Before you start your building project there are things that you can do to avoid issues with the practitioners you employee:
- Choose the right people for the job and check that they hold the appropriate registration or license.
- Have a clear contract (MBIE website) that sets out expectations of the parties involved.
- Understand the building consent process, and whether or not you need a building consent
- Understand the responsibilities of all involved in the building project including yourself as the owner or owner’s agent.
- If you are building a residential dwelling then you also need to understand restricted building work and how this affects you.
If an issue arises, you may be able to resolve the problem if you communicate with the person involved. Some good advice is given on the LBP website under the “Complaints” navigation tab, in particular, “Preventing disputes” and “Dispute resolution options”.
If this is unsuccessful then you do have the option to lay a complaint. Keep good records of the problem, and all communications. A complaint about a building practitioner must be made to the appropriate Board and the complaint must fall within one or more of the grounds for discipline defined in the legislation for that area of practice. All complaints must be in writing, on the appropriate form and be accompanied by proof supporting your claim.
- Chartered Professional Engineers – IPENZ complaints process or complaints@ipenz.org.nz
- Electrical Workers Registration Board – EWRB complaints process
- Licensed Building Practitioners – LBP complaints process
- New Zealand Registered Architects Board – NZRAB complaints process
- Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board – PGD complaints process
Last updated 2017-11-02
