When you are planning a new home, an extension or a structural wall, it is tempting to go with the cheapest quote. But in New Zealand, who lays your bricks and blocks matters, both legally and for the long-term value of your property.
What is an LBP?
A Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) is a builder or tradesperson licensed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). Licence classes include Carpentry, Design, Roofing, Site, External Plastering, Foundations and Brick and Blocklaying. To hold a licence, practitioners must show competence and keep their skills current.
Restricted building work
Certain work on homes, called restricted building work, must be carried out or supervised by an LBP. This includes work critical to the structure and weathertightness of a house. For many brick and block jobs on residential buildings, that means an LBP needs to be involved, and they must provide a record of work when the job is done. Without it, your council sign-off can be delayed.
Accountability
LBPs are registered on a public register, and complaints can be made to the Building Practitioners Board if work is not up to standard. That gives homeowners a level of protection that unlicensed trades simply cannot offer.
Better results
Beyond the paperwork, licensed bricklayers and blocklayers bring experience with New Zealand-specific details: cavity widths and ties for brick veneer, reinforcing and grouting in block walls, damp-proofing and flashings around windows. These details are what keep a home dry and strong through Auckland's wet winters and in an earthquake-prone country.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Are you an LBP, and which licence class do you hold?
- Will you supply a record of work at the end of the job?
- Can I see photos of recent projects similar to mine?
- Is your quote itemised, and what does it include?
Mr Singh Brick & Block Laying Ltd is an LBP firm in Auckland led by Sandeep Singh. Learn more about the team or see the company's brick and block work services.
