
- Sequence demolition to maintain stability, control dust/debris, protect neighbours/public, sort waste, and verify the cleared site against the new works.
Before work starts
- Confirm the latest issued-for-construction and consented documents for demolition are on site, including Existing/demolition plan.
- Check Demolition method, 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
Demolition information is incomplete or conflicting
- 1Stop the affected demolition 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.
Demolition is not ready when the programme requires it
- 1Stop the affected demolition 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.
Demolition evidence or approval cannot be located
- 1Stop the affected demolition 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.
Use WorkSafe NZ for construction health and safety duties, risk management, and practical guidance for residential construction work.
Use before demolition, refurbishment, or disturbance of possible asbestos-containing material.
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
- Pre-demolition hold point
- Hazardous-material clearance where required
- Final site clearance
Common risks
- Live service
- Uncontrolled structural collapse
- Asbestos disturbance
- Neighbour/public damage
Common mistakes
- Starting demolition 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 demolition 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 demolition 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.