Renovation Tip #3

Assuming all builders have equal qualifications/testimonials

While every builder will have to be licensed by March 2012, check to see if they are part of the Certified Builders of New Zealand (CBNZ) or Registered Master Builders Federation (RMBF).

Certified Builders of New Zealand
The Certified Builders Association of New Zealand Inc. was established in 1998 to recognise and promote qualified builders. Unless the builder is trade qualified they cannot become a member of the Certified Builders Association.

Registered Master Builders Federation
The Registered Master Builders Federation (RMBF) represents New Zealand’s premier building and construction companies, who pride themselves on delivering the highest quality houses and buildings. They have been around since 1892.

Please note that if they are not, it does not necessarily mean they are poor builders. They could be excellent builders who are not members of either organisation.

What guarantees, if any, are offered with the job and are they prepared to make time to come back to do any work that is unsatisfactory.

Certified Builders of New Zealand (CBNZ) offers:

• A Builtin New Zealand Ltd for a ten-year written guarantee when undertaking to build a new home. They are not required to apply for the guarantee, but can offer to do so, for alterations and additions.

If a contract is not completed for some reason, Builtin New Zealand Ltd will encourage the builder to remedy the problem and, if necessary, appoint another Certified Builder to do so, and the written guarantee will cover or contribute significantly to the cost.

Where the Certified Builder is the head contractor, the guarantee covers materials and work completed by the Certified Builder and the sub-contractors engaged by him, subject to the limitations and exclusions in the guarantee agreement.

Registered Master Builders Federation offers:

• • Master Build Guarantees on residential work with a contract price of $25,000 or more
• • Peace of mind and formal investigation and complaints settlement procedures
• • The protection of consumer friendly Building Contracts
• • Full support and backup from the member’s local RMB Association and the national Registered Master Builders Federation.

Builders, especially good ones, may be booked well in advance, so ensure you start looking early in the planning process.

Choosing a Builder
This is the most critical stage in the entire process when renovating your home – finding a builder who you can trust and have confidence in is very important. You will be having a very close relationship with your builder; which enables you to find out how your renovation is going, any changes in the plan, what can be improved, etc.

Things you need to think about when choosing the right builder for your renovation project:

1. Is the builder a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBPs) – Licensed Building Practitioner builders have undergone a vigorous application process, including a written application, verbal testing by expert assessors, and referees’ confirmation of their work. They keep up with the changing industry and undergo continuous skills maintenance.
2. Check if they are part of the Certified Builders of New Zealand or Master Builders organisations.
3. Choose more than one builder to tender for the project job, this way you can compare cost and see if they are realistic and fair – also if it meets your budget.
4. Make sure you tell them everything you want and expect in your renovation build.
5. Price is important of course, but don’t settle for the cheapest simply because it is affordable and cheap. Get high bidders to explain and justify their price.
6. Check the builders’ work by visiting their work, client testimonials and/or view renovation photos.
7. What guarantees do the builders offer you; are they viable to your project?
8. You can have your architect or designer stay on as full project manager (this is an additional cost) or you could make your builder the project manager, and the designer takes on an overview role. Some of the better building companies have dedicated project managers. Make sure the arrangement is fully detailed in the building contract.
9. You may wish to be the project manager yourself, but make sure you have the time available to do so – also you need expertise because the Building Code is a complex and demanding rule book, so the technical aspects of many components of the building process are vital to get right.

Continue to Renovation Tip #4:

> Only use qualified designers or architects who come recommended