Not every roofing job in New Zealand requires a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP), but some definitely do — and getting this wrong can have serious consequences for your home's compliance and your insurance. Understanding the rules helps you hire the right person and protect your investment.
What Is an LBP and Why Does It Matter?
A Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) is a tradesperson licensed under the Building Act 2004 to carry out or supervise restricted building work (RBW). The scheme is administered by MBIE, and you can check a practitioner's licence status at Licensed Building Practitioners. The purpose of the scheme is to ensure that work affecting a building's structure or weathertightness is done by someone with proven competence.
For roofers, the relevant LBP licence class is typically Roofing, though in some cases the Carpentry class also covers associated structural work like roof framing.
What Is Restricted Building Work for Roofing?
Restricted building work (RBW) is work that requires a building consent and that affects the structure or weathertightness of a home. For roofing, this generally includes:
- Installing or replacing a roof covering on a house or small residential building where a building consent is required
- Work on roof structures (rafters, trusses, purlins) that is subject to consent
- Any roofing work that forms part of the primary weathertightness layer of a consented residential building
When RBW is involved, the work must be carried out or supervised by an LBP with the appropriate licence class. The LBP must also provide a Record of Work to the homeowner and the council on completion.
You can read more about what counts as restricted building work at MBIE Building Performance.
When Is an LBP Licence NOT Required?
Not all roofing work triggers the RBW rules. An LBP is generally not required for:
- Minor repairs and maintenance — patching a small section of iron, replacing a few broken tiles, resealing flashings, or clearing gutters
- Like-for-like repairs that do not require a building consent
- Work on non-residential buildings (the RBW rules apply specifically to residential buildings)
- Roofing work that falls under Schedule 1 of the Building Act, which lists consent-exempt work
However, the line between minor maintenance and work that needs consent can be blurry. For example, replacing a large portion of a roof covering may require consent in some councils even if it seems routine. Always check with your local council before assuming work is exempt — this article cannot make that determination for you.
Does the Roofer Need to Be LBP-Licensed Even If They're Supervising?
Yes. The law allows an unlicensed person to carry out RBW only if they are supervised by an LBP. The LBP takes responsibility for the work and must be genuinely involved — not just a name on paper. If you hire a roofing company, ask whether the person physically doing the work or their on-site supervisor holds a current LBP Roofing licence. You can verify this yourself at Licensed Building Practitioners.
What Happens If RBW Is Done Without an LBP?
The consequences can be significant:
- The council may refuse to issue a code compliance certificate (CCC)
- Your home insurance could be affected if unlicensed work contributed to damage
- You may have difficulty selling the property if records show non-compliant work
- The unlicensed practitioner may face penalties under the Building Act
BRANZ provides good technical guidance on roofing standards and weathertightness, which underpins why these rules exist — leaky roofs remain one of the most costly building defects in NZ.
NZ Building Code and Roofing Standards
Roofing work must comply with the NZ Building Code, particularly Clause E2 (External Moisture), which sets out requirements for keeping weather out of buildings. Depending on the roof structure, NZS 3604 (Timber-framed buildings) may also apply. Your roofer should be familiar with these standards and with manufacturer installation requirements for the specific product being used.
A Quick Summary Table
| Type of Work | Consent Needed? | LBP Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Full roof replacement (residential) | Usually yes | Yes |
| Structural roof framing changes | Yes | Yes |
| Large-scale re-roofing | Often yes — check with council | Yes if consented |
| Minor repairs, patching, resealing | Usually no | No |
| Gutter replacement/maintenance | Usually no | No |
| Non-residential roofing | Depends on scope | No RBW rules apply |
Always confirm consent requirements with your local council.
When to Call a Professional
For any roofing work beyond basic maintenance, it's wise to hire a qualified roofer — both for safety and compliance. Working at height is inherently dangerous, and WorkSafe NZ has strict requirements around fall protection that professional roofers are trained to meet. For consented work on your home, always confirm your roofer holds a current LBP Roofing licence. You can find qualified local roofers on tradedirectory.co.nz.
Roofing Association of NZ (RANZ)
Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP)
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