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A sensible order for a first Auckland residential project

Use this pathway to understand the order of decisions and records. A real project will loop between stages as new information arrives, but purchase, design, insurance, consent, procurement and construction decisions should not be based on hidden assumptions.

10-step journeyDevelopment + constructionFree tools and templatesLast reviewed 11 August 2026

Choose your path

I am developing property

Start with site strategy, opportunity screening, feasibility, due diligence, planning, professional advice and consent.

Open the development path

Choose your path

I am managing construction

Control project setup, procurement, programme, site work, inspections, defects, CCC, handover and warranties.

Open the construction path

Choose your path

I am developing and managing the build

Connect feasibility and approvals to procurement, site delivery, evidence, cost, programme and exit decisions.

Open the integrated path

Working away from site?

The remote project-management layer adds an on-site representative, evidence rules, WhatsApp review, formal records, hold points and site-visit triggers to any of the three pathways.

Open remote PM controls

Search the resource

Find the term, task, document or problem in front of you

01

Find a site

Define the strategy, search area, target product, available equity and screening rules before falling in love with a property.

Open the next guide
02

Check feasibility

Test land, yield, revenue, consultants, council, construction, finance, insurance, contingency and downside assumptions.

Open the next guide
03

Review title, LIM, property file and planning

Separate verified site facts from assumptions and keep a due-diligence action list with owners and decision dates.

Open the next guide
04

Get professional advice

Brief the planner, surveyor, architect, engineers, QS, lawyer, accountant, lender, valuer and other specialists needed for the site.

Open the next guide
05

Get insurance

Allocate responsibility in the contracts, prepare the underwriting information and confirm cover in writing before works start.

Open the next guide
06

Apply for consent

Coordinate resource consent, engineering approvals, Watercare and building consent requirements for the actual proposal.

Open the next guide
07

Get quotes

Issue consistent scope and documents, compare inclusions and exclusions, check credentials and record approvals.

Open the next guide
08

Manage construction

Control programme, tasks, documents, trades, safety, quality, RFIs, variations, costs and daily records.

Open the next guide
09

Track inspections

Plan hold points, confirm readiness, save results and close failed items before work is covered.

Open the next guide
10

Close out, hand over and manage defects

Collect CCC evidence, producer statements, certificates, as-builts, warranties, manuals, keys and closed defects.

Open the next guide

Set up the project controls once

Open the Full Project Checklist for the lifecycle, the Quote Register for procurement, Forms & Documents for controlled records, and the Project Workspace for tasks, cost, people, inspections, defects and close-out.

Educational guide only

BuildPath NZ is an educational guide and project-management resource only. It does not replace advice from Auckland Council, a planner, architect, engineer, surveyor, quantity surveyor, lawyer, accountant, lender, insurer, insurance broker, WorkSafe, Watercare, utility provider, building consent authority or other qualified professional.

Read the full disclaimer