Problems?

Our quick reference guide to resources on ConsumerBuild that you can use to help resolve common problems encountered when building and renovating.

We also provide links to organisations that may be able to provide more detailed technical advice.

Architects or designers

• To resolve disputes and communication problems: see Disputes with designers   
• If you believe the architect or designer has provided a substandard service, see: Consumer Guarrantees Act.

Builders & tradespeople

• For common problems such as undue delay, shoddy workmanship, and unfinished work, see:
  - When things go wrong
  - Consumer Guarantees Act in relation to unfit workmanship. 
• If the builder breaches a term of your building contract, find out what remedies are available. See: Contract law.
• If your builder is demanding payment and you don’t agree with the amount, see: Construction Contracts Act.
• If your builder claims a building guarantee is invalid, see: Builders guarantees
• To contact the relevant trade organisation, who may have dispute resolution services, see: our contacts directory.

Building Act or Building Code compliance:

• If you have problems understanding your obligations under the Building Act and Building Code, see: The Building Act. 
• If you are part way through a project and want to know where it stands in relation to the new Building Act 2004, see:  Implementation of the 2004 Act. 
• To find out whether you need to obtain a building consent see:
  - Building consents - legal requirements
  - Renovations & alterations - building consents
  - or contact your local council.

Buying a house:

• If you believe you have been misled by a real estate agent when buying a house, see: Fair Trading Act.
• To make complaints about unfair or misleading trading practices and breaches of the Fair Trading Act, see: the Commerce Commission website. 
• If you have a building inspection report that has omitted serious defects, see:
  -  Property inspections for general advice
  -  Consumer Guarantees Act for advice about possible remedies
  -  Resolving disputes for general advice about resolving a dispute with the inspector.

Councils

• If your council refuses to issue a building consent or code compliance certificate, see:
  -  Inspections for Building Code compliance,
  -  or visit the Department of Building and Housing (DBH) website  for information about getting a technical ruling (Determination) on a dispute relating to compliance with the Building Code or the issuing of consents and certificates.
• If your council declines your application for resource consent, see Resource Management Act.
• To find out whether you need to obtain a building consent see:
  - Building consents - legal requirements
  - Renovations & alterations - building consents
  - or contact your local council.
• Where the Land Information Memorandum (LIM) seems to be incomplete, find out where to get fuller information on a section or house property. See: LIMs and council files.

Cross lease situation

• For information about the pros and cons of cross leasing and how to convert a cross lease title see: Land titles.

Disputes

• For help with resolving general disputes between you and your builder, architect or anyone involved in your building project, see: Resolving disputes.
• To contact the relevant trade or professional organisation, who may have dispute resolution services, see our contacts directory.

Faulty materials

• For problems with faulty goods and materials see:
  - Materials - quality assurance
  - Consumer Guarantees Act. 

Leaky homes

• For general information, see: Leaky buildings.
• To find out about the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS), including how to apply for mediation or arbitration of a leaky home dispute, see: What to do if you have a leaky home. 

Neighbours

• For problems concerning your neighbour’s lack of cooperation over boundary fences, see: The Fencing Act.
• For disputes about boundaries, easements or other matters affecting your use of your property, see:
  -  Land titles for general information about property rights
  -  Certificate of Title & restrictions on use for information about easements.
• For advice about boundary issues talk to your local council.
• For help with disputes about trees, see the guide on  consumer.org.nz.

Subcontractors

• Where a subcontractor has done a substandard job, do you approach the subcontractor directly or go through the main contractor? See: Contract law.

Technical advice

For technical advice about construction methods and materials contact:

• Building Research Association of New Zealand Ltd (BRANZ). If you are a home or building owner or a member of the public requiring advice, there is a public helpline which costs $1.99 per minute + GST, phone 0900 590 90, or visit their website: www.branz.co.nz.
• Department of Building and Housing (DBH) for help understanding your obligations under the Building Act and Building Code, visit their website: www.dbh.govt.nz, or phone 0800 242 243.