Leaks cast shadow over home exhibition

By ALAN PERROTT and KATHERINE HOBY

Walk among homeowners at the Auckland Home Show and you can hear the worry.

As the evidence mounts of major problems with leaky buildings, ordinary people are worried about their new home or apartment and the potential loss of money.

Robin Evans was shocked to find large-scale leaks in his five-year-old Feilding home.

"It was just bad flashings, but they gave us a big problem."

Not trusting those who put the home up, Mr Evans fell back on his own chippie experience and carried out the repairs himself.

"The wife hasn't got much faith though. She doesn't think I've done a proper job."

Underlying the comments is a growing distrust of an industry forced to deal with a mounting series of problems: hundreds if not thousands of units in large-scale developments that leak, a major report to the Building Industry Authority to be released next week on the problem, concerns over toxic mould, rot, and poor design and workmanship.

Melissa Watts, of Te Atatu, has the advantage of professional advice, but says that can be even scarier.

"My husband is a builder, so I've got a good idea of just how many cowboys there are out there. You have to be so careful these days, make sure anyone working on your property has proper certification."

Mark Coles, from Havelock North, blames shoddy workmanship and bad claddings for many of the problems.

"I'm not sure how much awareness there is about this, but it's something new buyers should be very careful about."

Chris Burns, contracts manager for Heartland Homes, said people now wanted to know much more about their building material and roofing options.

"We're spending more time per customer, up to two to three hours more, talking through the pros and cons of their options. People are wanting eaves more now. This has changed a lot of people's ideas."

Kathryn Hunter of St Lukes said she had been close to buying an apartment but was now reconsidering.

* If you have information about leaking buildings,
email the Herald or fax (09) 373-6421.

Further reading
Feature: Leaky buildings

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