Ask anyone who has been through a building project and they will tell you one of the biggest
decisions of the whole project was choosing a builder. Second only to choosing the
section, the right builder will, quite literally, make or break your build experience. There's
a lot more to choosing a builder than getting the best price. Luckily, the Registered
Master Builders Association exists to ensure a safe and reliable avenue for kiwis wanting
to find the best builder for the job. The Registered Master Builders Association has been a
well-respected brand in New Zealand for over 100 years. The organisation is dedicated to
fostering building industry renowned for quality workmanship, good training and skills,
as well as providing a channel for redress if things ever do go wrong.
WHAT IS A MASTER BUILDER?
A Master Builder is a practitioner who has been vetted by the Registered Master Builders Association as having the necessary skills, licenses
and knowledge to adhere to government-backed building guidelines and codes. There are two main trade organisations that builders in
New Zealand can belong to - the Registered Master Builders Association (RMBA) or the New Zealand Certified Builders Association
(CBANZ). Builders who belong to the Registered Master Builders Association must meet one of the following criteria:
- A minimum of six years building experience, comprising completion of a carpentry apprenticeship, or a relevant tertiary building related
qualification (e.g. B.Arch, B.Eng, NZCB, NZCQS, NZCE, NZCD); and have at least three continuous years as a builder in business on their own
account, and/or in the day-to-day management of a building business.
OR
- A minimum of eight years continuous building experience, comprising at least five years as a building contractor in business on their own
account, and/or in the day-to-day management of a building business, whether having completed any formal examinations or not. In order to
become registered, a Master Builder must provide a number of trade references and examples of their work. A Master Builder is inspected a
number of times throughout the year by the RMBA.
WHY USE A REGISTERED MASTER BUILDER?
Whether it's a commercial, residential or renovation project, working with a Master Builder reassures homeowners they are working with
someone who has the relevant skills and qualifications to do the job properly.
A few benefits of using a Master Builder:
- Master Builders are governed by a Constitution and Code of Conduct, which they must comply with at all times.
- A registered Master Builder can offer a 10-year Master Build Guarantee on new home and renovation work. Under this guarantee,
the homeowner is covered for loss of deposit, non-completion of work and materials, workmanship and structural matters.
- The Registered Master Builders Association has representatives in every region of New Zealand allowing for regular checks
on workmanship and building practices.
- To become a Master Builder, a practitioner must prove they can successfully run their own business. A good track record
goes a long way in reassuring the customer that the builder is competent in project management.