Renovating your home can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it can also be overwhelming and confusing, especially when it comes to determining if you need a building consent. While some changes seem minor, others may require a building consent to ensure that they meet the local requirements for performance, safety, and function.
A building consent is formal permission issued by your local building authority that your proposed renovation is okay to be built. It ensures that there is a minimum level of performance and function, and that the materials and design will perform to the expected standard, protecting your family and investment well into the future.
If you're planning to extend your two-bedroom home to accommodate a growing family, or add a 'Granny Flat' with an additional bathroom and kitchenette, you'll need a building consent. However, if you're simply repainting your spare room to a soft pink colour to accommodate a pending child, you can go at it without a building consent.
Minor changes to electrical fittings, such as installing a pendant light, also won't trigger the need for a building consent, as long as you're using a qualified professional. This allows you to proceed with your renovation project unhindered by compliance costs associated with the council.
However, renovations that require structural changes or elements that affect safety or building performance will demand a building consent. For example, adding windows in dark bedrooms, changing the cladding of your building, or converting your garage to a new room for the house.
The most common grey area is with bathroom renovations and upgrades. Any cosmetic changes, such as painting, tiling additional areas, or changing a light fitting, would be considered minor and therefore not require a building consent. But if you want to go from an acrylic lined shower to a tiled walk-in shower, you may need consent to ensure the work is done professionally and there are no leaks.
Another good example of a grey area is cladding replacement. Generally, like-for-like replacement shouldn’t require a building consent. However, if your building has been identified as a leaky building, you will need a building consent. This is so that any damage that may be created by a leaky home gets fully rectified, and ensures the same mistakes aren’t repeated.
It’s important not to take shortcuts and avoid the small fee for the work being registered with the council, as this could lead to problems when you go to sell your home in the future and the purchaser discovers your home isn't fully compliant with council requirements.
If you're unsure if you need a building consent, it's best to engage with a professional builder. Once they understand what you're trying to achieve, they can help you achieve your renovation dream without feeling out of control or confused about whether you need a building consent.
