Trade licences a must see
Choosing the right tradesperson can have a lot riding on it, especially in professions where certain tasks can only be carried out by a licensed practitioner.
This is the case with much plumbing, electrical and gas work, where failure to follow the industry’s best practices can prove dangerous and might result in insurance policies being voided.
For the person doing the work, there is also the risk of a conviction and a hefty fine. Undertaking restricted plumbing and drainlaying work can land someone a $10,000 fine, while for restricted gas-fitting projects that can climb to $50,000.
When Labour Party deputy Jacinda Ardern made a foray into a DIY job by installing a toilet in her Auckland home late last year, she unwittingly fell afoul of these rules and in doing so highlighted how widely they were misunderstood.
Industry bodies are now ramping up efforts to find and prosecute so-called ‘‘cowboy’’ contractors engaged in unauthorised work.
The Report-A-Cowboy app released by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) in late 2015 allows users to anonymously submit photos, videos and other evidence of illegal work sites and false advertising. It has since been downloaded more than 10,000 times.
To broaden the app’s base, the Electrical Workers Registration Board subsequently joined the scheme, forming a united front with the PGDB and adding electrical workers to the list of trades that can be reported through the app.
Consumers can find further useful information at the websites dontriskit.co.nz, which allows people to find a Master Plumber in their area, and nocowboys.co.nz, which has a directory of trades in a range of fields and provides reviews of individual companies around New Zealand.
By law, everyone authorised to undertake restricted sanitary plumbing, gas-fitting or drainlaying work must carry their practising licence when undertaking such a job. They must also be able to produce it if asked.
However, industry officials say often the first indication that something could be amiss is the provision of a quote that seems too good to be true.
This can indicate a person is compensating for their lack of qualifications by undercutting registered professionals, or is resorting to using substandard products – another area authorities are seeking to crack down on as imported goods not designed for the local market continue to arrive, fuelled by an ongoing building boom.