Services
Plumbing
Coordinate hot/cold water, sanitary fixtures, drainage connections, pressure tests, penetrations, access, insulation, and final certification.
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 fixture locations, pipe routes, penetrations, falls, access panels, pressure zones, hot water system, and wet-area coordinationLevel 2 · Services
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Check fixture locations, pipe routes, penetrations, falls, access panels, pressure zones, hot water system, and wet-area coordination.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Plumbing layout, NZBC G12/G13 guidance, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Leaks. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Plumbing layout is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- NZBC G12/G13 guidance and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the plumbing rough-in check sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Plumbing layout and NZBC G12/G13 guidance.
- Check specifically for: Leaks.
- Avoid this known mistake: No pressure test before lining.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed plumbing work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Plumbing layout or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Plumbing rough-in 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 Plumbing rough-in check and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Leaks
- No pressure test before lining
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Plumbing layout
- NZBC G12/G13 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 plumbing. 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
Inspect rough-in before lining and photograph pipe routes.
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.
02Inspect rough-in before lining and photograph pipe routesLevel 2 · Services
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Inspect rough-in before lining and photograph pipe routes.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Drainage plan, Plumbing specification, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Wrong pipe route. 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.
- Plumbing specification and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the pressure test sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Drainage plan and Plumbing specification.
- Check specifically for: Wrong pipe route.
- Avoid this known mistake: Pipes too close to future fixings.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed plumbing work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Drainage plan or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Pressure test 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 Pressure test and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Wrong pipe route
- Pipes too close to future fixings
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Drainage plan
- Plumbing 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 plumbing. 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 tests, certificates, warranties, as-builts, and maintenance information.
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.
03Collect tests, certificates, warranties, as-builts, and maintenance informationLevel 2 · Services
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Collect tests, certificates, warranties, as-builts, and maintenance information.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Bathroom/kitchen elevations, Fixture schedule, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Penetrations through structure/bracing. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Bathroom/kitchen elevations is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- Fixture schedule and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the council plumbing/drainage inspection where required sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Bathroom/kitchen elevations and Fixture schedule.
- Check specifically for: Penetrations through structure/bracing.
- Avoid this known mistake: Missing as-built photos.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed plumbing work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Bathroom/kitchen elevations or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Council plumbing/drainage 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 Council plumbing/drainage inspection where required and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Penetrations through structure/bracing
- Missing as-built photos
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Bathroom/kitchen elevations
- Fixture schedule
- 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 plumbing. 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 plumbing 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.
Structure, penetrations and building services
Prerequisites
- • Coordinated services routes and fixture/equipment positions are issued
- • Restricted drilling/notching zones and fire/acoustic systems are identified
- • Required sleeves, supports and access panels are agreed
Interface checks
- • No member, brace, connection or fire/acoustic element is altered without authorised detail
- • Falls, ventilation paths, clearances and maintenance access can still be achieved
- • Penetration sealing system matches substrate, service and required rating
Evidence before release
- • Coordinated services drawing or marked-up route
- • Pre-line photographs of every concealed service zone
- • Engineer/designer RFI response and penetration schedule where required
Next team: Insulation, lining and commissioning teams
Open the related Workspace control →Wet-area structure, plumbing, waterproofing and finishes
Prerequisites
- • Substrate type, stiffness, falls and moisture condition are acceptable
- • Waste positions, flange details, taps and penetrations match the waterproofing design
- • Membrane, adhesive, sealant and finish systems are compatible
Interface checks
- • Falls run to wastes without ponding and door/transition levels work
- • Junctions, movement joints, penetrations, upstands and termination heights are complete
- • Required curing, flood testing, installer declaration and protection are planned
Evidence before release
- • Substrate and fall measurements
- • Membrane batch/installer/junction photographs
- • Test, inspection and producer/installer records required by the project
Next team: Tiler, plumber and finish installer
Open the related Workspace control →What happens in this stage
- Check fixture locations, pipe routes, penetrations, falls, access panels, pressure zones, hot water system, and wet-area coordination.
- Inspect rough-in before lining and photograph pipe routes.
- Collect tests, certificates, warranties, as-builts, and maintenance information.
Before work starts
- Confirm the latest issued-for-construction and consented documents for plumbing are on site, including Plumbing layout.
- Check NZBC G12/G13 guidance, 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
Service clash
- 1Stop the affected plumbing 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.
Pipe leak on test
- 1Stop the affected plumbing 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.
Fixture location mismatch
- 1Stop the affected plumbing 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 hot/cold water supply requirements, plumber producer statements/certificates where applicable, and consented plumbing layouts.
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.
Use the exact current installation manual, warranty requirements, BRANZ/Appraisal information where applicable, and product data sheet for the product on site.
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
- Plumbing rough-in check
- Pressure test
- Council plumbing/drainage inspection where required
- Final fixture check
Common risks
- Leaks
- Wrong pipe route
- Penetrations through structure/bracing
- No access to valves
- Hot water safety issue
Common mistakes
- No pressure test before lining
- Pipes too close to future fixings
- Missing as-built photos
- Wrong fixture locations
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 plumbing 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 plumbing 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.