It seems unauthorised trade work remains a huge problem for homeowners, as proven by the Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB)’s latest reminder.
The regulator has warned property owners to not fall into the trap of using unlicensed people to conduct plumbing or gasfitting work on renovation projects because of the high risk on health and safety.
“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 for the PGDB, advised.
Robert Joseph, who was not a registered and licensed plumber or gasfitter and was not authorised to complete sanitary plumbing or gasfitting work, carried out bedroom and bathroom alterations in a garage at a Hastings residence. However, the toilet installation was substandard as it was leaking and experiencing backflush. As a result, Joseph was sentenced to a $2,000 fine and was ordered to pay $130 in court costs.
“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,” Sawyers said.
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 required to produce it.”
