Planning a renovation, extension, or new build in Auckland? You’ve found the right builder, you’re excited to get started—and then the council paperwork hits.
Let’s face it: navigating Auckland Council’s consent process isn’t the most thrilling part of a home improvement project. But it’s one of the most important. Getting it right can mean a smooth, stress-free build. Getting it wrong? Costly delays, frustration, and even legal issues.
At Tailored Building Solutions, we handle council consent for Auckland homeowners every day—so you don’t have to. Here’s what you need to know before work begins.
What Is Council Consent?
Council consent is official approval from Auckland Council that allows your building project to legally go ahead.
There are two main types:
- Building Consent – Required for structural changes, such as extensions, new walls, plumbing and electrical work, or major renovations.
- Resource Consent – Needed when your project affects land use, such as building near boundaries, modifying a heritage site, or creating a secondary dwelling.
Important: Most renovation and building projects in Auckland require at least one form of consent. If you’re unsure, always check first—it’s far easier to confirm early than fix issues later.
Why Consent Matters
Skipping or delaying consent can lead to serious consequences, including:
- Costly council fines and immediate stop-work notices
- Lengthy project delays and budget overruns
- Problems when selling your home in the future
- Potential demolition or expensive remediation work
Put simply: consent protects you. And with expert guidance, it doesn’t have to be a headache.
How Long Does Consent Take?
Auckland Council aims to process complete applications within 20 working days. However, if information is missing or more detail is needed, that clock stops.
At TBS, we proactively manage this process—making sure your application is comprehensive and council-ready. This minimises delays, avoids unnecessary requests for more information (RFIs), and helps keep your build on schedule.
Who’s Responsible for Consent?
This is a common point of confusion:
- Is it the homeowner’s job?
- Should your architect handle it?
- Is your builder responsible?
When you work with Tailored Building Solutions, you don’t have to worry about who’s doing what. We take full ownership of the council consent process—collaborating closely with your architect, engineers, and council contacts to ensure everything is submitted, tracked, and signed off professionally.
What We Do for You
Our end-to-end consent management includes:
- Reviewing plans for compliance before submission
- Lodging building consent applications on your behalf
- Communicating directly with council officers
- Responding promptly to RFIs
- Scheduling inspections and managing final sign-offs
- Keeping you updated in clear, plain language
You’ll never be left chasing documents or waiting on answers—we handle it all.
Every Property Is Unique
Consent requirements vary depending on:
- Your property’s zoning
- The scope of your build or renovation
- Overlays or local restrictions (e.g. coastal or heritage zones)
- Specific council rules in your area
That’s why every project starts with a Free Project Consultation Call. We take the time to understand your property, your plans, and your priorities—then tailor a compliance strategy to suit.
We Make Consent Simple
You don’t need to become an expert in council paperwork. You just need the right team behind you.
At Tailored Building Solutions, we’ve built our reputation on simplifying complex processes, delivering quality outcomes, and creating stress-free renovation experiences for Auckland homeowners.
Book your Free Project Consultation Call today and find out exactly what consents your project needs—and how we’ll manage the process for you, start to finish.
