Contractors: Do your homework

Cover of the Do Your Homework document

Consumer protection measures encourage a professional, no-surprises relationship between contractors and clients.

If you’re doing residential building work, make sure you and your clients both know your rights and obligations. It should help your clients make informed decisions about building work.

If you are a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) you can earn skills maintenance points for reading this document. You can assign the time you spend learning this material to an elective activity.

You can read the guidance below, or download Do your homework: A contractor's guide to rights and obligations when contracting with homeowners [PDF 628 KB]

More details

This document is a guide only. It should not be used as a substitute for legislation or legal advice. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is not responsible for the results of any actions taken on the basis of information in this document, or for any errors or omissions.

Guidance disclaimer: This document is issued as guidance under section 175 of the Building Act 2004. While the Ministry has taken care in preparing this document it should not be relied on as establishing compliance with all relevant clauses of the Building Act or Building Code in all cases that may arise.

  • Published on 7 March 2016
  • Of interest to Contractors, Nominated subcontractors, Designers,
  • ISBN: ISBN: 978-1-98-851733-9 (Print) / ISBN: 978-1-98-851732-2 (Online)
  • 2nd edition

This information is published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Chief Executive. It is a general guide only and, if used, does not relieve any person of the obligation to consider any matter to which the information relates according to the circumstances of the particular case. Expert advice may be required in specific circumstances. Where this information relates to assisting people: