Licence to rein in building 'cowboys'

It is time to remove the cowboys from the building and construction industries, says Minister for Building Issues Clayton Cosgrove.

Speaking at the annual Registered Master Builders Federation conference, Mr Cosgrove announced the Government's new builder licensing scheme which aims to recognise skilled builders and increase consumer protection.

While Mr Cosgrove acknowledged many builders were trained and conscientious, he said there was nothing at present to stop anyone "putting on a tool belt and calling themselves a builder".

These "cowboys" had harmed the reputation of the industry and it was time for competent builders to have their skills recognised and for the public to have confidence in their workmanship, he said.

New Zealand's population was growing and the way people lived was changing, with apartment living becoming increasingly popular.

"More complex residential buildings are being constructed," he said.

"New materials products and technologies continue to emerge."

From November next year, 13 licence classes will be progressively introduced for people working in design and building. The licence classes comprise three design licences and three overseers' licences, based on the complexity of the building; and seven licences for specialist construction trades.

Mr Cosgrove said annual licence costs were likely to be up to $200, with initial assessment costs between $250 and $650.

Licensing will be introduced on a voluntary basis from November 2007, and will be mandatory from November 2009.

People without licences will still be able to undertake a wide range of building work, but any significant work must be supervised by, or completed by licence holders.

Keen do-it-yourselfers will still be able to do work that does not need building consents, such as painting and decorating, building low fences, garden sheds or installing kitchen or bathroom joinery, he said.

The system would be fully implemented by 2011.

Federation chief executive Pieter Burghout applauded the new scheme.

The Government had consulted widely with the industry, and he said the phased implementation would help manage compliance costs.

Licensing assessments would recognise builders' existing skills.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES