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HOW TO FIND TRADESMEN IN NZ

By Trish Willis | Member of Property Institute of NZ (IPAC)

Hiring a tradesperson will not always guarantee good workmanship. To help you avoid regret, Wise Up NZ has sound advice on getting trade quotes, contracts, budgets, payments and consents so you can Wise Up and make the right decision about hiring tradesmen.

In our view, Kiwis are too trusting and not knowledgeable enough about how to find and objectively select the right tradespeople to work on their most valuable assets.

No tradesman licence, no comeback

If your tradesperson is not licensed, you risk having no come back should their work be sub-standard or non-compliant.

The consequences of not hiring a Registered Master Builder (RMB) or a licensed tradesperson can be devastating.

A building inspection conducted for a buyer or seller of a property is often the point when sub-standard work is identified - by which time it can make it even harder to address with the tradesman responsible. Many real estate sale and purchase agreements fall over at this point.

What DIY work can you do yourself?

There are restrictions on what DIY work you can legally do and it pays to be aware of these as it may affect your insurance cover.

If you're thinking of DIY, make sure you check the DIY trade guidelines first - you may have to use a tradesman.

People often use a friend or personal referral when choosing a tradesman but this should not be an exception to checking the relevant authority.

Government Licensed Building Practitioners

Licensed Building Practitioners (LPB's) are licensed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and include designers, carpenters, brick and block layers, roofers, external plasterers and site and foundations specialists.

LBPs are building practitioners who have been assessed as competent to carry out building work essential to the structure or weather tightness of residential buildings. A tradesman who is an LBP will likely have the LPB logo on their business card or other communications with you.

On the Public Register of Licensed Building Practitioners (LBPs) you can check if a person is licensed, view their license history and find out if they have been disciplined in the last three years.

Membership body for builders

The Registered Master Builders Association (RMBA) is a membership body for licensed builders.

All RMBA members are required to meet quality criteria and are assessed on the following:

Building experience
Trade and professional qualifications
Practical management experience
Workmanship and financial responsibility

RMBA provides consumer protection

GUARANTEE: A Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) who is a member of the RMBA can offer the peace of mind of a 10-year Master Build Guarantee on residential work.

COMPLAINTS PROCESS: The RMBA has an independent complaint process available to those who use a Registered Master Builder should it be needed.

Having an unlicensed builder doing shoddy work is one of the most expensive and devastating mistakes consumers can make.

It's too late for regret when a building inspection shows unlevel flooring, or a multitude of other issues is uncovered during a building inspection.

NZ Certified Builders Association

The NZ Certified Builders Association (NZCBA) is a membership organisation established in 1998 to protect homeowners from unqualified builders and unethical practices and promote excellence in building standards.

NZCB has an extensive membership of builders throughout New Zealand carrying the NZCB stamp of approval. Members must hold a recognised trade qualification equivalent to or better than National Trade Certificate in Carpentry Level 4.

To ensure high standards are maintained, they also take into account a builder’s history of stability and success, continued solvency, absence of complaints by customers and suppliers, a good untarnished reputation and brand, and consistently high standards.

Industry body for painters

Don't get us started on shoddy paint jobs!

They can look terrible, cost more, require repairing and have a shorter life. A completely preventable situation and it's all up to you.

Master Painters NZ exists to protect the consumer by having a code of practice that painters must abide by.

You can find a Master Painter, raise a concern, download helpful fact sheets or get a quote by Master Plumbers in your area.

Industry body for plumbers/gasfitters and drainlayers

The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board is the place to find help and advice on these trades.

Complaints can be made to the board or if you know of someone working unlawfully in this field, this is also the place to go.

The consequences of unaligned or leaky plumbing can be far reaching, well beyond what is immediately visible.

When contemplating a plumbing, drain laying or gas fitting job, ask for help to make a sound decision.

New Zealand industry body for electricians

If selling a house, inspecting the age and quality of electrical wiring in a property is often a priority for buyers so they can determine what might need to be spent on the property.

As a seller, have this information up front for buyers and if you have any illegal work done, get it redone and a compliance certificate before you start the real estate process.

If you need more info, check out the Master Electricians website.

For properties built prior to 1938, an electrical warrant of fitness is often required for getting insurance approved.

Consumer Protection help about quotes, contracts and estimates

Consumer Protection is a Government organisation under the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) that serves to protect the consumer.

In relation to engaging tradespeople to work on your property, there is advice here about over-charging or incomplete work and getting quotes and estimates. You should be informed about whether you need to have a contract with your tradesman.

Ask for their authorisation card

Make sure you ask a trades person for their authorisation card to do the work and if they don't have one, don't use them.

Kiwis often use friends or family tradies to do their DIY jobs - always view their licence card.

You can also see information about the Consumer Guarantees Act here and whether you may be able to use this avenue for seeking remedy to any issues you may have had.

Wise Up NZ Awarded Most Reputable Property Advice Hub NZ 2021

Page updated November 29, 2022 by Trish Willis | Member of Property Institute of NZ (IPAC)

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