General Construction Building Checklist

• Document No.

• Audit Title

• Client / Site

• Conducted on

  Date

• Prepared by

• Location
  Address

• Personnel

General Building Checks

• Materials and products match what was specified

• Timber is at specified moisture levels on installation.

• Timber has the correct preservative treatment for its location.

• The house is set out correctly on the site.

• Plans and specifications are followed.

• Materials are installed to manufacturers’ instructions so you get the warranty.

• Finished construction is protected from the weather.

Early Stages Construction

• Earthmoving and excavation

• Is the hole for excavation staked out correctly?

• Are the walls vertical and even?

• Has it gone to the correct depth?

• Are all cut earth faces supported and “cut in”?

• Where can this affect neighbouring properties?

• Retaining walls

• Retaining walls must be included in the building consent and signed off.

• Is the ground supported during construction?

• Ensure the wall is drained behind and waterproofed/tanked if necessary.

• Footings and foundations

• Footings need to be straight and correctly positioned, though the finish doesn’t have to be smooth.

• Drainage and underground plumbing

• Are the pipes in the correct position, i.e. not where you may want to put paths or gardens?

• Are the drain holes or pipe vents in locations that will interfere with future use of the grounds, e.g. where you may want to put paths or entertaining areas?

• Are the vents in the right position?

• Will the drains carry sufficient water?

• Does your drainage system meet the Building Code?

• Concrete slabs

• The concrete is laid on top of several things put in beforehand. There is a layer of compacted base course, a polythene vapour barrier, plumbing pipes and pipes taking electrical and other cable, in-floor heating and polystyrene insulation if required.

• There are additives that can be applied to the concrete to reduce cracking during or following curing; the concrete can be coloured, polished and/or ground.

• Ensure the floor is fully laid in one pour and there is no lag between deliveries.

• Ensure the concrete is cured properly under advice from your builder.

• Scaffolding
  

• Is your builder using scaffolding or approved safety measures for working from heights. If not, they can be fined up to $500,000 and imprisoned for two years.

• Is the scaffolding secure?

• Are there safety barriers?

Flooring and Framing

• Wooden flooring
  

• Are the floor joists even and solid?

• Has the flooring timber been evenly laid?

• Has the timber been sufficiently seasoned?

• Are the plywood/chipboard panels secured properly and are they even – is there any movement or squeaks?

• Underfloor foil insulation is the minimum level of insulation you require under the Building Act but never shy away from increasing your level of insulation.

• Framing

• Are the nogs (the cross-bars in the framing) level with each other?

• Are the studs (the upright timber) as spaced correctly at 600mm?

• If using timber framing, is the timber sufficiently dry and of the correct preservative treatment?

• Are the doors and windows correctly positioned and of correct sizes? Are the bracing elements in place?

• Brick and block laying
  

• Have they been laid even and straight?

• Is there a satisfactory level of quality finish with no evidence of mortar splashes?

• Are the ventilation gaps free of excess mortar?

• Plumbing

• Will you have adequate water pressure? Discuss with your plumber, designer and bathroomware supplier together if you can – water pressure can be a major source of confusion on installation.

• Have you worked with your plumber to ensure the pipes will be quiet?

• Is the bathroom plumbing correctly positioned?

• Do you have sufficient outdoor taps for hoses wherever you may need them?

• Are the gas pipes all installed in the correct position?

• Check the correct filters are in place for pipe size and water pressure.

• Is the hot-water source close enough to the kitchen/bathroom taps to minimise time lag?

• Are the nogs (the cross-bars in the framing) level with each other?

• Are the studs (the upright timber) as spaced correctly at 600mm?

• If using timber framing, is the timber sufficiently dry and of the correct preservative treatment?

• Are the doors and windows correctly positioned and of correct sizes? Are the bracing elements in place?

Plumbing

• Will you have adequate water pressure? Discuss with your plumber, designer and bathroomware supplier together if you can – water pressure can be a major source of confusion on installation.

• Have you worked with your plumber to ensure the pipes will be quiet?

• Is the bathroom plumbing correctly positioned?

• Do you have sufficient outdoor taps for hoses wherever you may need them?

• Have you worked with your plumber to ensure the pipes will be quiet?

• Are the gas pipes all installed in the correct position?

• Check the correct filters are in place for pipe size and water pressure.

• Is the hot-water source close enough to the kitchen/bathroom taps to minimise time lag?

• Are the nogs (the cross-bars in the framing) level with each other?

• Are the studs (the upright timber) as spaced correctly at 600mm?

• If using timber framing, is the timber sufficiently dry and of the correct preservative treatment?

• Are the doors and windows correctly positioned and of correct sizes? Are the bracing elements in place?

Roofing

• Roofing

• All roofing must be laid straight and true and fixed correctly.

• Fixings (screws) must be evenly and neatly set out.

• All flashings, barge boards and ridge cappings must be in place.

• Do you have a guarantee with the roof?

• Have you supplied the roof shout?

• Framing

• Are the nogs (the cross-bars in the framing) level with each other?

• Are the studs (the upright timber) as spaced correctly at 600mm?

• If using timber framing, is the timber sufficiently dry and of the correct preservative treatment?

• Are the doors and windows correctly positioned and of correct sizes? Are the bracing elements in place?

Exterior Envelope

• Exterior cladding
  

• Is your cladding installer an LBP or being supervised by one?

• Is the cladding handled and installed as per manufacturer’s instructions with no damaged panels used? (Important - if not, warranties may be void)

• Are the flashings done correctly and properly waterproofed?

• Are the joins in panels even and level and regular?

• If using flat panels, is there sufficient weatherproofing?

• Are battens used to aid in drainage for water that gets behind the cladding?

• Is the cladding finished properly so the job looks neat?

• Weather-tightness
  

• Are the nogs (the cross-bars in the framing) level with each other?

• Are the studs (the upright timber) as spaced correctly at 600mm?

• If using timber framing, is the timber sufficiently dry and of the correct preservative treatment?

• Are the doors and windows correctly positioned and of correct sizes? Are the bracing elements in place?

• Brick and block laying
  

• Avoid decks enclosed by solid walls with a lack of drainage and perhaps a handrail attached to the top of the top of the wall – water cannot drain and the weather proofing skin may have been pierced by the handrails.

• Avoid wall cladding materials finished hard down onto a deck surface or paving or paths: the cladding will absorb water from the surface it is finished onto.

• Avoid wall cladding that extends below ground level or landscaping materials, including mulch, built up against the wall – materials that are continuously damp will quickly deteriorate.

• Avoid decks that are constructed to the same height as the internal floor, with no fall for drainage, compounded by an outlet that can get blocked.

• Avoid using silicon sealant rather than properly designed flashings. Ensure head and sill flashings are installed over windows and joinery.

• Ensure parapet walls have cap flashings.

• Kick-outs or diverters to apron flashings where roofs abut a wall surface ensure that water flows into the gutter and not down inside walls.

• Ensure monolithic claddings and tiled finishes have movement- control joints that allow building movement to occur without cracking the materials.

• Ensure adequate detailing on junctions between materials.

• Check the difference in levels between the surface outside and floor inside and/or that there is good drainage – without these the building may well fail to meet the performance requirements of the Building Code.

• Window joinery

• Are the windows and sliders the correct size and design on delivery?

• Have they been fitted with sufficient waterproofing?

• Check correct and effective flashing has been installed.

• Gutters and downpipes

• Do the gutters have the correct fall to ensure no pooling of water?

• Are the gutters installed correctly with overflow relief in case of blockage so heavy rain does not flow into wall cavities?

• Have you chosen a colour that complements the roof and external colour of the house, and has that colour actually been installed?

• Are the correct downpipes installed – colour, materials, profile (shape)?

• Are the downpipes in the correct location so they don’t interfere with external gates or the lines of your home?

Behind the Wall

• Insulation

• Have you got the correct R (heat retention) levels or better?

• Has it been correctly installed as per manufacturers’ specifications?

• Ensure there are no gaps - including corners in the joinery – these can reduce efficiency by as much as 40%.

• Discuss reducing thermal bridging in window framing with designer and builder.

• Wiring and lighting

• Do you have enough power points and in the right positions?

• Are the power points and light switches installed evenly on the wall?

• Are the transformers correct for the types of lights you have installed?

• Are the lights selected correct for the specific job you want them for?

• Are the light fittings in the correct position for the tasks you wish to undertake or the ambience you want?

• Has the electrician created holes for the lights in the correct position?

• During installation, has the electrician installed the correct lights in the right places in the right way?

• Phone and broadband wiring
  

• For new homes or major renovations are you installing structured cabling in a ‘star’ configuration, with each outlet wired back to a home distributor box?

• Do you have phone / broadband outlets in all areas? A double RJ45 outlet is recommended for bedrooms and other normally occupied rooms, with multiple outlets in the lounge, rumpus room and study.

• Are you using Cat5e cable or better?

• Is the computer cabling run separately to the electrical wiring?

• Ultrafast Broadband is rolling out around the country - have you taken advantage of supply in your area, and do you have the right technical set up at home?

Kitchens

• Is the benchtop the correct size? If not, negotiate with your kitchen manufacturer to replace or discount.

• Are cupboards installed above the bench fitted properly to the ceiling and/or walls?

• Are powerpoints installed at correct locations and with fittings that minimise intrusion onto benchspace or tight spaces?

