Many homeowners search for retrospective building consent, but for work already built the correct pathway is often a Certificate of Acceptance or another council route.
Bottom line
The right route depends on whether the work is proposed or already built, whether a consent already exists, what council has asked for, and whether the completed work can be verified.
Best fit
Use this pathway when the situation matches the points on the right. If the work is proposed rather than completed, start with Building Consent Services instead.
People told by an agent, lawyer, bank or council that retrospective consent may be needed.
Owners who already built the work and are unsure whether a normal consent is still possible.
Inherited unconsented work where the correct approval pathway is unclear.
What may be included
Review of whether the work is proposed, underway or completed.
Clarification of whether CoA, building consent, Council Support, planning advice or remedial work is more likely.
Advice on what to do before contacting council or spending on reports.
Links to the CoA guide and free feasibility tool for broader explanation and triage.
Council assessment
| Issue | What to clarify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | Whether the work has already been completed. | Normal building consent is generally for proposed work before construction. |
| Existing consent | Whether a consent was issued but never received CCC. | That may be a CCC or Council Support issue, not a standard CoA. |
| Evidence | Whether completed work can be reasonably verified. | CoA outcomes depend heavily on available evidence. |
| Remediation | Whether work needs to be opened up, repaired or re-documented. | Some issues cannot be solved by paperwork alone. |
Process
We review photos, property file information, LIM notes, owner details, invoices, drawings or council correspondence.
We separate what appears to be covered by the CoA question from work that may belong on another pathway.
We identify likely as-built drawings, specialist reports, photos, opening-up or product evidence that may be needed.
We help organise the documentation pathway before you spend money on the wrong report or application.
Related resources
The guide explains the rules in plain English, while the free tool helps you check whether the issue appears suitable for a CoA pathway before spending on reports.
Related pathways
FAQs
No. Council can only assess what can reasonably be verified after the work is complete. Hidden work may need opening up, specialist reports, remedial work or may be excluded.
No. A building consent is for proposed work before construction. A Certificate of Acceptance is a limited pathway for certain completed work that was carried out without the required consent.
Send photos, your address, a short description of the work, any council letters, LIM notes, property file information, invoices, drawings or reports you already have.
It is a common phrase, but it is often imprecise. The actual council pathway may be Certificate of Acceptance, Council Support, remedial consent work or another process.
Official references
These references help explain why evidence, scope and verification limits matter.
Send what was built, when it was built, and any council or property file information. We can help identify the likely route.
