Finishing: Final inspection and code compliance certificates

You, as the owner, must advise the BCA when work is completed and book a final inspection. When this inspection has been passed you must  apply for a code compliance certificate (CCC), (although in reality this is likely to be delegated to your builder or project managerThe BCA will then issue you with a CCC if satisfied on reasonable grounds that the completed work complies with your consent documentation.

A new licensing system will come into effect on 30 November 2011. From that date licensed building practitioners (LBP) will be required to carry out or supervise significant building work, such as new buildings, extensions, major alterations or changing the use of a building.  When completed, this work will need to be certified by the LBP that it complies with the building consent .

If a notice to fix is issued you are legally required to make sure the work on the notice is corrected and advise the council when everything is done. You may have to go back to your contract with your builder and see who is responsible for the work that needs fixing. The council will inspect and consider whether or not a CCC can be issued once you advise it that you have fixed the problems.

There is a considerable emphasis on getting a CCC under the 2004 Building Act and there are benefits, as well:

• Should you want to sell your house, not having a CCC could be a major obstacle – sale and purchase contracts are often conditional on a CCC having been granted.
• You will have the peace of mind of having the ‘final sign off’ on the  finished building in compliance with the Building Consent.