We get asked all the time, ‘Do I need a Building Consent?’ and most of the time unfortunately the answer is yes, this does mean that you have get some plans drawn, submit them to council, etc.
If you do build without a building consent you may:
- have difficulties when selling your home
- be liable for a fine
- struggle to insure your home, or have difficulties trying to claim insurance in the future
Some examples of when you will require a building consent include:
- Additions and Extensions, re-piling or building new
- Alterations when removing/replacing load bearing walls and or bracing
- Addition of extra windows or doors into external walls
- Installing a fireplace
- Building a retaining wall higher than 1.5 metres, or when there is a building or driveway near the top of the retaining wall
- Installing a swimming pool
- Decks more than 1.5m from ground level
Do I need a Building Consent for a deck that is 1.2m above ground level?
No you don’t! With the release of the Department of Building and Housing Schedule 1, they have increased the height from 1m to 1.5m to require a Building Consent for the deck!
You can read more when you don’t require a building consent in this guide.
