Failing to supply record of work most common offence…

Builders are continuing to find themselves in disciplinary hot water due to a simple misunderstanding of their obligations to provide a record of work upon completion of restricted building work. 

Since 5 August 2025 to 10 October 2025 thirty decisions of the Licensed Building Practitioners Board have been published where a breach by a practitioner has been found. Of those thirty decisions more than 2/3rds (22) have involved a finding by the Board of a failure to supply a record of work. Often that was the only failure and allegations of incompetent work were not upheld. 

When restricted building work is completed the Licensed Building Practitioner must supply a record of work to the owner and the Council without delay. Completion of the work can be when practical completion has been achieved or when the builder ceases work e.g. If they abandon the job due to non-payment or are dismissed and the contract terminated. The actual building work does not have to be completed, just the builder’s role in the work.

The record of work must be supplied by the LBP to the owner and Council. It is not sufficient to supply one but not the other. It is not sufficient to supply one to the head contractor. They must be supplied to the owner and the Council. The safest way to do that is to provide them directly and not rely on another contractor to pass them on. Such reliance is not a defence.

The record of work cannot be held up due to a dispute over payment or quality of work. The requirement is independent of any contractual obligations or rights. Practitioners who fail to supply a record of work are being fined and have that on their record. 

It pays to know your obligations and comply with them as soon as your work on the job is finished. 

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