If building work has already been completed without the right approval, the first step is not to guess. We help identify whether a Certificate of Acceptance may be possible and what evidence council may need.
Bottom line
A CoA may be possible for some completed work, but council can only assess what can be reasonably verified. The right first step is to define the scope, evidence gaps and likely specialist inputs.
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.
Work found during a property file, LIM or pre-sale review.
Renovations, decks, rooms, sleepouts, bathrooms, drainage changes or conversions built without consent.
Owners wanting to understand risk before approaching council or paying for reports.
What may be included
A plain-English review of what work appears to be unconsented.
A likely pathway view: CoA, Council Support, planning advice, remedial work or new building consent.
An evidence list for photos, invoices, product information, opening-up, reports or as-built drawings.
Identification of possible engineering, fire, drainage, waterproofing or building surveyor input.
A clear next-step recommendation before you move into a full CoA package.
Council assessment
| Issue | What to clarify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | What work was actually completed and what parts need to be covered. | Council needs to know exactly what is being assessed. |
| Visibility | Which parts can be seen, tested, photographed or reasonably verified. | Hidden work may not be accepted without extra evidence. |
| Code issues | Structure, moisture, fire safety, drainage, durability and use changes. | Different unconsented work creates different evidence needs. |
| Ownership history | Whether you built it, inherited it or discovered it during sale due diligence. | Available records and responsibility may affect the practical pathway. |
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.
You can still investigate the pathway. The key issue is what evidence exists and whether the completed work can be reasonably verified, not only who carried it out.
Official references
These references help explain why evidence, scope and verification limits matter.
Send the address, photos, property file notes and a short description of what was built. We can help identify the likely route before you spend on the wrong documents.
