Restricted Building Work is defined in law to protect homeowners and buyers by ensuring that critical structural and weathertightness work is done by appropriately licensed people. For developers and renovators, RBW is less about theory and more about execution: who is allowed to do what, and what paperwork must be ready at CCC.
What is Restricted Building Work in plain English
RBW covers critical building elements of a home—work that, if done poorly, can seriously affect structural integrity or weathertightness.
Under guidance from Building Performance, RBW generally includes:
- Primary structure (foundations, framing, load-bearing elements)
- Weathertightness (cladding systems, roofs, flashings, critical junctions)
- Design of RBW (where the design itself affects structure or weathertightness)
If work is RBW, it must be carried out or supervised by an LBP who is licensed in the correct class.
LBP classes that matter most for residential projects
LBPs are licensed in specific classes. The most commonly involved in small-to-mid residential developments are:
- Carpentry (structure, framing, general RBW site works)
- Design (Levels 1–3) (design of RBW elements)
- External Plastering (for plaster cladding systems)
- Roofing (for certain roofing systems)
Licensing is administered by the Building Practitioners Board, and licence status can be publicly checked on the LBP Register.
Developer takeaway: having an LBP on site isn’t enough—the LBP must be licensed in the right class for the RBW being done.
What work is not RBW (but still regulated)
Not all regulated building work is RBW. For example:
- Electrical and gas work is regulated separately and must be done by licensed trades who issue Energy Work Certificates.
- Non-structural internal fit-out (painting, cabinetry, floor finishes) is not RBW.
Even when work isn’t RBW, councils still expect it to comply with the Building Code and the approved consent documents.
How councils check RBW during inspections
Councils don’t just “assume” RBW is compliant. During the build and at CCC stage, they typically check:
- Who carried out or supervised the RBW
- Whether the LBP class matches the work
- Whether Records of Work (RoW) are supplied
MBIE guidance explains that councils rely on LBP Records of Work to confirm RBW compliance as part of the consent and CCC process.
Records of Work (RoW): the document that often causes last-minute delays
A Record of Work is a formal statement completed by the LBP who carried out or supervised the RBW. It confirms:
- what RBW was done
- where it was done
- the LBP’s licence details
Councils expect RoWs before CCC can be issued.
Hamilton-specific note: Hamilton City Council states that CCC cannot be issued until final documentation is complete, which includes required LBP documentation and clearance of any outstanding consent/DC levies. Missing RoWs are a common reason CCC is delayed.
Common RBW mistakes developers make
These issues show up repeatedly on real projects:
- Using an LBP whose licence class doesn’t match the RBW
- Changing subcontractors mid-build and forgetting to update RoWs
- Treating RoWs as “end paperwork” instead of collecting them as work is completed
- Assuming a company licence covers RBW (RBW responsibility sits with individual LBPs)
Any one of these can force retrospective fixes or delay CCC.
A practical RBW workflow that keeps projects moving
Use this simple system on every site:
- Confirm RBW scope early
Identify which elements of the build are RBW at design/consent stage. - Match LBPs to scope
Confirm licence class and currency before work starts. - Track RBW by stage
Foundations, framing, cladding, roofing—log who is responsible for each. - Collect RoWs progressively
Don’t wait until the end. File RoWs as stages are completed. - CCC readiness check
Before booking the final inspection, confirm:
- all RBW RoWs are in
- licence details are current
- documents match the approved consent drawings
Why RBW matters commercially (not just legally)
RBW compliance affects:
- CCC timing (and therefore settlement and refinance dates)
- Sale risk (lawyers and buyers often ask for CCC and RBW evidence)
- Insurance confidence (especially for multi-unit or developer stock)
In short: RBW is a programme and risk issue, not just a compliance box.