Comprehensive Construction Checklist
To help you maintain control over your house construction – and be another set of eyes for mistakes – we’ve put together a comprehensive construction checklist. Some of this you can do, some of this your designer can do.1. 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.
2. 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?
3. 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?
4. 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?
5. 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?
6. 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
__ 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 weatherproofing 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.
__ Ensure suspended timber floors have space below the floor for ventilation to remove moisture evaporating from the ground.
__ 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?
7. 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?
8. 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)
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.
__ s 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?
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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?
12. Outdoor
Fencing
__ Have you discussed the fence with your neighbour?
__ Has the correct grade of timber been used?
__ Are the vertical posts installed solidly and evenly?
__ 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 weather tightness is achieved.
__ Have attachments to walls been done properly?
__ Is the deck rated to hold sufficient people?