External
Exterior works
Complete decks, retaining, paths, fences, outdoor services, stormwater discharge, exterior steps, barriers, and site reinstatement.
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 exterior scope, levels, falls, drainage, retaining design, barriers, steps, thresholds, and landscaping interfacesLevel 2 · External
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Confirm exterior scope, levels, falls, drainage, retaining design, barriers, steps, thresholds, and landscaping interfaces.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Landscape plan, Landscape specification, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Water directed toward house. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Landscape plan is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- Landscape specification and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the retaining/barrier inspection where required sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Landscape plan and Landscape specification.
- Check specifically for: Water directed toward house.
- Avoid this known mistake: Final ground levels too high against cladding.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed exterior works work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Landscape plan or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Retaining/barrier inspection 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 Retaining/barrier inspection where required and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Water directed toward house
- Final ground levels too high against cladding
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Landscape plan
- Landscape 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 exterior works. 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
Protect completed cladding, doors, drains, and services while exterior work is underway.
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.
02Protect completed cladding, doors, drains, and services while exterior work is underwayLevel 2 · External
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Protect completed cladding, doors, drains, and services while exterior work is underway.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Drainage plan, Retaining engineer details, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Unsafe falls/barriers. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Drainage plan is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- Retaining engineer details and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the stormwater check sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Drainage plan and Retaining engineer details.
- Check specifically for: Unsafe falls/barriers.
- Avoid this known mistake: No allowance for surface water.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed exterior works work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Drainage plan or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Stormwater check 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 Stormwater check and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Unsafe falls/barriers
- No allowance for surface water
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Drainage plan
- Retaining engineer details
- 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 exterior works. 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
Check site water paths before final sign-off.
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.
03Check site water paths before final sign-offLevel 2 · External
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Check site water paths before final sign-off.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Retaining wall details, NZBC F4/B1/E1 guidance, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Retaining failure. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Retaining wall details is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- NZBC F4/B1/E1 guidance and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the final exterior qa sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Retaining wall details and NZBC F4/B1/E1 guidance.
- Check specifically for: Retaining failure.
- Avoid this known mistake: Retaining built without required design.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed exterior works work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Retaining wall details or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Final exterior QA 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 exterior QA and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Retaining failure
- Retaining built without required design
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Retaining wall details
- NZBC F4/B1/E1 guidance
- 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 exterior works. 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 exterior works 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.
Windows, underlay, cavity, flashings and cladding
Prerequisites
- • Opening dimensions and tolerances are checked before delivery
- • Window/cladding/underlay details are coordinated at sill, jamb, head and corners
- • Cavity closures, tapes, sealants and flashings are system-compatible
Interface checks
- • Drainage/ventilation paths remain open and shingle laps shed water outward
- • Fixings, packers, air seals and required clearances match the approved details
- • Adjacent decks, paving, roofs and landscaping preserve threshold and cladding clearances
Evidence before release
- • Opening pre-installation check
- • Sill/jamb/head sequence photographs
- • Window/cladding installer QA and any required observation record
Next team: Interior lining, sealant and exterior works teams
Open the related Workspace control →Civil drainage, building services and final ground levels
Prerequisites
- • Civil, drainage, architectural and landscape drawings use coordinated levels
- • Connection approvals, easements and authority requirements are known
- • Service crossings, retaining, access and future maintenance zones are resolved
Interface checks
- • Pipe grades, cover, bedding, separation and test points meet the approved design
- • Finished ground/paving falls do not compromise cladding, thresholds or overland flow
- • As-built survey can identify every buried service and connection
Evidence before release
- • Open-trench photographs and test results
- • Survey/as-built information
- • Authority/council/engineer acceptance required for the actual project
Next team: External works, landscaping and close-out teams
Open the related Workspace control →What happens in this stage
- Confirm exterior scope, levels, falls, drainage, retaining design, barriers, steps, thresholds, and landscaping interfaces.
- Protect completed cladding, doors, drains, and services while exterior work is underway.
- Check site water paths before final sign-off.
Before work starts
- Confirm the latest issued-for-construction and consented documents for exterior works are on site, including Landscape plan.
- Check Landscape specification, 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
Surface water issue
- 1Stop the affected exterior works 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.
Retaining detail unclear
- 1Stop the affected exterior works 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.
Barrier or step concern
- 1Stop the affected exterior works 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.
Check stormwater, surface water, drainage paths, and council/engineer stormwater design.
Check barriers, stairs, decks, retaining drops, fall risks, consented details, and inspection requirements.
Check structure requirements, B1/AS1, Verification Methods, structural engineer design, bracing, foundations, wind, earthquake, and consented structural drawings.
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
- Retaining/barrier inspection where required
- Stormwater check
- Final exterior QA
Common risks
- Water directed toward house
- Unsafe falls/barriers
- Retaining failure
- Damaged cladding
- Blocked drains
Common mistakes
- Final ground levels too high against cladding
- No allowance for surface water
- Retaining built without required design
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 exterior works 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 exterior works 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.