Interiors
Tiling
Coordinate approved tiles, substrate, set-out, falls, waterproofing protection, adhesive, joints, movement, grout, sealant, and final protection.
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.
01Approve tile selection, batch, layout, datum, cuts, junctions, trims, thresholds, wastes, niches, falls, and movement joints before fixingLevel 2 · Interiors
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Approve tile selection, batch, layout, datum, cuts, junctions, trims, thresholds, wastes, niches, falls, and movement joints before fixing.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Wet-area layouts, Tile schedule, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Waterproofing puncture. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Wet-area layouts is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- Tile schedule and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the pre-tiling waterproofing hold point sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Wet-area layouts and Tile schedule.
- Check specifically for: Waterproofing puncture.
- Avoid this known mistake: Starting tiling without confirming the current documents and responsibility.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed tiling work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Wet-area layouts or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Pre-tiling waterproofing hold point 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 Pre-tiling waterproofing hold point and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Waterproofing puncture
- Starting tiling without confirming the current documents and responsibility
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Wet-area layouts
- Tile 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 tiling. 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
Confirm waterproofing evidence and cured substrate, then check adhesive coverage, line/level, lippage, joint width, falls, penetrations, and sealant interfaces.
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.
02Confirm waterproofing evidence and cured substrate, then check adhesive coverage, line/level, lippage, joint width, falls, penetrations, and sealant interfacesLevel 2 · Interiors
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Confirm waterproofing evidence and cured substrate, then check adhesive coverage, line/level, lippage, joint width, falls, penetrations, and sealant interfaces.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Interior elevations, Adhesive/grout system, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Wrong fall. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Interior elevations is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- Adhesive/grout system and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the layout approval sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Interior elevations and Adhesive/grout system.
- Check specifically for: Wrong fall.
- Avoid this known mistake: Relying on a verbal answer without recording the source, decision, owner, and due date.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed tiling work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Interior elevations or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Layout approval 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 Layout approval and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Wrong fall
- Relying on a verbal answer without recording the source, decision, owner, and due date
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Interior elevations
- Adhesive/grout system
- 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 tiling. 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 work, test drainage where appropriate, clean without damaging surfaces, and retain product/batch/warranty records.
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 completed work, test drainage where appropriate, clean without damaging surfaces, and retain product/batch/warranty recordsLevel 2 · Interiors
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Protect completed work, test drainage where appropriate, clean without damaging surfaces, and retain product/batch/warranty records.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Waterproofing details, Waterproofing manufacturer details, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Poor coverage. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Waterproofing details is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- Waterproofing manufacturer details and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the completed-falls and finish check sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Waterproofing details and Waterproofing manufacturer details.
- Check specifically for: Poor coverage.
- Avoid this known mistake: Allowing the next activity to hide incomplete checks or missing evidence.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed tiling work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Waterproofing details or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Completed-falls and finish 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 Completed-falls and finish check and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Poor coverage
- Allowing the next activity to hide incomplete checks or missing evidence
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Waterproofing details
- Waterproofing manufacturer 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 tiling. 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 tiling 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.
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
- Approve tile selection, batch, layout, datum, cuts, junctions, trims, thresholds, wastes, niches, falls, and movement joints before fixing.
- Confirm waterproofing evidence and cured substrate, then check adhesive coverage, line/level, lippage, joint width, falls, penetrations, and sealant interfaces.
- Protect completed work, test drainage where appropriate, clean without damaging surfaces, and retain product/batch/warranty records.
Before work starts
- Confirm the latest issued-for-construction and consented documents for tiling are on site, including Wet-area layouts.
- Check Tile schedule, 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
Tiling information is incomplete or conflicting
- 1Stop the affected tiling 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.
Tiling is not ready when the programme requires it
- 1Stop the affected tiling 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.
Tiling evidence or approval cannot be located
- 1Stop the affected tiling 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 wet-area surfaces, ventilation, waterproofing details, and manufacturer systems against consented documents.
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.
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
- Pre-tiling waterproofing hold point
- Layout approval
- Completed-falls and finish check
Common risks
- Waterproofing puncture
- Wrong fall
- Poor coverage
- Lippage
- Unapproved layout
Common mistakes
- Starting tiling without confirming the current documents and responsibility
- Relying on a verbal answer without recording the source, decision, owner, and due date
- Allowing the next activity to hide incomplete checks or missing evidence
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 tiling 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 tiling 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.