Building Surveyor Kairūri Whare

Building surveyors inspect plans and building constructions to see if buildings are, or will be, built correctly. They may also issue certificates, write reports and help owners and potential buyers with construction problems and solutions.

Building surveyors can apply to become accredited or registered through the Building Officials Institute of New Zealand, the New Zealand Institute of Building Inspectors, or the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors.

• Building Officials Institute of New Zealand website - information about the Accredited Building Surveyor programme
• New Zealand Institute of Building Inspectors website - information about registration
• New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors website - information about registration

Building surveyors may do some or all of the following:

• inspect plans and/or building constructions to see if buildings are, or will be, built correctly
• check for problems such as presence of asbestos, methamphetamine (P), damp or mould
• discuss building work and regulations with builders, architects, owners and property buyers
• assess and report on problems or potential problems with the design, location or materials of buildings
• advise on solutions for existing or potential problems with land or buildings
• assess building conditions for property owners or potential owners, banks and insurance companies, and provide them with specialist reports
• help resolve building disputes, or administer construction contracts.

Building control officers who work for councils may also:

• process building consent applications
• check that buildings comply with approved plans, and relevant laws and regulations such as the Building Act 2004
• issue relevant notices or certificates, depending on whether the building meets requirements or not.

To work in building control for a council

Building control processing for a council

This office-based work, checking plans and issuing building consents, usually requires:

• at least three to four years' work experience in relevant work such as architecture or drafting
• a relevant qualification such as a diploma or Bachelor's degree in architecture or architectural drafting.

Building control inspection for a council

This site-based work, checking construction, usually requires:

• ten to 20 years' work experience in building
• a relevant qualification such as a diploma or Bachelor's degree in fields such as building science, construction, architecture or engineering.

On-the-job qualifications for building control officers

Building control officers can study for the New Zealand Diploma in Building Surveying (Level 6), offered by The Skills Organisation, while they are working. This qualification is replacing the current:

• National Diploma in Building Control Surveying - Small Buildings (Level 5)
• National Diploma in Building Control Surveying - Medium and Large Buildings (Level 6).

• Information about the New Zealand Diploma in Building Surveying
• Information about National Diplomas in Building Control Surveying

Auckland Council's programme for graduates to become building inspectors

Auckland Council trains graduates in architecture, construction management or civil engineering to become building inspectors.

• Auckland Council careers website - information about the graduate programme

Subject Recommendations

A minimum of four years of secondary education is recommended. Useful subjects include English, maths, physics, construction and mechanical technologies, and digital technologies.

Related Careers

Building surveyors may become self-employed or move into management.

If they work for a city or district council as a building control officer, they may specialise in: 

• building control processing – receiving and processing building consents and reviewing plans
• building control inspection – carrying out on-site inspections to make sure buildings are built correctly.