Budget home renovations

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#1319523 8-Jun-2015 16:47

We have a wet area tiled shower, and saw no sign of consents.

mattwnz

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#1319535 8-Jun-2015 16:50

Whatever the case, best to check with your council, and get it in writing to see if you need any consnets. It could affect the resale of your house, if that sort of thing is picked up by a buyer, and then becomes a disclosure by the agent selling it, and it is unlikely to add to the value.

isis

49 posts

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#1319557 8-Jun-2015 17:01

if the work is consented, then you will need council inspection for water proofing before you can start tiling.
once the bathroom is completed, then council will need to complete another inspection and all tradies will need to submit a PS3 document to get your final code of compliance.

mcraenz

1140 posts

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#1319569 8-Jun-2015 17:15

isis: if the work is consented, then you will need council inspection for water proofing before you can start tiling.
once the bathroom is completed, then council will need to complete another inspection and all tradies will need to submit a PS3 document to get your final code of compliance.

I have no issue with getting consent, My question is whether an owner builder exemption allows me to do the waterproofing myself or if the council will just flat refuse to give signoff. I suppose the logical thing to do would be to ask the council.

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Fred99

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#1319767 8-Jun-2015 22:22

mcraenz:
isis: if the work is consented, then you will need council inspection for water proofing before you can start tiling.
once the bathroom is completed, then council will need to complete another inspection and all tradies will need to submit a PS3 document to get your final code of compliance.

I have no issue with getting consent, My question is whether an owner builder exemption allows me to do the waterproofing myself or if the council will just flat refuse to give signoff. I suppose the logical thing to do would be to ask the council.

For an owner-builder exemption from restricted work, then you're still going to need to satisfy council that you're competent. You need to talk to them to see what they're going to need in the way of paperwork and inspection(s).
When an owner-builder exemption is granted, it is flagged on the LIM.
There are limits on how many properties an owner-builder can be granted exemption for over a number of years.
It was set up that way presumably to hobble people who were making a living out of buying old houses and doing them up for a profit.

Disrespective

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#1320196 9-Jun-2015 11:55

Remember that just because you are an owner builder it does not mean that you can build whatever you want. It still has to comply with the Building Act 2004 and Building Code.

This means that if you are wanting to do the waterproofing yourself then you will need to discuss this with the council and they will decide if you have the relevant skill level to complete the work yourself. Knowledge of the relevant Building Codes (E3 - Internal Moisture) and the installation procedure of the membrane being used will help here… That being said, plumbing and drainage are not exempt, and waterproofing a bathroom is definitely a plumbing and drainage issue. If you were to use a proprietary shower tray, you would still need a plumber to connect the wastes and pipe the water. However, you would be allowed to fix the linings and tray I would have thought. A call to the council would clarify this.

Any work done under the owner builder exemption will mean a tag is added to the properties LIM so future buyers know work has been done to the property by someone who is not an LBP.

If in doubt, call the council. They aren’t there to stop you doing work. They’re there to make sure it’s done right the first time (even if that means jumping through redundant/retarded hoops to get there).

mcraenz

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#1320211 9-Jun-2015 12:18

Part of the reason I want to do it myself is to ensure it's done right. No doubt there a plenty of LBPs who will do a great job. And probably half as many who have never read the codes and don't fully understand what they're doing. As was the experience of a co-worker who had no end of trouble with waterproofing.

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heylinb4nz

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#1320283 9-Jun-2015 13:21

mcraenz: Part of the reason I want to do it myself is to ensure it's done right. No doubt there a plenty of LBPs who will do a great job. And probably half as many who have never read the codes and don't fully understand what they're doing. As was the experience of a co-worker who had no end of trouble with waterproofing.

If you do it yourself and it goes wrong, then at least you are insured for the resulting water damage.

If a company does it you are both insured and have recourse in disputes tribunal.

I know its a pain, and i'm sure you are competent at DIY, but rules are rules.

If you are happy with the risk of no insurance then go for it.

Disrespective

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#1320351 9-Jun-2015 15:01

Yeah, I'd use an approved applicator. They have more experience regardless of whether they are good at it. You might find your insurance increases if you've done the work yourself...

Flamn8

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#1322527 11-Jun-2015 01:14

A consent is required for wet area creations (tiled showers etc)
http://www.building.govt.nz/codewords-37-5
Part of this process is obtaining a producer statement from the approved applicator so if doing yourself this cannot be obtained.
The other side of this too is if you went ahead and formed a wet area in an unapproved situation your insurance would be null and void if a leak where to occur even if you did install yourself.

We do 2 bathrooms a week for a "all in one" bathroom company based in East Tamaki who provide an awesome overall package and are very customer friendly.
Also it is my understanding that the exemption does not apply to internal waterproofing (wet areas) only external moisture works that fall inline with a buildings "weathertightness" .

jonb

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#1322599 11-Jun-2015 08:59

Article about this consents issue in Stuff today http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/home-property/69253681/tiled-showers-could-be-the-next-leaky-building-issue-lawyers-say

Stu

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#1323199 12-Jun-2015 09:03

Flamn8: A consent is required for wet area creations (tiled showers etc)
http://www.building.govt.nz/codewords-37-5
Part of this process is obtaining a producer statement from the approved applicator so if doing yourself this cannot be obtained.
The other side of this too is if you went ahead and formed a wet area in an unapproved situation your insurance would be null and void if a leak where to occur even if you did install yourself.

We do 2 bathrooms a week for a "all in one" bathroom company based in East Tamaki who provide an awesome overall package and are very customer friendly.
Also it is my understanding that the exemption does not apply to internal waterproofing (wet areas) only external moisture works that fall inline with a buildings "weathertightness" .

So, guessing by "We do 2 bathrooms a week" that you're either a builder, a tiler, a plumber or an electrician?

Have looked at a couple of companies in East Tamaki. Not contacted any as yet.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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Flamn8

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Wannabe Geek

#1323230 12-Jun-2015 09:47

Correct guesse... I'm a builder happy to help with any advice or point you in a direction. Just pm me

xontech

268 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1323232 12-Jun-2015 09:56

To me it looks like not all tiled showers need a consent. They do if they are what is defined as a "wet area", as in floor level access.
Our tiled shower has a shower tray (newline) and so understand that it is not a "wet area" tiled shower?

Disrespective

1925 posts

Uber Geek

#1323351 12-Jun-2015 13:12

xontech: To me it looks like not all tiled showers need a consent. They do if they are what is defined as a "wet area", as in floor level access.
Our tiled shower has a shower tray (newline) and so understand that it is not a "wet area" tiled shower?

So tiles on the walls? You will still need a membrane behind the tile (or technically you can use waterproof grout). Gib aqualine or any other water proof lining behind tiles isn't actually waterproof if there are joins in the lining itself. I'd be calling the council with the specifics of the job to be sure.

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