Find the right Builder
in Wellington

Whether you want a new build or are renovating your home, finding the right builder within the Wellington region can be a bit of a nightmare! Fortunately we take the hard work out of the equation by having the builders contact you about your job. That only leave you with the task of picking the one that suits your job the best. The question then is how do I know that a builder is the right one for my job?

Using A Wellington Licensed Building Practitioner

It is now compulsory for all restricted building work (RBW) which is structural, weather tight dependant or fire design work to be done by a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP). If your job requires some RBW then you must hire an LBP, otherwise you are free to choose a builder who is not registered. With many homes in the Windy City being on a hillside and heavily exposed to the elements, chances are that a lot of your building work could be restricted in some way. Make sure that you are explicit in your job requirements when seeking quotes and expressions of interest.

Once you have decided on a builder to hire and before you sign the contract, it pays to check what memberships or registrations they hold. Then you will know if they can complete the job to a high standard safely. If your work is RBW and you must hire and LBP, you can find out if they are officially registered by asking to see their LBP photo ID which details the types of building work they are eligible to do. You can also check out them out on the Licensed Building Practitioner’s website. From here you are also able to see what type of category building they are able to work on, as well as the type of building work they are certified to do. While all of this may seem overwhelming, it was put into place to help protect homeowners from dodgy cowboy builders.

Some builders choose not to be an LBP, which does not mean that they are not qualified to do your job. It just means that they are unable to complete any jobs classed as restricted building work. But if you do not need any RBW done, a non-registered LBP is fine. Many of these builders are instead members of one or both of the two trade associations – the Registered Master Builders Association (RMBA) or the Certified Builders Association of New Zealand (CBANZ).

As a RMBA member, a builder has to follow the association’s Constitution and Code of Conduct, have their work inspected several times every year by the mobile RMBA team. They must also meet a high standard of business management and financial planning skills and have specific industry qualifications and/or experience. An RMBA member also has to give you third party written guarantee on all the work they do for you.

A CBANZ member has to have enough insurance to cover them and their work during the period they have a contract with you. They must give you a 10 year HomeFirst Builders guarantee on the work they have done and follow their association’s Code of Ethics and Conduct. To be a member, builders also need to meet the required level of industry qualifications and experience the CBANZ sets as a benchmark for their members.

Choosing the right builder for your job actually depends on the job itself. With plenty of experienced and qualified builders within the Wellington region, you will actually be spoilt for choice. Just remember to do your research on the builders you are keen on and Bob’s your uncle! List your Wellington building job here today to start finding the best builder for you!