It might look easy enough, but your next DIY project could be breaking the law if you’re not asking the right questions.
Fair Go recently raised flags over an Auckland man’s business practices including how he advertised a variety of services, including plumbing and electrical work, despite not being registered with either the Electrical Workers Registration Board or with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB).
There are some jobs that you can do at home yourself, but others that you are prevented – by law – from doing.
Plumbing
The PGDB says almost all aspects of plumbing, gas fitting and drain laying work are restricted and illegal to DIY.
For plumbing work, it’s fine to install appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines, as well as replacing or repairing taps, ball cocks and plugs.
But that’s about it. New Zealand law requires a licensed plumber to complete all 'sanitary' plumbing work, which includes fixing or unfixing pipes or plumbing fixtures.
It also includes installing or removing any trap, waste, soil, ventilation, or overflow pipes.
Electrical
There is also some electrical work that can be DIY’d, but WorkSafe doesn’t recommend doing it without the "necessary skills and knowledge".
You can repair an appliance, but you or a close relative must own it.
You can also do things like replace switches, socket outlets, and fuse wires and cartridges; repair light fittings; and disconnect and reconnect permanently wired appliances.
A full list is available on the WorkSafe website.
Outside of these exceptions, DIY is a no-no. Also, it’s important to note you must own and live in the property to do this kind of work.
You can’t carry it out in a rental property, at a friend’s house, or for commercial gain, without being a licensed electrical worker.
Checking qualifications
It’s just as important to make sure the person you decide to hire to carry out work isn’t just a 'good' tradesperson, but a licensed one.
Check out the websites below – they show exactly what qualifications are needed to carry out a specific job:
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