Groundworks
Set-out
Transfer the approved design to the site using boundaries, gridlines, levels, datums, offsets, and survey control before digging or building.
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 boundary information, building location, finished floor level, gridlines, offsets, and benchmark datumLevel 2 · Groundworks
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Confirm boundary information, building location, finished floor level, gridlines, offsets, and benchmark datum.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Site plan, 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: Building in wrong location. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Site plan 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 set-out check sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Site plan and Consent conditions.
- Check specifically for: Building in wrong location.
- Avoid this known mistake: Using fence lines as boundaries.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed set-out work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Site plan or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Set-out 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 Set-out check and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Building in wrong location
- Using fence lines as boundaries
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Site plan
- 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 set-out. 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
Mark excavation, foundation, drainage, services, and critical setbacks before work starts.
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.
02Mark excavation, foundation, drainage, services, and critical setbacks before work startsLevel 2 · Groundworks
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Mark excavation, foundation, drainage, services, and critical setbacks before work starts.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Foundation plan, Surveyor set-out information, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Boundary encroachment. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Foundation plan is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- Surveyor set-out information and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the engineer/council check if required by consent sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Foundation plan and Surveyor set-out information.
- Check specifically for: Boundary encroachment.
- Avoid this known mistake: Not checking latest site plan.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed set-out work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Foundation plan or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Engineer/council check if required by consent 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 Engineer/council check if required by consent and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Boundary encroachment
- Not checking latest site plan
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Foundation plan
- Surveyor set-out information
- 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 set-out. 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 set-out marks so trades do not lose the reference points during earthworks.
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.
03Protect set-out marks so trades do not lose the reference points during earthworksLevel 2 · Groundworks
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Protect set-out marks so trades do not lose the reference points during earthworks.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Drainage plan, Engineer requirements, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Incorrect finished floor level. 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.
- Engineer requirements and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the internal pre-dig check sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Drainage plan and Engineer requirements.
- Check specifically for: Incorrect finished floor level.
- Avoid this known mistake: Losing datum before slab/foundation work.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed set-out work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Drainage plan or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Internal pre-dig 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 pre-dig check and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Incorrect finished floor level
- Losing datum before slab/foundation work
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Drainage plan
- Engineer 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 set-out. 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 set-out 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.
Earthworks, set-out and foundations
Prerequisites
- • Survey set-out and legal boundaries are confirmed
- • Geotechnical/civil/structural design assumptions match exposed ground
- • Excavation, bearing, groundwater and contamination surprises are recorded and referred
Interface checks
- • Formation levels, founding depth, setbacks and services agree across drawings
- • Engineer/council hold points are booked before concrete or backfill
- • Temporary support, dewatering and public/adjacent-property protection remain effective
Evidence before release
- • Survey/set-out record
- • Ground and excavation photographs with levels
- • Inspection/engineer record and concrete pre-pour checklist
Next team: Foundation, slab or subfloor team
Open the related Workspace control →What happens in this stage
- Confirm boundary information, building location, finished floor level, gridlines, offsets, and benchmark datum.
- Mark excavation, foundation, drainage, services, and critical setbacks before work starts.
- Protect set-out marks so trades do not lose the reference points during earthworks.
Before work starts
- Confirm the latest issued-for-construction and consented documents for set-out are on site, including Site plan.
- 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
Incorrect set-out
- 1Stop the affected set-out 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.
Boundary uncertainty
- 1Stop the affected set-out 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.
Finished floor level conflict
- 1Stop the affected set-out 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.
The issued consent drawings, stamped specifications, engineering drawings, RFIs, minor variations, and amendments control the specific project.
Auckland Council explains local building consent processes, CCC, related certificates, producer statements, LBP notification, and whether resource consent may also be needed.
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
- Set-out check
- Engineer/council check if required by consent
- Internal pre-dig check
Common risks
- Building in wrong location
- Boundary encroachment
- Incorrect finished floor level
- Drainage falls impossible
Common mistakes
- Using fence lines as boundaries
- Not checking latest site plan
- Losing datum before slab/foundation work
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 set-out 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 set-out 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.