A partnership between a construction sector regulator and a web-based service provider is eradicating illegal operators from the industry.
Sanitary plumbing, gasfitting and drain laying are regulated industries in New Zealand, and it is illegal to do such work unless authorised by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board.
The new licencing year begins on 1 April 2016 – and those who lapse will get caught the Board, which has partnered with web-based company Builderscrack.co.nz to eradicate illegal operators from the system.
“This new partnership is all about protecting the property owner”, says the Board’s Chief Executive, Martin Sawyers.
“If restricted plumbing, gasfitting, or drain laying work is carried out by someone without authorization from the Board, you are not only risking your family’s health and safety – you are more than likely invalidating your insurance policy.”
Builderscrack.co.nz connects tradespeople to homeowners, landlords and commercial property owners throughout New Zealand, and it is supporting legitimate tradespeople to help protect property owners.
The team at Builderscrack is checking credentials and notifying the Board of unauthorised people who put their clientele at risk and attempt to undercut legitimate tradespeople.
All tradespeople using Builderscrack.co.nz site to engage plumbing, gasfitting or drain laying work should produce their licence number – or risk legal action.
There are significant fines associated with this work carried out unlawfully. A maximum penalty of $50,000 for gasfitting, and a maximum fine of $10,000 for sanitary plumbing and drain laying work.
“Tradespeople need to carry a current authorization card – and consumers should protect themselves by asking to sight it,” says Sawyers.
Plumbers, Gasfitters and drain layers can uplift their new licence from the Board as of Monday, 15 February 2016.
