Independent Building Consent in NZ: A Brilliant Idea or Bureaucratic Bypass?

The building Act 2004 has allowed for private firms to compete against the local Councils in order to speed up consenting and now 20 years later, the first private company (Building Consent Approval Limited) has been birthed!(1)

Sourced: Tony Sewell, chairperson of Building Consent Approvals Ltd, pictured on a Rolleston construction site with left, Selwyn MP Nicola Grigg, Selwyn mayor Sam Broughton and South Island Minister, James Meager. The new company is the first authorised to issued building consents.Peter Meecham / The Press

If you've ever tried to get building consent through your local council in New Zealand, you've probably had time to grow a beard, write a novel, and take up interpretive dance while you waited. That’s where independent Building Consent Authorities like Building Consent Approval Limited (BACL) are offering what they promise is a speedier, less bureaucratic path to that magical piece of paper saying “Yes, you may build.”

But is going independent actually better, or just a detour with its own potholes?

Let’s dig into the concrete (pun intended) pros and cons of going with an independent BCA versus your trusty local council inspector.

The Bright Side of Going Independent

First and foremost: speed. Independent BCAs like ‘Building Consent Approval Limited’ will pride themselves on faster turnaround times. BACL have said that they will offer 10 days turn around (2) for building consent applications and bring that down to just a couple of days for the simple pre-approved builds.

This is in the face of the current embarrassing stats showing that only 3 out of the 66 councils in NZ are sticking to their 20 day statutory maximum to turn around Building Consents.

Many of us are aware of the strategic way the Councils handled the oppressive 20 day maximum turn around, as they would often email you for missing information about 18 days after you applied. This would set the clock again and the Council will have another 20 days to issue the consent. While council queues continue to resemble a slow-moving conga line, the new independent BCAL is suggesting they can get your consent processed faster than it takes your council to return a voicemail.

Another perk is specialised service. BCAL will be a leaner machine, staffed by experienced professionals who actually answer the phone and don’t redirect you to “Form 476-A, subclause C”. Their business model depends on delivering efficient and reliable service, so they’ve got skin in the game when it comes to customer satisfaction.

But Wait, It’s Not All Hammer and Nails

Before you start celebrating like you’ve just nailed framing day, be warned: there are some disadvantages to sidestepping the council.

Some types of buildings, alterations, most likely the more difficult ones, will need to be handled by the Council. The private company (BACL) will be keen to show their low turn around average as their commitment on their website shows (3). The pre-approved cookie-cutter buildings are likely to be the ones that most often cross the building analyst’s desk at the BCAL offices. The quicker the average turn around the shinier the company will shine.

Unlike the Councils in NZ, the newly formed BCAL can work with whoever they like, if the project is too cumbersome and it is more profitable to carry out ‘click, stamp and collect’ applications, then the big ones will be turned away.

Then there’s the coordination headache. While the independent BCA might process your building consent, you still have to deal with the local council for things like resource consent and infrastructure connections. So rather than one convoluted process, you could end up with two separate convoluted processes. It’s like ordering parts of a burger from two different drive-thru’s.

Cost is another factor. While independents may charge competitive fees, the total cost can balloon if you have to engage both the independent BCA and the council at different stages. Not to mention any added consultant or coordination fees if your project needs to jump between the two.

So… Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between your local council and an independent BCA like Building Consent Approval Limited is a bit like choosing between flying budget or going business class. Want fast and flexible with fewer frills? The independent BCA might be your ticket. Need a one-stop-shop with all the boxes ticked (eventually)? Council it is.

Ultimately, it depends on your project, your patience, and your personal tolerance for bureaucratic nonsense. Just remember, whether you're dealing with council staff or independent certifiers—always read the fine print, double-check the scope of service, and keep your builder supplied with plenty of coffee.

Because nothing, nothing, delays a build like a missing consent form.

References

Independent Building Consent in NZ: A Brilliant Idea or Bureaucratic Bypass?

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