Do it yourself
There is some work you can do yourself, as long as you meet the Building Code requirements.
A project, like building a fence or retaining wall, may still need a resource consent even though a building consent may not be required, so it is important to check before you start work. If you are unsure whether a resource consent is required, contact us before undertaking any building work. Call us on 09 301 0101 and ask to speak to the building helpdesk or visit one of our libraries with council services.
We recommend you also seek the advice of a building professional before deciding whether the building work is exempt. You can still apply for a building consent even if the work is exempt.
Building work for which you do not need a consent
If a residential building project does not require a building consent, as a building owner you are still responsible for making sure that any building work complies with the Building Code. If you need a resource consent for your project, you need to get this before you can start your building work.
You may need to contract a professional for some types of work, even if you don't need a consent.
As the owner, you can place a record on your property file regarding work you believe to be exempt from needing consent. See Add a record of exempt building work to a property file.
Find out more
- The Ministry for Building, Innovation and Employment website covers work that does not need a consent. (This is a guide only. Refer to schedule 1 of the Building Act for legislated requirements).
- Schedule 1 - Building work for which a building consent is not required.
Owner-builder exemption for restricted building work
Owner-builders may carry out certain restricted building work (RBW) on their own homes, provided they meet the requirements of the Building Act 2004 and comply with the approved building consent.
You are an owner-builder if:
- you live in or are going to live in the home you are building or renovating (includes baches and holiday homes)
- you carry out the restricted building work on your own home yourself, or with help from unpaid friends and family members
- you own or have a legal or beneficial interest in the land or the building.
Restrictions on using the exemption
This exemption is for genuine owner‑occupiers. It cannot be used for homes built or renovated mainly for sale or rent. You do not need to live in the home permanently – staying there occasionally (for example, a holiday home) is acceptable.
- You may carry out restricted building work on the same property multiple times over a number of years.
- You may only carry out restricted building work on a different property once three years have passed since completing RBW on the previous property.
This restriction ensures unlicensed builders cannot use the exemption instead of becoming licensed.
Work not covered by the exemption
The owner‑builder exemption does not cover the following work unless you hold the appropriate licence:
- electrical work
- gasfitting
- plumbing
- drainlaying.
This work must be carried out by licensed professionals who can certify the work.
Who can help you with the work
You may have unpaid friends or family members help you with restricted building work on your home. If you do pay someone to do the work, they must be a Licensed Building Practitioner and provide a Record of Work for any RBW they carry out or supervise.
Restricted building work not done by an owner-builder
Any restricted building work that is not carried out by you, or your unpaid friends or family, must be carried out or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) with the appropriate licence class. The LBP must provide a Record of Work for the work they carry out or supervise.
If you hire a designer and the design includes restricted building work, they must provide a Certificate of Work.
Recording owner-builder work
As an owner-builder, you will need to tell us:
- who carried out the restricted building work
- whether the work was done by an owner‑builder or an LBP.
This information will be recorded on the property’s Land Information Memorandum (LIM). Future buyers will be able to see whether restricted building work was carried out by the owner or by a licensed professional.
Changes during the project
You must notify council if:
- the scope of restricted building work changes
- you stop carrying out the work as an owner‑builder
- an LBP is engaged to complete or supervise the work.
This information must be provided using the owner‑builder notice form (form 2C). This form is used when work starts, changes or stops. Email acebuildhelpdesk@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz with your completed form.
Statutory declaration
To do RBW as an owner‑builder, you must complete a statutory declaration form confirming you meet the required criteria. The form must be:
- completed before any RBW begins
- witnessed and signed by an authorised person, such as a Justice of the Peace or solicitor.
If you know at the time of applying for consent that you will be carrying out RBW as an owner‑builder, you need to include the declaration with your building consent application.
If you do not submit the declaration with your building consent application, you must still complete it before RBW begins. In this situation, the declaration must be submitted with a 'Notice of owner‑builder' form. Email acebuildhelpdesk@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz with your completed forms.