Tighter building controls only months away

New building industry regulations will protect the public from ‘cowboys’ who have left a legacy of heartache and costs for some homeowners.

New rules that take effect on 1 March 2012 mean that, before the first nail is driven on a project, it has to be established the work is being carried out by a suitably-qualified and licensed building practitioner.

The design must also meet basic standards to ensure the building is structurally sound and does not leak.

Far North District Council building manager Paul Cook says the changes will create a regime in which the building industry is required to accept responsibility for its actions.

Mr Cook says the major change in March is the full introduction of the Licensed Building Practitioner scheme.

After this date, if you need a new house built or want to make alterations or extensions, the design and construction work will need to be carried out by trades-people licensed by the Department of Building and Housing.

Most of this work will fit into a new Restricted Building Work category.

This will require licensed trades-people to provide memorandums or certificates detailing the essential design and construction methods they plan to use on a particular project.

These will need to address key areas, including the primary structure, external moisture management and also fire management if it is an apartment building.

Design and construction memorandum/certificates will be checked for compliance with the building code before a building consent is issued.

Normal inspections will be carried out during construction to ensure the intent of the certificates is being met.

The restricted building work category will apply to residential buildings from houses to medium-sized apartment blocks.

Commercial buildings will be excluded and have different assurance programmes.

The council, as a building consent authority, will be able to bring to account builders who are not performing through industry professional associations and the new Building Practitioners Board.