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LIMs · consents · CCC gaps · red flags
Not legal advice · Building consents, building compliance consultancy.

Here is a common MYTH in NZ construction:"If building work doesn't require a building consent, anyone can do it."Not nec...
08/07/2026

Here is a common MYTH in NZ construction:
"If building work doesn't require a building consent, anyone can do it."

Not necessarily.
Building consent and Restricted Building Work (RBW) are two different concepts.
Some building work is exempt from requiring a building consent. However, that does not automatically remove the requirements relating to Restricted Building Work.
Where work is classified as Restricted Building Work, it generally must still be carried out or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP), unless a specific exemption under the Building Act applies.

A good example is the new 70 m² granny flat exemption.
Many people assume that because these small standalone dwellings can now be built without a building consent, anyone can build them.
That isn't the case.
To qualify for the exemption, the work must still be carried out or supervised by appropriately licensed professionals (including LBPs for Restricted Building Work, and licensed plumbers, drainlayers, gasfitters and electrical workers where applicable), and the building must still comply with the New Zealand Building Code.

So before starting any project, ask two separate questions:
Does this work require a building consent?
If it doesn't, who is legally permitted to carry out the work?
They're related questions, but they are not the same question.
If someone tells you:
"You don't need a building consent."
Don't stop there. Ask: "What legislation or guidance supports that advice?"

For anyone wanting to understand exempt building work better, MBIE has an excellent guide: search for Building work that does not require a building consent.

One of the biggest mistakes in construction is comparing quotes based only on price.A cheaper quote isn't automatically ...
07/07/2026

One of the biggest mistakes in construction is comparing quotes based only on price.

A cheaper quote isn't automatically a bad quote.
A more expensive quote isn't automatically a better one.
The real question is: How do you know?

Before accepting any quote, ask questions such as:
• Does this work require a building consent?
• If not, why not?
• What evidence supports that advice?
• Has the contractor explained which exemption in Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004 applies?
• What is included in the price?
• What has been specifically excluded?
• Who is responsible for demonstrating Building Code compliance?
• Who will provide the documentation needed at the end of the project?

These questions often tell you far more than the price itself.
Sometimes the cheapest quote is excellent.
Sometimes it's missing important work, documentation or compliance requirements that only become apparent after construction has started.

A good quote doesn't just tell you what it costs, it helps you understand what you're buying.
If you're told that your project doesn't require a building consent, don't be afraid to ask why. A competent contractor should be able to explain the reasoning and, where appropriate, point you towards the relevant exemption in Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004.
For anyone wanting to understand exempt building work better, MBIE has published an excellent guide:
Building work that does not require a building consent, Schedule 1 Guidance ( MBIE Exempt Building Work Guidance )

Good decisions don't start with the lowest price. They start with the right questions.

06/07/2026

When a new home is completed, it doesn't come with just walls and a roof.
It also comes with maintenance requirements.

Many building products, such as cladding systems, coatings, roofing materials, sealants and decks, are supplied with manufacturer's maintenance recommendations. These often include regular washing, inspections, cleaning, recoating or replacing sealants after a certain period.

These recommendations aren't simply there to keep your home looking good.
They help the products perform as intended throughout their expected service life.
If maintenance isn't carried out, it may affect product warranties,
how the cause of damage is assessed, whether deterioration is considered a maintenance issue rather than a product failure, and, depending on the circumstances, how future claims or disputes are evaluated.

One example is exterior cladding. Some systems require regular washing to remove dirt, salts or biological growth. If that maintenance isn't carried out over many years, it can become difficult to separate a product defect from a maintenance issue.

Owning a home doesn't end when construction finishes.
In many ways, that's when the responsibility begins.





06/07/2026

When a new home is completed, it doesn't come with just walls and a roof.
It also comes with maintenance requirements.

Many building products, such as cladding systems, coatings, roofing materials, sealants and decks, are supplied with manufacturer's maintenance recommendations. These often include regular washing, inspections, cleaning, recoating or replacing sealants after a certain period.

These recommendations aren't simply there to keep your home looking good.
They help the products perform as intended throughout their expected service life.
If maintenance isn't carried out, it may affect product warranties,
how the cause of damage is assessed, whether deterioration is considered a maintenance issue rather than a product failure, and, depending on the circumstances, how future claims or disputes are evaluated.

One example is exterior cladding. Some systems require regular washing to remove dirt, salts or biological growth. If that maintenance isn't carried out over many years, it can become difficult to separate a product defect from a maintenance issue.

Owning a home doesn't end when construction finishes.
In many ways, that's when the responsibility begins.

03/07/2026

Before You Buy

One of the biggest misconceptions when buying a property is believing that a building report will identify every possible issue.
In reality, a residential building inspection is carried out within an agreed scope. It is generally a visual, non-invasive inspection designed to identify observable defects and areas of concern. It cannot report on defects hidden behind wall linings, beneath floor coverings, inside concrete, or in areas that were inaccessible at the time of inspection.

