Shoddy buildings

From Nine to Noon 22 July 2015

Substandard building work is on the rise - with complaints to the government run Licensed Building Practitioners scheme up 30 per cent this year. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment which runs the scheme says the building boom particularly in Auckland and Christchurch is contributing to the problem. It says more and more builders and other trades people are coming into the industry, some of whom don't have the skills to meet the standards. It's introducing tougher skills requirements later this year, which building practitioners must attain to keep their license.

The Auckland Council is also noticing a rise in poor building practices, its general manager of building control Ian McCormick says its currently failing around a third of building inspections in the city. He discusses the issues along with Paul Hobbs, the Registrar of Building Practitioner Licensing for the Ministry of Building, Innovation and Employment.

Block works substandard

Following trades lack of respect for previous trades work. Shape objects and rubbish all over membrane

Half completed drainage left to float

Huge hole under head flashing for rain to enter building

Non-continuous foundations

Plumbing installed after cladding completed lacks flashing of any type

Sites inadequately managed causing serious health and safety issues

Structural failure of foundation structure neglected to be addressed

The instruction manual comes in the bag yet the products were not used

The level is plumb the wall is not

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