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Questions and answers

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What technical information will I need to provide to the Department when seeking a MultiProof?
What is the standard of documentation required?
What if further information is required?
What happens if I choose to withdraw an application?
What if I don’t pay the invoice?
Will a building consent still be needed?
Will there still be inspections and code compliance certificates?
When applying to a BCA for a building consent, what if I want to make customisations to the design that the Department has not specifically approved?
What will I need to provide the BCA when I seek a building consent for a MultiProof design?
What if I want to make amendments or substitutions to the building consent, once building work has begun?
What if there is a dispute with the BCA during construction or during the issuing of a code compliance certificate?
Can I sell, transfer or assign an approval?
What if I have any queries or concerns?

1. What technical information will I need to provide to the Department when seeking a MultiProof?

This will depend on the materials and design solutions that you intend to use. You will need to satisfy the Department that the proposed design, once built, will comply with the Building Code in every respect, including structural stability, safety, weathertightness, living amenity and energy efficiency. In many instances, the Department will require the same or similar information as that sought by building consent authorities (BCAs) when issuing a building consent.

2. What is the standard of documentation required?

The Department will require the same or similar information as that sought by building consent authorities (BCAs) when issuing a building consent.

You will need to provide full, buildable plans and specifications, including details of specific materials and brands. If you use multiple suppliers for building products, such as plasterboard, you will need to provide full details of all materials you intend to use including the manufacturer’s brand name.

3. What if further information is needed?

The Department will identify whether any further information is needed and will ask you to supply it. You are not obliged to provide any of the further information sought; however, incomplete information may lead to your application being delayed or declined.

4. What happens if I choose to withdraw an application?

You can withdraw your application at any time. You will be charged for any costs incurred in processing the application up to the time of withdrawal.

If the costs exceed the amount of the application pre-payment held by the Department, you will be issued with an invoice for the outstanding amount..

If costs are less than the amount of the Application pre-payment, the Department will refund you the unspent portion or $500, whichever is greater amount.

5. What if I don’t pay the invoice?

Once an invoice has been issued by the Department, you will need to make full payment before the Department can issue your National Multiple-Use Approval certificate..

6. Will a building consent still be needed?

Yes, a building consent will be needed each time you want to build a design that has been issued with a National Multiple-Use Approval. This is to enable the local building consent authority (BCA) to check that the approval conditions will be met on the proposed site and that the site-specific features of the design (such as foundations) comply with the Building Code.

The BCA is required to decide your building consent application within 10 working days instead of the usual 20.

The BCA will also charge its own processing fee, which may be reduced because the Building Code compliance of the majority of the design has already been established.

7. Will there still be inspections and code compliance certificates?

Yes, these proceed as normal. The BCA is likely to undertake the same number of inspections on a MultiProof project as with other buildings of the same type to ensure what is built each time complies with the building consent. Normal fees will still be payable for these inspections and the issuing of a code compliance certificate.

8. When applying to a BCA for building consent, what if I want to make customisations to the design that the Department has not specifically approved?

You can only rely on a MultiProof for demonstrating Building Code compliance if you build the design that the Department has approved, including any allowed customisations shown on the approval certificate.

If, when applying for a building consent, you want to make any customisations that have not been specifically approved by the Department, you will have to apply to the BCA for a building consent, as usual. The BCA will assess the whole design for Building Code compliance and its normal processing period of 20 working days will apply.

9. What will I need to provide the BCA when I seek a building consent for a MultiProof design?

You will need to provide:

any building consent form and fee that the BCA may require
full plans and specifications for the MultiProof design
the approval certificate (which will specify any approval conditions)
full site-specific details, such as drainage and foundations
notice to the BCA stating whether you have departed in any way from the Department-approved plans and specifications, including any approved customisations, and confirming that the design will meet any approval
conditions in the proposed site (such as climate or wind zone).

10. What if I want to make amendments or substitutions to the building consent once work has begun?

Once work has begun, any amendments will have to be approved by the BCA in the normal way. Depending on the extent of the amendment, the BCA may need to re-assess the plans for Building Code compliance, particularly in respect of the amended detail or any other parts of the building affected by the change.

It is in your interest to identify any likely customisations, amendments or substitutions at the time of submitting your application for a MultiProof so that the Department can include these in the approval as permitted customisations. This will help to ensure you benefit from the efficiency gains and time savings offered by National Multiple-Use Approvals.

11. What if there is a dispute with the BCA during construction or during the issuing of a code compliance certificate?

You will be able to seek a determination from the Department. In these cases, you should contact the Advisor, Client Services, National Multiple-Use Approval Service on 04 817 4254 to discuss this option further.

12. Can I sell, transfer or assign an approval?

You may transfer, sell, licence or assign the approved plans and specifications to another party (including a franchisee of your company) provided you notify the Department. This is to enable the MultiProof register to be updated.

13. What if I have any queries or concerns?

In the first instance, the Department encourages you to contact the Advisor, Client Services, National Multiple-Use Approval Service who has been allocated to assist you in your application for a MultiProof, on 04 817 4254. If you still have concerns, you should then contact the Department’s Manager, National Multiple-Use Approval Service through the Advisor, Client Services or on 0800 242 243.