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Make sure you get the consents you need before starting to build.

1. Find a section
2. Choose an architect or designer
3. Decide how the project will be managed
4. Choose a builder
5. Finalising the building contract
6. Arrange consents
7. Manage the building
8. Manage completion
 

6. Arrange consents

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What do you need?
You will need to obtain a building consent from your local council before building commences.  Depending on your particular home and what you’re proposing to build, you may also need to obtain a resource consent.

Building consent
You can’t start building your home until you have a building consent.  If you do, you could face a substantial fine and you may have to pull down or make changes to what you have built. 

In most cases your architect, designer or builder will lodge a building consent application on your behalf when the plans are ready.  You can apply yourself – if so, contact your local council for information on how to apply and what you will need.

As part of the building consent, there will need to be regular inspections made by building inspectors from your local council to ensure that the work complies with the building code.

Resource consent
You may need to apply for resource consent if you want to build something that is regulated under the Resource Management Act or your local district or city plans.  For example, there are rules about how close to your boundary you can site your home, maximum site coverage, sunlight planes, and so on.  If you build without getting the required resource consents, you could be prosecuted under the Resource Management Act.

Your architect, designer or builder should be able to tell you whether you are likely to need resource consent and manage the process on your behalf.  If you're in any doubt, your local council will be able to advise whether resource consent is required, so check with them.

In some cases you may need to consult with your neighbours or your application may need to be notified (which means public submissions may be called for).  Again, your local council will be able to advise you on these.

Next step | 7. Manage the building >>

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