Remote Building Inspections

Affordability and efficiency are the two driving forces behind the government’s desire to move towards better utilising virtual/remote building consent inspections. The goal here is to speed up the consenting process and (by association) the construction process, allowing more houses to be built in less time, which aligns with their current cheaper housing initiatives. So, what are remote building consent inspections, and how do they work? Let’s take a look.

What Are Remote Building Inspections?

In a nutshell, remote inspections allow Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) to conduct compliance assessments remotely or off-site using digital technologies such as live streaming or photographic evidence instead of inspectors having to visit the site in person.

The use of remote inspections was made popular during the COVID-19 pandemic years, when it was in the best interests of all concerned to reduce the physical presence of BCA/Council staff. Virtual inspections have also proved useful in remote locations (with excessive travel), during extreme weather events where access is limited and even when heavy traffic is likely to disrupt appointment times (a common occurrence in Auckland and Wellington).

Remote vs Onsite Inspections What’s The Difference?

The building consent process requires a series of regular inspections throughout the construction process to ensure the work meets the regulatory requirements of the Building Act 2004 and the NZ Building Code. The two main methods for consent inspections are:

On-Site Inspections

Carried out by certified BCA inspectors, on-site or in-person inspections are scheduled throughout the build process, coinciding with the completion of specific stages of the build. It is usually necessary for the builder to be present for these meetings and for them to provide the inspector with the required documentation.

Remote Inspections

Also carried out by a certified BCA inspector, remote inspections differ as they are completed away from the building site using digital technology such as live streaming and video or photographic evidence. It is also necessary for the builder (or qualified professional) to be on-site to assist the inspector.

Basic Building Inspection Guide

What are the scheduled inspection and how many are there? The following outlines the typical consent inspections carried out on most new builds according to the MBIE, however the list is offered as a guide only and is subject to change depending on the specifics of the project.

Pre-Pour. This inspection is carried out after the prep for the concrete floor is complete but before it is poured. This inspection is based around ensuring adequate foundational support among other things.
Tanking/Waterproofing. An important step in the construction process, waterproofing must be checked and signed off before laying tiles in wet areas, before backfilling retaining walls, etc.
Pre-Clad. Carried out before any building paper or cladding is installed.
Post-Clad. Occurs after cladding has been completed, for example, bricks are done, or weatherboards are complete. This inspection is carried out before applying any additional coatings such as fibre cement or plastering to the cladding.
Pre-Line. Completed after the internal framing is up and insulation installed, but before any internal linings such as gib are installed. This inspection may include a plumbing pressure test.
Drainage. Any inground pipework for drainage must be inspected before filling in the trenches.
Final Inspection. This one includes final inspections of the plumbing, building and drainage work to ensure it matches what was described in the building consent application and is completed to the desired standard.

*It is interesting to note that in general, electrical and gas work does not need to be inspected as it is required to be carried out by a Licensed Building Practitioners (LBPs) who will provide a signed-off completion certificate (this will need to be produced to get a Code of Completion sign-off).

Why Is The Government Encouraging Remote Inspections?

Remote inspections were introduced by the government as a way to ensure more timely service during the consent process. It is part of one of the government’s wider initiatives around the commitment to increasing affordable housing across the nation.

The government hopes that the remote inspection process will work to reduce consent processing times and costs by speeding up and simplifying the process. This is aimed at reducing the likelihood of no in-person inspection slots being available for weeks at a time thereby avoiding project overruns and unnecessary delays in the construction process (as these types of delays are purely BCA-based and beyond the control of builders and homeowners).

Top 6 Benefits Of Remote Inspections

Remote inspections are gaining traction with local BCAs because of their many benefits when trying to reduce processing times, which benefits both consent applicants and BCAs. Some of the main benefits of virtual or remote consent inspections are:

Reduced Travel Times. Eliminating travel time allows BCAs to increase the number of inspections carried out per day while allowing for greater flexibility in the scheduling of inspection times.
More Timely Inspections. Rather than relying on the availability of inspectors who are often booked up in advance, inspections are more likely to be available at a time that suits the builder or consent applicant.
Improved Processing Times. By minimising inspection delays, optimising time available to inspectors and building contractors, and reducing down-time while waiting for an inspection, BCAs should be able to shorten the build process.
Cost Savings. When utilising remote inspection services, time costs for builders and inspectors are reduced, along with vehicle and travel expenses and a number of other processing costs.
Better Record Management. The existence of high-quality digital records can make it much easier to share data across BCAs, or even revisit data if necessary in the future.
Improved Safety. Less people wandering around the site means less exposure to hazards and less likelihood of accidents occurring.

Useful Resources

With remote inspections gaining traction across the country, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has put together some useful resources for those wishing to know more about the process.

Below you will find information on the remote consent process, a step-by-step guide and also helpful case study videos. This official guidance is aimed at BCAs, but it is also of use to licenced building practitioners and other contractors and tradespeople who are part of the inspection process.

Building Consent Inspections
Step By Step Guide For Remote Inspection (Online version)
Remote Inspection Guidance for Building Consent Authorities (PDF version)
Remote inspections Case Studies
Review of MBIE Building Consent Services

Useful Industry Tools

There are a number of online tools specifically designed to support BCAs, builders and contractors to complete and track building consent inspections. Learning how to use these tools for remote inspections has become an important aspect of on-the-job learning. The 4 tools listed by the MBIE are:

Zyte

Used by BCAs and construction firms to carry out visual remote inspections, Zyte is a virtual viewing and smart video calling platform that runs on desktop or mobile. Zyte offers a complete record of video footage, screen shares and audio, as well as providing live video streaming capabilities with no software downloads required for user or guest.

Objective Build

Complete end-to-end software for managing the entire building consent process from scheduling to completion. Objective Build is a single platform streamlining the process for everyone concerned, including BCAs/Councils, architects, designers, builders and homeowners.

Artisan

Free software that provides a complete digital record of the build from start to finish. Artisan was developed by the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) and offers Android and Apple options for the Mobile App, which is then paired with a Web App Console. The BCA inspector can access, communicate and sign off work using the app, along with processing any resubmissions that need to be addressed.

Master Brick & Blocklayers Site Inspection App

Created by the Master Brick & Blocklayers organisation, the MBB Site Inspection App provides a comprehensive checklist of all brickwork and blockwork completed on-site against best practice guidelines, streamlining the inspection process. This cross-compatible platform app uses cloud storage for seamless access and retrieval across multiple devices.

Remote inspections are gaining widespread acceptance as a way to save time and money right across the build process. See the MBIE website for more information on the remote building consent process, or to learn more about how the CBS Co-Op can support your business through these changing times, contact us today.