Closeout
Final inspections
Prepare the house, documents, certificates, defects, and access so council and internal final inspections can be completed without avoidable rework.
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.
01Check every required consent inspection has passed or has a close-out actionLevel 2 · Closeout
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Check every required consent inspection has passed or has a close-out action.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Consented drawings, 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: CCC delayed. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Consented drawings 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 building inspection sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Consented drawings and Consent conditions.
- Check specifically for: CCC delayed.
- Avoid this known mistake: Booking inspection before documents are ready.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed final inspections work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Consented drawings or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Final building inspection 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 building inspection and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- CCC delayed
- Booking inspection before documents are ready
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Consented drawings
- 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 final 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
Collect producer statements, LBP Records of Work, energy work certificates, warranties, test records, and as-built documents.
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.
02Collect producer statements, LBP Records of Work, energy work certificates, warranties, test records, and as-built documentsLevel 2 · Closeout
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Collect producer statements, LBP Records of Work, energy work certificates, warranties, test records, and as-built documents.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against As-built markups, Council 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: Missing certificate. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- As-built markups is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- Council inspection requirements and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the final plumbing/drainage where required sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against As-built markups and Council inspection requirements.
- Check specifically for: Missing certificate.
- Avoid this known mistake: Not checking minor variations/amendments.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed final inspections work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up As-built markups or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Final plumbing/drainage 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 Final plumbing/drainage where required and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Missing certificate
- Not checking minor variations/amendments
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- As-built markups
- Council 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 final 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
Walk the site against the consent conditions and CCC evidence list before booking final inspections.
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.
03Walk the site against the consent conditions and CCC evidence list before booking final inspectionsLevel 2 · Closeout
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Walk the site against the consent conditions and CCC evidence list before booking final inspections.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Final inspection notes, Producer statement requirements, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Unresolved defect. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Final inspection notes is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- Producer statement requirements and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the final h1/insulation evidence review sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Final inspection notes and Producer statement requirements.
- Check specifically for: Unresolved defect.
- Avoid this known mistake: No access to roof/subfloor/service areas.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed final inspections work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Final inspection notes or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Final H1/insulation evidence review 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 H1/insulation evidence review and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Unresolved defect
- No access to roof/subfloor/service areas
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Final inspection notes
- Producer statement 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 final 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 final 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
- Check every required consent inspection has passed or has a close-out action.
- Collect producer statements, LBP Records of Work, energy work certificates, warranties, test records, and as-built documents.
- Walk the site against the consent conditions and CCC evidence list before booking final inspections.
Before work starts
- Confirm the latest issued-for-construction and consented documents for final inspections are on site, including Consented drawings.
- Check 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
Failed final inspection
- 1Stop the affected final 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.
Missing producer statement
- 1Stop the affected final 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.
Unapproved change
- 1Stop the affected final 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.
Use when a site change may require a minor variation or amendment before work continues.
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
- Final building inspection
- Final plumbing/drainage where required
- Final H1/insulation evidence review
- Internal QA walk
Common risks
- CCC delayed
- Missing certificate
- Unresolved defect
- Unapproved change discovered late
Common mistakes
- Booking inspection before documents are ready
- Not checking minor variations/amendments
- No access to roof/subfloor/service areas
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 final 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 final 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.