A builder has been censured by the Licensed Building Practitioners Board after undertaking work without a building consent. The builder was contracted by a client to construct a residential dwelling. The builder carried out preparatory works without obtaining a building consent. This was despite having contacted the local Council which had emailed him material that indicated a consent was necessary. When he came before the board, the builder indicated he had not paid as much attention to the email as he should have.

The Board found he had been negligent in failing to obtain the consent and failed to maintain a “high standard of proprietary and professional conduct”. Due to the limited work undertaken, he was only censured. This case underscores the importance of attention to proper process in the construction industry and not carrying out work that needs a consent before one is granted by the Council.




Alan Knowsley
Construction Lawyer
Wellington