Licensed Building Practitioners – What it means for you

The Building Act 2004 has recently been amended so that from the 1 March 2012, all “restricted building works” (‘Restricted Building Works’) must be done by a licensed building practitioner (‘LBP’).  Restricted Building Works include building or renovation works that are critical to the integrity of the building, especially those that affect the structure or weather tightness of the building.  Most work requiring a building consent is likely to be a Restricted Building Work.

LBPs are trades people that have been assessed as being competent to do the type of building that they hold a licence for, and include designers, carpenters, roofers, external plasterers, brick and block layers and foundation specialists.  If you are carrying out Restricted Building Works then you will need to ensure that you hire an LBP to do the work and that they hold a licence that matches the type of work that you are having done.   If you are doing the work yourself, you may be able to apply for the Owner-Builder exemption under the Building Amendment Act 2012.

If you knowingly engage someone who is not a LBP, you risk being fined up to $20,000.00.

If you would like further information we suggest that check out the Minister of Business, Innovation & Employment’s website.