• Ensure workmanship on joinery is an acceptable standard, with well-fitted joins and hardware.

Interiors

• Interior Lining
  

• Have you checked with alternative wallboard suppliers to ensure you have the best product and best price for your project? (You don't necessarily need to use the default product specified)

• Is the wallboard handled and installed as per manufacturer’s instructions with no damaged panels used?

• Ensure framing is dry and straight. The use of thicker 13mm plasterboard with metal ceiling battens helps provide a straighter ceiling.

• Wall sheets should be fixed horizontally, as horizontal joints are less visible.

• To reduce the visibility of any imperfections use light colours and flat paints or textured wallpaper and avoid lighting that strikes a wall at a shallow angle.

• Use light shades or recessed downlights and position windows away from the edges of walls and ceilings or use shades.

• Plastering of the joins is critical, especially in ceilings in open- plan living areas – a single large ceiling is almost impossible to get completely flat but a poor job will be obvious and bug you for years.

• Do you have the correct panels for specific rooms; e.g. waterproof in the bathroom, fire-rated in the kitchen, sound- proof in the bedrooms?

• Are they even and undamaged?

• Ask what level of finish is being done?

• See our Product Selection section here for more information
  http://www.buildingguide.co.nz/suppliers/interiors/

• Interior and exterior painting
  

• Ensure correct paints are used in areas like kitchens and bathrooms, doors and window frames.

• Look for sloppy work and make sure it is cleaned up. Ensure angles are cut in to keep lines sharp.

• Is the preparatory work of a sufficient standard – filling holes, touching up plaster sanding, use of correct undercoats?

• Are the paints being used the brands you specified or cheaper alternatives?

• Have the painters got the correct colours as specified?

• Ask what level of finish is being done?

• See our Product Selection section here for more information
  http://www.buildingguide.co.nz/suppliers/interiors/

Heating and Air-Conditioning

• Do you have sufficient heating units for your new home?

• Have they been correctly installed as per manufacturers’ specifications?

• Is the gas flued to reduce moisture build-up inside?

• Have you considered the trade-off between purchase price and running cost?

Bathroom

• Don’t forget ventilation and heating, especially underfloor heating. The room must be able to be fully dry within 30 minutes.

• Check that sufficient waterproofing is done.

• Ensure all glass is of correct NZ standard.

• Check tiles for chipping after laying and after other major items installed so damaged tiles can be replaced.

Outdoor

• Fencing

• Have you discussed the fence with your neighbour?

• Has the correct grade of timber been used?

• Has the correct grade of timber been used?

• Is the fence the correct height or do you need to get building consent?

• Decks

• If solid deck attached at the wall, is the drainage sufficient?

• Check where decks attach to walls to ensure the proper procedures are followed and weathertightness is achieved.

• Have attachments to walls been done properly?

• Is the deck rated to hold sufficient people?

• Rubbish removal
  

• There will be rubbish left behind by the tradespeople and sub-contractors. Specialist companies can dispose of this in an environmentally sound manner.

Interiors

• Interior Lining
  

• Have you checked with alternative wallboard suppliers to ensure you have the best product and best price for your project? (You don't necessarily need to use the default product specified)

• Is the wallboard handled and installed as per manufacturer’s instructions with no damaged panels used?

• Ensure framing is dry and straight. The use of thicker 13mm plasterboard with metal ceiling battens helps provide a straighter ceiling.

• Wall sheets should be fixed horizontally, as horizontal joints are less visible.

• To reduce the visibility of any imperfections use light colours and flat paints or textured wallpaper and avoid lighting that strikes a wall at a shallow angle.

• Use light shades or recessed downlights and position windows away from the edges of walls and ceilings or use shades.

• Plastering of the joins is critical, especially in ceilings in open- plan living areas – a single large ceiling is almost impossible to get completely flat but a poor job will be obvious and bug you for years.

• Do you have the correct panels for specific rooms; e.g. waterproof in the bathroom, fire-rated in the kitchen, sound- proof in the bedrooms?

• Are they even and undamaged?

• Ask what level of finish is being done?

• See our Product Selection section here for more information
  http://www.buildingguide.co.nz/suppliers/interiors/

• Interior and exterior painting
  

• Ensure correct paints are used in areas like kitchens and bathrooms, doors and window frames.

• Look for sloppy work and make sure it is cleaned up. Ensure angles are cut in to keep lines sharp.

• Is the preparatory work of a sufficient standard – filling holes, touching up plaster sanding, use of correct undercoats?

• Are the paints being used the brands you specified or cheaper alternatives?

• Have the painters got the correct colours as specified?

• Ask what level of finish is being done?

• See our Product Selection section here for more information
  http://www.buildingguide.co.nz/suppliers/interiors/