I often compare a building inspector to a General Practitioner (GP).
A GP doesn't diagnose every medical condition. They assess what they can see, identify concerns, and, where necessary, recommend further investigation by the appropriate specialist.

A good building inspector performs a very similar role.
If there are signs of structural movement, you may need a structural engineer. If moisture suggests a weathertightness issue, a specialist investigation may be appropriate. Electrical, plumbing, drainage, asbestos, geotechnical or boundary matters may all require different expertise.

A building report isn't the final answer. It is a risk assessment carried out within an agreed scope of inspection. It's often the starting point for asking the right questions.

Before relying on any building report, ask yourself:
• What was the inspector asked to inspect?
• What was outside the inspection scope?
• Does the report recommend further specialist advice?
The best property decisions are rarely made from a single report. They are made by understanding what you know... and what you still don't.




Before You BuyOne of the biggest misconceptions when buying a property is believing that a building report will identify...
03/07/2026

Before You Buy

One of the biggest misconceptions when buying a property is believing that a building report will identify every possible issue.
In reality, a residential building inspection is carried out within an agreed scope. It is generally a visual, non-invasive inspection designed to identify observable defects and areas of concern. It cannot report on defects hidden behind wall linings, beneath floor coverings, inside concrete, or in areas that were inaccessible at the time of inspection.

I often compare a building inspector to a General Practitioner (GP).
A GP doesn't diagnose every medical condition. They assess what they can see, identify concerns, and, where necessary, recommend further investigation by the appropriate specialist.

A good building inspector performs a very similar role.
If there are signs of structural movement, you may need a structural engineer. If moisture suggests a weathertightness issue, a specialist investigation may be appropriate. Electrical, plumbing, drainage, asbestos, geotechnical or boundary matters may all require different expertise.

A building report isn't the final answer. It is a risk assessment carried out within an agreed scope of inspection. It's often the starting point for asking the right questions.

Before relying on any building report, ask yourself:
• What was the inspector asked to inspect?
• What was outside the inspection scope?
• Does the report recommend further specialist advice?
The best property decisions are rarely made from a single report. They are made by understanding what you know... and what you still don't.

What if I told you that people are already living in 25-storey timber skyscrapers?Not timber-look buildings.Not timber c...
02/07/2026

What if I told you that people are already living in 25-storey timber skyscrapers?
Not timber-look buildings.
Not timber cladding.
Timber skyscrapers.

Twenty years ago, suggesting that a wooden building could stand taller than many concrete apartment blocks would have sounded ridiculous. Today, it is reality. Buildings such as Ascent in Milwaukee (25 storeys), Mjøstårnet in Norway, HoHo Wien in Austria and the stunning Sara Cultural Centre in Sweden are proving that engineered timber is no longer a niche construction material but becoming one of the most exciting developments in modern structural engineering.

These buildings are constructed using engineered products such as Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glulam. They are manufactured with incredible precision, assembled remarkably quickly, and designed to meet demanding structural, seismic and fire performance requirements. In many cases, they are also significantly lighter than equivalent concrete buildings, reducing foundation loads and construction time.

Perhaps the most surprising fact isn't that these buildings exist.
It's that this technology is no longer experimental.

Around the world, governments, engineers and developers are investing billions of dollars into mass timber construction because it offers the potential to reduce carbon emissions, speed up construction and rethink how cities are built. Projects are now appearing across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, and many experts believe we are only at the beginning of the mass timber era.

Would you feel comfortable living in a 25-storey timber building?
Photos curtesy of gbdmagazine.com

What if I told you that people are already living in 25-storey timber skyscrapers?Not timber-look buildings.Not timber c...
02/07/2026

What if I told you that people are already living in 25-storey timber skyscrapers?
Not timber-look buildings.
Not timber cladding.
Timber skyscrapers.

Twenty years ago, suggesting that a wooden building could stand taller than many concrete apartment blocks would have sounded ridiculous. Today, it is reality. Buildings such as Ascent in Milwaukee (25 storeys), Mjøstårnet in Norway, HoHo Wien in Austria and the stunning Sara Cultural Centre in Sweden are proving that engineered timber is no longer a niche construction material but becoming one of the most exciting developments in modern structural engineering.

These buildings are constructed using engineered products such as Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glulam. They are manufactured with incredible precision, assembled remarkably quickly, and designed to meet demanding structural, seismic and fire performance requirements. In many cases, they are also significantly lighter than equivalent concrete buildings, reducing foundation loads and construction time.
Perhaps the most surprising fact isn't that these buildings exist.
It's that this technology is no longer experimental.
Around the world, governments, engineers and developers are investing billions of dollars into mass timber construction because it offers the potential to reduce carbon emissions, speed up construction and rethink how cities are built. Projects are now appearing across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, and many experts believe we are only at the beginning of the mass timber era.
Would you feel comfortable living in a 25-storey timber building?
Photos curtesy of gbdmagazine.com

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