Your building consent will include an estimate of construction inspections to be undertaken during the course of construction. Inspections are project specific and an estimate is decided during the processing of your building consent.

Building inspections

See building inspections for the main checks that will be carried out for common types of building inspections.

Additional types of building inspections may be necessary, depending on the nature of the building work and the manner of construction, or as a result of non-complying or incomplete work.

Ensure you have a clear timeline for carrying out your building work and book inspections in advance to avoid delays onsite.

In addition to the common types of building inspections undertaken by the Councils within the Greater Canterbury Region, the Christchurch City Council also undertakes the following building inspections types:

This inspection should occur before plasterboard stopping or installation of skirting or scotia.

Check if:

  • All linings to fire rated elements are completed and correctly fixed.
  • Fire resistant filler and sealant are in place.
  • Suitable fire resistant electrical fittings and fire collars are in place for penetration through fire rated walls and ceilings.

A type of inspection of building work that is usually covered by the engineer's construction monitoring.

Where covered by construction monitoring a Producer Statement - Construction Review (PS4) [DOC, 152 KB] will be required before a code compliance certificate can be issued.

Check Building Consent Construction Documentation and Advice Notes attached to the building consent.

If required the building inspector will check reinforcing steel placement, the configuration of proposed concrete work, tilt panels lifting points and connections.

A type of inspection type of building work that is usually covered by the engineer's construction monitoring.

Where covered by construction monitoring a Producer Statement - Construction Review (PS4) [DOC, 152 KB] will be required before a code compliance certificate can be issued.

Check Building Consent Construction Documentation and Advice Notes attached to the building consent.

If required the building inspector will check beam sizes, steel placement and connections.

  • All flashings, shelf angles, slip joints and associated fixings to be inspected prior to laying of the masonry veneer. 
  • Generally carried out for two-storey buildings or specific design of the masonry veneer cladding system.
  • Includes shelf angles over windows and doors.
  • Confirmation on whether or not the contraventions recorded on the Notice to Fix (Form 13) have been rectified. 
  • If specified, building work must cease until the Notice to Fix has been lifted.
  • The audit inspection may be used for non-specific inspection types.
  • The audit inspection may also be used to inspect building work under historic building consents, complex projects, and can be used as a type of final inspection.

An inspection type used for commercial buildings that intended to be open to members of the public. 

Check if:

  • the safety management plan is being adhered to.
  • measures are in place to protect the public where they may be affected by building work.
  • check that members of the public can use the premises safely.
  • Building consents are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
  • Building work must have commenced within the 12 months or the building consent will
  • This inspection is carried out to assess if building work has commenced.

Inspections by other parties

Sometimes it is necessary for specialist consultants to conduct inspections in addition to or in lieu of the inspections carried out by the Council. If inspections need to be carried out by specialist consultants, you will usually be advised before the building consent is issued. 

Typically these types of inspections may involve having a geotechnical engineer confirming the ground bearing of a foundation excavation or a structural engineer checking the construction of a specific design element.

Please ensure you read the inspection requirements in the Building Consent Construction Documentation and Advice Notes attached to the building consent and are familiar with them before commencing building work.

How to change or cancel an inspection booking

If you wish to change or cancel your inspection booking, please call our Bookings Team us on 03 941 8222.

Cancellations must be made by 4pm on the working day prior to your inspection taking place.

All cancellations made on the day are charged for.