Everyone involved in a building project has responsibilities and obligations and it is important to be aware of yours - especially if you are not building regularly.

In case you are not sure, here is a quick outline of what might be expected of you or those involved in your project:

Owner 

As the owner you have certain legal responsibilities such as:

• obtaining any necessary consents and certificates 
  
• advising who will carry out any restricted building work
• ensuring compliance with any notice to fix
  

While you can use a building professional or other agent to prepare these on your behalf, ultimate responsibility still sits with you.

A key step is to ensure your building consent application includes all the relevant information. Our application check sheets are designed to help you.   

You or your agent will also receive a copy of all communications about your project to help you meet your responsibilities and keep you informed.

Builder 

Your builder is responsible for ensuring project work matches the approved plans and specifications. They are also responsible for making sure any building work not covered by a building consent complies with the building code.

All residential building work costing $30,000 or more (including GST) must have a contract in place.

Designer

A designer isn’t just a licensed designer or architect. It can be anyone who has input into the plans and specifications or advises on the compliance of building work with the building code.

They are responsible for making sure the plans, specifications and any advice they provide will result in the building work complying with the building code, if the building is built to plan, specifications and advice.

Licensed building practitioner (LBP)

LBPs are responsible for designing or carrying out building work essential to the structure or weathertightness of your home. They also make sure:

• all restricted building work on the project is carried out or supervised by them
• they are licensed in a class for carrying out or supervising that restricted building work.

You can build, renovate or repair your own home using the Owner-Builder Exemption, but you still need to meet building code requirements, apply for any consents and let us know. 

Building Consent Authority (BCA) 

 A BCA is responsible for performing building control functions such as:

• making sure applications for building consent comply with the building code
• checking that work carried out matches the building consent for the project
• issuing consents and certificates under the Building Act.

The DCC is a territorial authority and a registered and accredited building consent authority.