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Small plumbing and drainage work

Small drainage or plumbing projects under $5,000 will need a minor works building consent.

1. Get a building consent

You must have a building consent when installing new drains, sanitary fixtures or tiled wet areas.

This includes:

  • digging new drains
  • installing or replacing a tiled shower
  • installing any new shower or toilet in an existing bathroom or laundry where a shower or toilet wasn't there before.

How to apply

The process to apply is the same as a regular building consent, but fewer fees apply.

When applying for a minor works plumbing consent, make sure your documentation only includes the building work that requires consent to ensure an ease of assessment, and that the work shown on the plans remains under $5,000

Example: Your undertaking a bathroom refurbishment but the only work that requires consent is the conversion of the existing acrylic shower to a tiled wet area. Only the consent documentation for the tiled shower work needs to be shown and specified.

Applying for a building consent

What it costs

Residential buildings (up to two household units on a property): $510.00 – this includes the lodgement fee, plan check fee, code compliance certificate fee and a maximum of 1.75 hours of inspection time.

Commercial buildings or multi-residential buildings (more than two household units on a property): $1,561.00 – this includes the lodgement fee, plan check fee, code compliance certificate fee and a maximum of 2.5 hours of inspection time.

There's an additional $51.75 fee if you apply online.

Building consent fees

2. Hire a registered plumber or drainlayer

Plumbing and drainlaying work must be done or supervised by a registered plumber or drainlayer.

Your plumber or drainlayer may also be able to help you submit your building consent application.

Public register - Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board

Hiring professionals

3. Book the inspections

The inspections you need will be listed in your building consent approval letter.

The fee for minor residential plumbing or drainage works covers a maximum of 1.75 hours of inspection time.

You will receive an invoice if any additional hours are required. This must be paid before your code compliance certificate is issued.

Building inspections

4. Apply for your code compliance certificate

Once the work has passed its final inspection, you need to apply for a code compliance certificate.

This certifies that the work is safe and complies with the building consent.

Applying for your code compliance certificate

Need help?

The Building Compliance and Consents team is available Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.

Building Compliance and Consents
Phone: 04 801 4311
Email: bcc@wcc.govt.nz