NZ Self-Certification Scheme: What It Means for Plumbing Auckland, Drain Laying & Emergency Repairs
Rob Cunningham – Director of AllGo Plumbing.
Self-certification of work.
To date, AllGo Plumbing & Drainage has been approved to do their own certification of drain laying for Auckland residential clients. This has been approved by the local Auckland City Council.
The current discussion is around the move to allow Auckland drain laying and plumbing firms to self-certify their work moving forward. This is not in place yet but is in discussion for possible implementation later in the year
Pro- projects can move faster without the need for additional red tape. Reduces project costs and provides more control to the property owner and their chosen tradesperson
Cons – not all companies may do the right thing or may not have the internal procedures in place to self-audit.
Rob – says – there is excitement and caution. It will allow for faster turnaround on projects, but “buyer be aware”. Whilst an Auckland plumbing company such as ours maintains a high standard, we are aware of others in the industry that may not. Looking to the future, it is important that checks and balances are put into place for some operators.
Why Choose AllGo Plumbing & Drainage for your drain laying project?
Comprehensive Services
- Drain unblocking (including storm water drains)
- Drain laying and comprehensive plumbing maintenance
- CCTV drain inspection (detect issues before they escalate
- Plumbing renovations for kitchens, bathrooms and more
- Site Assessment and Planning of Drains
- Earthworks and Digging Drain Trenches
- Pipe Supply and Installation for stormwater and sewer lines
- Connecting to Council or private sewage mains
- Stormwater Drainage, including gutter downpipe connections to underground drains.
- Laying soakage trenches or chambers to disperse rainwater
- Sewerage Drainage, including connecting toilets, kitchens, laundry outlets to the main sewer lines
- Installing or relocating septic tank inflow/outflow pipes
- Domestic Drains and Branch Lines from toilets, showers, sinks into the main drains
- Gravity and Pumped Drainage Systems
- CCTV Video-inspecting existing drains to identify collapse, roots or offsets
- CCTV assessment to verify that new drain installations are correctly graded and sealed
- Pipe testing and compliance checks, and sign off of our own work. Including pressure testing of new sewer lines and completing Auckland City Council forms to ensure compliance with the NZ building code.
- Backfilling and Compaction after trenches are built, and restoring services with concrete, asphalt or lawn after the work is completed.
- Linking rain tanks to underground drains for overflow management and ensuring filters and first-flush diverters are installed correctly
- Drainage Renovations and Upgrades, including replacing old clay, cast-iron or damaged pipes with modern materials.
- Stormwater maintenance, including clearing silt, roots or debris from stormwater systems.
- Restoring septic tanks effluent dispersal fields or soak pits when they need upgrading due to not performing properly.
- Emergency Drain Laying and Repairs when a rapid response to collapsed drains, broken lines or major blockages is required.
- In emergencies, temporary bypass pumping while permanent drain laying is arranged
- Commercial and Industrial Drain work, including installing larger-diameter pipelines for factories, shopping centres or apartment blocks
- Public drainage for developments
The current status quo remains, and here are some of the questions our drainlayers are often asked.
FAQs
What is plumbing self-certification, exactly?
It lets approved plumbers and drainlayers sign off their own work without council inspections, as long as they follow the Building Code rigorously.
How do I know if a firm is approved?
Ask them to show their accreditation. AllGo Plumbing’s approval is a matter of record, and we’ll happily share proof.
Will self-certification save me money?
Yes. You’ll avoid some council fees and extra inspection costs. But remember: true savings come when quality work prevents future emergencies.
Does self-certification apply to emergency plumber Auckland call-outs?
Absolutely. If your pipes burst at 2 am, a self-certified plumber can fix and report the job immediately.
What about CCTV drain inspection?
That’s still the plumbing standard for identifying hidden issues. A certified plumber uses CCTV to diagnose before or after work.
There are changes in the “pipeline” and we will be watching these closely. In the interim, if you are looking for a drainlayer in Auckland that is certified and qualified to do the job right first time, give AllGo Plumbing a call.