The Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) has reminded property owners to not use unlicensed people to conduct plumbing work on renovation projects as it could get them in trouble with their insurer.
Stuart Mill, who operated a business that involved plumbing services, carried out a property owner’s bathroom alterations that included various plumbing works such as alterations of the existing hot and cold piping and the addition of valves on the pipework to a new sink mixer. He also replaced the wastepipe from the sink and removed the laundry tub. However, after his work was finished, there was no water pressure and hot water was flowing from the drain of the hot water cylinder.
He was sentenced by the Taupo District Court to a $1,200 fine for carrying out restricted plumbing work without authorisation and was ordered to pay $130 in court costs.
“To stay safe and avoid the risk, it takes one simple action – ask to sight a licence card. It states the credentials of a tradesperson and the type of work they are authorised to carry out,” Martin Sawyers, chief executive of the PGDB, said.
Sawyers warned homeowners that hiring unlicensed people to conduct plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying work could invalidate their insurance policy.
“It is important for homeowners to know that plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying work undertaken by unauthorised tradespeople, not only risks their family’s health and safety – but may also invalidate their insurance policy,” he explained.
The Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) added: “The use of unregistered and unqualified persons to do sanitary plumbing, gasfitting or drainage work on an insured property may invalidate the property’s insurance cover in the event of a loss resulting from the work undertaken. Always ask to sight a tradesman’s authorisation card before work is undertaken – they are req
