Your building consent will include a Schedule of Specified Inspections. There are a range of inspections undertaken during the course of construction. Inspections are project specific and identified/agreed during the processing of your building consent.

Building inspections

See our building inspection guide [PDF, 7.5 MB] for the main checks that will be carried out during a building inspection.

Additional 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 your building work and book inspections in advance to avoid delays onsite.

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

Fire Resistant Lining

  • Inspection should be conducted before plaster stopping or installation of skirting or scotia.
  • Building elements are constructed in ways that stop the spread of smoke/heat/fire.
  • All fire and smoke elements and linings are complete and correctly fixed.
  • Fire resistant filler and sealant is in place.
  • Suitable fire resistant electrical fittings and fire collars are in place for penetration through fire walls.

Concrete Construction

Generally carried out under engineer's control. The inspector will also check steel placement, configuration of proposed concrete work, tilt panels, and connections. A Producer Statement - Construction Review (PS4) [DOC, 152 KB] will be required before a code compliance certificate can be issued. Check Building Construction Documentation and Advice notes.

Steel Construction

  • Generally carried out under engineer's control. A Producer Statement - Construction Review (PS4) [DOC, 152 KB] will be required before a code compliance certificate can be issued. Check Building Construction Documentation and Advice notes.
  • Inspector will check beam sizes, steel placement, connections and load points.

Shelf Angles

  • All flashings, shelf angles, slip joints and associated fixings to be inspected prior to laying of the brick veneer. Generally carried out for two-storey buildings or specific design brick work.
  • Includes lintels over windows and doors.

Notice to Fix Inspection

  • Confirmation on whether or not the contraventions recorded in the Notice to Fix (Form 13) have been rectified. 
  • If specified, building work must cease until the Notice to Fix has been lifted.

Audit Inspection

  • Where multiple inspections are required, the audit inspection may be used for non-specific inspection types. The audit inspection may also be used to inspect historic building work, problematic jobs, and can be used as a final type inspection.

Certificate for Public Use

  • generally for commercial buildings 
  • safety management plan has been adhered to
  • measures in place to protect public where they may be affected by building work
  • check that members of the public can use the premises safely
  • considered as a final type inspection.

11 Month Inspection

  • Building consents are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Work must have commenced within the 12 months or the building consent shall lapse.
  • This inspection is carried out to assess if building work has commenced.

Inspections by other parties

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

Typically these types of inspections may involve having a Geotechnical Engineer confirm ground stability or having an aspect of specific structural design checked by a registered engineer. Please ensure you read the inspection requirements and are familiar with them before commencing work.

How to change or cancel an inspection

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

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

All cancellations made on the day are now charged for.