Hundreds of builders call for slashing of red-tape, quicker consents

Tradies are calling for faster consents and less red tape from the next government, with a national building co-operative warning the issues are making it hard for businesses to operate.

Combined Building Supplies Co-operative (CBS) chief executive Carl Taylor, who spoke out about the concerns of the industry after the Mackenzie District councillors questioned the high failure rate of building inspections, said the organisation was also calling for changes at a local council level.

This followed changes to Immigration New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category in August, which at the time, Taylor said was a positive and practical change for the industry, but he warned against treating immigration like an "on and off switch."

Taylor issued a statement last week following a survey of about 250 tradespeople, which identified the industry's top priorities for the next government.

High building costs were the top concern, cited by 68% of respondents, followed by regulatory and compliance costs at 62%, high council fees and slow consenting at 56%, economic uncertainty at 52% and access to government funding at 46%.

Taylor said the issues were making it harder for businesses to operate.

"Costs are high, consent delays hold up jobs, and small firms need a fair chance to compete."

There was strong support for reform, with 90% of respondents calling for consistent consenting and council performance standards, 90% wanting stronger protections for builders, subcontractors and suppliers, and 79% wanting more financial support.

"The appetite for practical reform is unmistakable."

Several respondents called for simpler consenting and regulatory processes at the local council level, with one saying council involvement was driving up costs and fuelling consent delays.

"Some consents [are] costing more than the work itself … building consents need to be streamlined and the unnecessary extensive inspections reduced," one respondent said.

Many respondents were concerned with high material and labour costs, and several criticised the country's building warranty scheme as being un-fit for purpose.

"[Builders] have to go through the high risk process of warranties, dictated by typically two trade members … who are not client focused and who are not selective with [the] quality of builders but how they fit as a member."

"The scheme is for the delusional," the submitter said.

The survey found 52% of respondents were confident about their business outlook for the next 12 months.

"We're hearing from tradies that their forward-work pipelines are starting to fill again. That is positive for the outlook, and we want to see that momentum continue," he said.

But respondents remained concerned about the training and retention of skilled workers and apprentices.

"Too many apprentices only ever work as a contractor and they have no idea they're actually an independent business person. I think we need to get rid of contracting apprentices and give bonuses to companies who employ apprentices legitimately," one said.

Another called for a funded pathway for training future contractors and greater oversight of employers taking on apprentices.

"Ensure there is a clear and well promoted and funded pathway for training future contractors then get the hell out of the way."

The survey also showed strong support for government funding, small-business support, modernised building codes and reforms based on industry experience.

"Listen to the advice you get from the ground floor," one respondent said.

The survey included voting preferences, with 29% of respondents saying they would vote for ACT if an election were held at the time, followed by National and New Zealand First on 18% each, Labour and the Greens on 6% each, and Te Pāti Māori on 2%.