House Alterations and Additions in Wairarapa

Structural building work, including additions and alterations, is on building.govt.nz's list of work that needs a building consent. The owner must apply for the consent before the building work begins, and carrying out building work that is not exempt without one is against the law.

Some alteration work is exempt. Replacing or altering a home's internal linings and its wall, ceiling and floor finishes needs no consent, although linings often provide bracing and fire resistance, so building.govt.nz recommends advice from a qualified building practitioner first. Repairs using comparable products, and replacing a building product with a comparable one in the same position, are usually exempt too. The exemption does not cover a complete or substantial replacement of something that contributes to the building's structure or fire safety, or the repair or replacement of something that has failed the Building Code's durability requirements, such as cladding that has let water in. Exempt or not, all building work must comply with the Building Code.

Design and building work on the primary structure or weathertightness of a home that needs a building consent is restricted building work, and must be carried out or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner, unless the homeowner has an owner-builder exemption for work on their own home. Building.govt.nz's guide to checking whether you need consents lists the common cases, and your council can confirm yours.