A Carterton homeowner was left with a defective new home and no warranties for some of the work after an unlicensed builder took on structural framing, roofing and cladding he was not permitted to do.
The builder, Jason Williams, was fined $5600 in the Masterton District Court on August 14 after pleading guilty to one charge under the Building Act 2004, following a prosecution by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
He was also ordered to pay $1000 in emotional harm reparation to the homeowner and $130 in court costs.
Williams carried out restricted building work on the new dwelling between May and December 2022 without a licence, and without the supervision of a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) as required by law.
The work later required "significant" remedial repairs, including recladding and fixes to the roof and interior.
MBIE acting national manager of occupational regulation Bevan Yee said the licensing scheme was designed to give homeowners confidence in the people doing critical work on their homes.
"Restricted building work includes important structural and weathertightness features that help keep homes safe and durable."
He said the ministry took enforcement action where needed to protect consumers.
"This prosecution reinforces the importance of using appropriately licensed building practitioners for restricted building work. MBIE investigates complaints and takes enforcement action where appropriate to help protect consumers and support confidence in New Zealand's building system," he said.
An unlicensed person can only carry out restricted building work when supervised by an LBP licensed for that type of work, and breaches can attract fines of up to $50,000.
Homeowners can check a builder's status by asking for their licence card or searching the LBP public register.
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