Interior
Insulation
Install thermal and acoustic insulation as part of the H1 thermal envelope without gaps, compression, moisture, service conflicts, or missing evidence.
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 insulation R-values, locations, product type, installation method, and H1 documentation against the consentLevel 2 · Interior
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Confirm insulation R-values, locations, product type, installation method, and H1 documentation against the consent.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against H1 report, H1 compliance documents, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Gaps reducing performance. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- H1 report is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- H1 compliance documents and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the insulation/pre-line inspection sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against H1 report and H1 compliance documents.
- Check specifically for: Gaps reducing performance.
- Avoid this known mistake: Installing before framing moisture is acceptable.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed insulation work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up H1 report or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Insulation/pre-line 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 Insulation/pre-line inspection and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Gaps reducing performance
- Installing before framing moisture is acceptable
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- H1 report
- H1 compliance documents
- 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 insulation. 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 walls, ceilings, floors, slab edge, thermal bridges, and service penetrations before linings.
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.
02Check walls, ceilings, floors, slab edge, thermal bridges, and service penetrations before liningsLevel 2 · Interior
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Check walls, ceilings, floors, slab edge, thermal bridges, and service penetrations before linings.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Insulation plan, Insulation product data, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Compressed batts. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Insulation plan is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- Insulation product data and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the council inspection if listed sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Insulation plan and Insulation product data.
- Check specifically for: Compressed batts.
- Avoid this known mistake: Cutting batts poorly around services.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed insulation work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Insulation plan or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Council inspection if listed 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 Council inspection if listed and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Compressed batts
- Cutting batts poorly around services
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Insulation plan
- Insulation product data
- 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 insulation. 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
Photograph complete insulation zones before cover-up.
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.
03Photograph complete insulation zones before cover-upLevel 2 · Interior
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Photograph complete insulation zones before cover-up.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Wall/roof sections, Manufacturer installation instructions, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Wet insulation. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Wall/roof sections is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- Manufacturer installation instructions and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the internal qa check sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Wall/roof sections and Manufacturer installation instructions.
- Check specifically for: Wet insulation.
- Avoid this known mistake: No photos before lining.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed insulation work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Wall/roof sections or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Internal QA 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 Internal QA check and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Wet insulation
- No photos before lining
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Wall/roof sections
- Manufacturer installation instructions
- 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 insulation. 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 insulation 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 insulation R-values, locations, product type, installation method, and H1 documentation against the consent.
- Check walls, ceilings, floors, slab edge, thermal bridges, and service penetrations before linings.
- Photograph complete insulation zones before cover-up.
Before work starts
- Confirm the latest issued-for-construction and consented documents for insulation are on site, including H1 report.
- Check H1 compliance documents, 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
Insulation gaps
- 1Stop the affected insulation 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.
Wrong insulation product
- 1Stop the affected insulation 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.
Pre-line inspection failed
- 1Stop the affected insulation 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 insulation, glazing, thermal envelope, energy calculations, and consented H1 documentation.
Use the exact current installation manual, warranty requirements, BRANZ/Appraisal information where applicable, and product data sheet for the product on site.
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.
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
- Insulation/pre-line inspection
- Council inspection if listed
- Internal QA check
Common risks
- Gaps reducing performance
- Compressed batts
- Wet insulation
- Electrical clearance issue
- Missing H1 evidence
Common mistakes
- Installing before framing moisture is acceptable
- Cutting batts poorly around services
- No photos before lining
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 insulation 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 insulation 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.