Before Work Starts on Site

What Happens After You Choose a Builder, Before Work Starts on Site?

Confirm what has actually been chosen

Before the project moves forward, make sure there is a shared understanding of the scope. That includes the drawings and specification being priced, what is included and excluded, current allowances, known site constraints, responsibilities for consultants and consents, and how changes will be handled. A quote may support the decision to appoint a builder, but it does not normally contain every term needed to run the project.

For residential building work costing $30,000 or more including GST, a written contract is required. Building Performance also encourages written contracts for smaller work because they record the agreed terms and help resolve questions later. [1]

Review the contract and required builder information

For work at or above the statutory threshold, the contractor must provide a disclosure statement and the standard checklist before the contract is signed. The disclosure statement includes information about the business, key contact people, relevant qualifications and experience, insurance, and any guarantees or warranties offered. [1]

Get the approvals path clear

Many projects need a building consent, and some may also need resource consent or other approvals. The proposed work must be checked against the applicable rules, and the party responsible for the application should be clear in the contract. Building Performance says all building work must comply with the Building Code, whether or not it needs a building consent. [2]

Do not treat a general online checklist as confirmation for a specific site. Councils can identify planning or district-plan requirements that sit alongside the building process. Where the work is structural, involves weathertightness or otherwise includes Restricted Building Work, use appropriately licensed people and retain the resulting records.

Make the project buildable on paper

Before a start date can be meaningful, the team normally needs enough information to coordinate the work. That can include final selections, engineering or consultant information, consented drawings, supplier lead times, site access, temporary services, demolition or protection requirements, and an agreed approach to existing conditions.

Some choices take longer than expected because they depend on samples, supplier information, owner decisions or consent approval. A builder can help sequence these decisions, but homeowners should expect to make timely decisions where the programme depends on them.

Set up insurance, access and site rules

Talk with your insurer before major renovation or construction begins. Do not assume the builder's insurance automatically covers the existing house, contents or every project risk. Check the relevant policy, exclusions and who needs to arrange any contract-works cover.

Agree access, site boundaries, parking, material delivery areas, neighbours, working hours, communication preferences, protection of retained areas and what happens if the property remains occupied. These arrangements are not minor details. They can determine whether the site is safe and workable from day one.

Hold a useful pre-start meeting

• Confirm the latest approved drawings, scope and outstanding decisions.
• Check the consent status, inspection expectations and responsibility for records.
• Review the starting programme, supplier lead times and the next owner decisions needed.
• Agree the primary contact person, meeting rhythm and how variations will be raised.
• Confirm site access, security, services, protection of existing areas and neighbour communication.
• Discuss health and safety expectations, including where visitors may and may not go.
• Record agreed actions, owners and dates after the meeting.

Building Performance sources

1. Before building work starts, Building Performance
2. Check if you need consents, Building Performance