A new rule to speed up building inspections comes into force today, with Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk announcing that councils must now complete at least 80 percent of inspections within three working days of being requested.

Mr Penk said the change was designed to reduce one of the biggest frustrations for builders, who often wait a week or more for inspections.

Each lost day, he noted, adds around $400 to the cost of a project.

The new target applies to Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) nationwide, including Auckland Council, which oversees inspections across the Hibiscus Coast.

With many Coasties building new homes or adding extensions, faster inspection times could save both time and money.

Councils will have flexibility in how they meet the target, whether by prioritising higher-risk projects or using more remote inspections.

Performance will be monitored, with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) publishing quarterly wait-time data for every council from the end of this year.

The Government is also progressing wider building reforms, including allowing homeowners to build granny flats up to 70 square metres without a consent, and developing a self-certification scheme for trusted builders, plumbers and drainlayers to sign off their own work.

Mr Penk said the measures would help reduce inefficiencies and free up councils to focus on their core role, while also ensuring “cowboy builders, not ratepayers,” are held accountable for shoddy work.

For Coasties, the new rules mean less time waiting around on site and fewer costly hold-ups on local building projects.

Seen something local we should cover?

Let us know at [email protected]