Construction Documents Checklist (WA)
The practical document set that supports your building permit, inspections, and insurance — and the common gaps that cause delays.
General information only. Confirm document requirements with your building surveyor / permit authority for your project.
In 30 seconds
- Your construction documents are the plans/specs/engineering that support the building permit.
- They also drive quoting, scheduling, and the evidence you need for inspections and final approval.
- Most owner-builder headaches come from unclear scope or documents that don’t match.
What “construction documents” means
Construction documents are the set of drawings, specifications and supporting reports that define what will be built, how it will be built, and what standards it must meet.
In WA, these documents are typically used to support your building permit, guide your trades, and demonstrate compliance at mandatory inspection stages.
Starter checklist (typical residential projects)
Drawings
- Site plan (incl. boundaries, setbacks, levels where relevant)
- Floor plans, elevations and sections
- Structural framing details (where relevant)
- Wet area details (bathroom/laundry/waterproofing zones)
Specifications
- Materials and finishes schedule
- Energy-efficiency / glazing / insulation notes (as required)
- Product selections that affect compliance (windows, balustrades, membranes, etc.)
Engineering & supporting documents (project-dependent)
- Soil report / site classification (where required)
- Structural engineering drawings and computations (where required)
- Truss/shop drawings and certification (where applicable)
Compliance evidence (don’t leave this to the end)
- Variation log (what changed, when, why, and who approved)
- Photo set of hidden work before it’s covered
- Trade compliance certificates (electrical/plumbing/gas/waterproofing as applicable)
Common document traps
- Drawings don’t match (architect vs engineer vs what trades quote from)
- Scope is vague so quotes vary wildly (then you get variations later)
- Changes happen informally and the “as-built” position is unclear
- Missing evidence for hidden work (then inspections/sign-off get harder)
Practical rule
If you can’t explain the scope in one page, you’re not ready to quote it — and you’re not ready to insure it.
Where construction documents fit in the WA process
- Confirm owner-builder pathway (including Owner-Builder Approval if required)
- Resolve planning pathway (if applicable)
- Prepare construction documents suitable for building permit + quoting
- Obtain building permit and follow mandatory inspections
Related WA pages