What the estimate includes
The figure covers the three parts you pay to Auckland Council on a straightforward residential consent: the lodgement deposit (a fixed processing fee plus an inspection allowance), the Code Compliance Certificate, and the MBIE, BRANZ and accreditation building levies. Council fees are cost-recovery, so the deposit is reconciled against the actual processing and inspection hours – the final invoice can move up or down from the estimate.
💡 Homeowner tip: a complete application is the single biggest lever on both cost and time. Missing details trigger a request for information (RFI), which stops the statutory clock and adds processing hours you’ll be billed for.
Please note: fees change – Auckland Council updates its schedule around 1 July each year, and the MBIE and BRANZ levies are being combined into a single levy during 2026. Confirm current figures with Auckland Council before you budget, and refer any Restricted Building Work to a Licensed Building Practitioner.
Common questions
Does this include my architect, engineer and other design fees?
No. This estimates the fees you pay Auckland Council for the building consent itself. Design, engineering and documentation are separate – Sonder can give you those figures as part of a feasibility discussion.
Is the deposit the final cost?
Not quite. The deposit you pay at lodgement is a fixed processing fee plus an inspection allowance. Council consent fees are cost-recovery, so they reconcile the deposit against the actual hours spent assessing and inspecting – the final invoice can be higher or lower.
Do the building levies always apply?
The MBIE building levy applies to work valued at $65,000 or more, and the BRANZ levy from $20,000. The tool applies each one automatically based on the build cost you enter. These levies are being merged into a single charge during 2026, so treat them as indicative.
Want the full picture – consent fees, design fees and build cost together? That’s exactly what a feasibility session gives you.
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