More apprentices and other headlines

Daily Post, Rotorua

10 January 2023

The Rotorua Daily Post is taking a look back at some of the memorable stories of 2022 that featured in Money. Here’s what made headlines from April to June.

Apprenticeship numbers soar in the Bay: April 16 Apprentice numbers in the Bay of Plenty building and construction sector hit record levels, climbing 70 per cent in two years.

Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) director Jason Hungerford said apprentice numbers were at record levels.

Hungerford said in March this year there were just over 1000 employers training apprentices in the region, up from 900 in March 2021.

“Employers are essential for training apprentices who are a great asset to their business.

“We’re proud to be developing a skilled workforce for the building and construction industry.”

Nick Matthews, NZ Certified Builders Pathways and Apprenticeship manager, said nationwide they were seeing increasing numbers of eager and trained apprentices entering the trades from a variety of backgrounds.

“We also encouraged our member builders to take on apprentices to help ensure there are highly skilled builders coming through to meet increasing demand.” of any build project – cost, time and quality.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins said more than 43,000 apprentices have been supported by the Apprenticeship Boost scheme, including more than 3000 in the Bay of Plenty.

Architects tend to favour design quality first.

With this in mind, we also recommend getting a minimum of two or three quotes for fee proposals and the phone numbers of your potential architects’ recent clients, who you can call directly for references of their experience.

And lastly, always put your brief in writing.

Your brief should include a detailed description of the physical building, for example, number of rooms, idea of light and functional requirements.

It might be easier to write a wish list of what you want for each room in your new house.

STEP 2-SET YOUR BUDGETS

It’s important to be very clear on your budget with your entire team, right from the start. This will help when it comes to compromises or changes further down the track.

“In order to get a quote to build your new home, your builder will need to see rendered drawings from a licensed designer.

“Builders also tend to know what products work and don’t work, so it pays to ask them their opinion of the products that have been specified by the designer,” Richard says.

The cheapest quote, even when detailed, will often wind up with a lot of extra expenses at the end of the project.

Tips for bathroom renovations

RENOVATING a bathroom is something that you may do only once or twice in your lifetime and when you do, you want to get it right.

Bathrooms can be tricky beasts, even if it’s not your first renovation. There are many pitfalls, but also lots of things you can do to avoid being caught out. Most of it comes down to planning, being patient and making sure you have everything in order before you start ripping out walls and buying tapware.

New Zealand Certified Builders Dan Gallagher of Timaru, Dave Whitehead of Auckland and Mike Craig of Waikanae have some valuable tips.

• Draw your new bathroom out on paper first so you know where everything is going and that it all fits.

• Consider whether you need to change the layout, particularly if you have a concrete floor: do you really want to dig up the floor? And if you are adding or removing fixtures, you may require a council permit. If you are putting in an expensive wet floor, tiled shower system, you definitely need consent.

• Think hard about what you would like and what you can afford; it’s easier to change your mind in the planning stage than halfway through the renovation when your budget blows out.

• Plan your bathroom so it works well; not having enough room, or a practical floor plan – like doors swinging onto vanities or toilets that stop the door from opening 90 degrees – will drive you mad. Get a plumber to check out pipes before they quote, as in-wall piping may need replacing because of past product failure.

When you’re selecting fixtures, consider all your needs. Is the shower fit for purpose? Get in it, in the showroom and see if there room to move? If you are tall, consider hanging the vanities and mirrors higher.

• If you’re stripping out the room, upgrade insulation in the floor, ceilings and walls.

Southland Times, Southland 9 February 2023

There are quite a few large expenses which may not be included in your build price, such as:

Landscaping

Fencing

Decking

Window coverings and flooring

Internet and media wiring

Driveways

- Furnishings - Any expensive upgrades deemed in excess of what’s needed to finish the home by the construction loan inspector.

“It’s usually the fixtures and fittings that tend to blow out the budgets on architectural designs, so allow 10 per cent contingency for these items,” Andy says.

Instead of looking for the cheapest quote, look for one that is detailed right from the very beginning.

STEP 3 – HOW TO FIND YOUR BUILDER

Start by asking for recommendations from friends or family. Don’t forget to check out online reviews, as well.

Your architect/designer may also have preferred builders that they like to work with. It’s important to check the credentials of any builder you’re considering. Is your builder trade qualified in carpentry level 4?

Designing and building your architectural home can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life, if you’re working alongside the right team. For more building tips, visit: www.nzcb.nz

Standard, Palmerston North 9 February 2023

• If you’re on a low-pressure hot water system, consider upgrading to high pressure.

• Order all your fixtures and fittings early, so the tradies know what they are fitting, and where.

• Consider installing non-slip flooring particularly if young children or older adults will be using the bathroom. Check that your chosen paint or wall covering is suitable for wet spaces.

• Ensure under-tile membranes are applied by a licensed building practitioner and that you receive a PS3 from them to confirm that the building work is in accordance with the consent plans and building code. Is the shower fit for purpose? Get in it, in the showroom and see if there room to move.

• Use only qualified tradies, with public liability insurance.

• Keep towel rails away from toilets as it can be a health hazard.

If you’re installing silicone yourself, use an ice block stick to smooth it as the bacteria on your fingers can contaminate the product before it has cured.

• Last, but by no means least, think local when you plan your renovation. Use local tradies and buy your products locally.