Positive Challenges for Building Industry

Media release

27 August 2009

Proposed Changes Provide Positive Challenges for Building Industry

In an industry that has a frustrating mix of over-legislation and lack of quality standards, any moves to address either problem is a good one.

The Home Owners and Buyers Association (HOBANZ) endorses the Building Act 2004 review and changes to the Licensed Builders Practitioners scheme announced by the Minister for Building and Construction today and believes they are both good for home owners and an opportunity for the building industry.

 “The building industry has today been given a tremendous chance to enter a new era of responsibility and accountability in providing home owners with what they really need – quality and affordability in the building of their homes,” says John Gray, president of the Home Owners and Buyers Association.

“We challenge the industry to embrace the changes in a positive and constructive manner. The industry cannot continue to focus on trying to reduce their individual potential liability, it has to move towards focusing on shared responsibility in producing quality outcomes” said Mr Gray.

In addition, HOBANZ would like to see a well articulated Building Code, ready access to New Zealand Standards for everyone, ongoing education of building practitioners and professional development in their role, a ‘fit and proper person’ standard included and even a certificate of good financial standing.  We also await with interest the proposals for the policing of the new standards.

The introduction of the Licensed Building Practitioner regime is a step towards improving quality outcomes and providing greater consumer protection.  It is one of the many ‘building blocks’ that need to be put in place to ensure that good building standards are maintained on a consistent basis and to restore consumer confidence in an industry rife with poor workmanship.

“Good education – both industry and consumer, well articulated standards, a focus on quality, a sharing of responsibility, and an encouragement for each professional involved in the construction process to ensure the highest standard is applied – these are the benefits of the changes,” says Mr Gray.

HOBANZ believes we need an industry that remains focused on quality – not liability.  Many sectors of the industry are in a ‘liability tailspin’. They need to snap out of that approach and reorient themselves to a commitment to ongoing professional development in their role, harmonisation of standards nationally, an emphasis on quality in order to produce an industry of which builders can and should be proud.

Focusing on providing high standards of workmanship will mean good builders with good track records will have nothing to be afraid of and their potential liability will fade to insignificant levels.

Ends

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