A Record of Work (ROW) is a formal document that a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) is legally required to provide once they have completed restricted building work on your home. It confirms that the work was carried out by a licensed professional and is a key part of New Zealand's building compliance system — so it's well worth understanding what it means for you as a homeowner.
What Is Restricted Building Work?
Restricted building work (RBW) is building work that affects the structural integrity or weathertightness of a home, and which must by law be designed and carried out — or supervised — by an LBP. For carpenters, this typically includes:
- Structural framing (walls, floors, roofs) covered by a building consent
- Work on the building envelope, such as cladding and roofing, where weathertightness is critical
- Any carpentry that forms part of the primary structure of a house or small building
Not all carpentry is restricted building work. Fitting kitchen cabinets, laying timber flooring, or building a small garden shed under the Schedule 1 exemptions of the Building Act generally does not require an LBP or a Record of Work — but always confirm with your local council whether a building consent or LBP is needed for your specific project.
What Does a Record of Work Include?
The Record of Work is a prescribed form set out under the Building Act 2004. It must include:
- The LBP's name and licence number
- The licence class (e.g. Carpentry)
- A description of the restricted building work carried out
- The address of the building
- A declaration that the work was done in accordance with the building consent and the New Zealand Building Code
The form is straightforward, but its legal weight is significant — it creates an auditable trail linking licensed tradespeople to specific work on your property.
When Must a Carpenter Provide a Record of Work?
Under the Building Act, an LBP must provide a Record of Work whenever they carry out or supervise restricted building work that requires a building consent. The timing matters:
- The ROW must be provided to the homeowner and to the building consent authority (your local council) once the work is complete
- It is typically submitted as part of the code compliance certificate (CCC) process at the end of a consented project
- If an LBP supervised the work rather than doing it themselves, they must still provide a ROW covering that supervision
If your carpenter is an LBP and has done restricted building work on your home, you are entitled to receive a Record of Work — it is not optional for them to provide one.
Why Does It Matter for Homeowners?
The Record of Work protects you in several important ways:
| Benefit | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Proof of licensed work | Shows the work was done by a qualified professional |
| Code compliance support | Helps your council issue a Code Compliance Certificate |
| Future sale of your home | Buyers and their lawyers will check consent and compliance records |
| Insurance and warranty | Some insurers and product warranties require evidence of licensed installation |
| Dispute resolution | Provides a clear record if defects arise later |
Without a Record of Work where one is required, your council may decline to issue a Code Compliance Certificate, which can seriously complicate selling or refinancing your home down the track.
What If Your Carpenter Doesn't Provide One?
If your LBP carpenter fails to provide a Record of Work, this is a breach of their obligations under the Building Act and the Licensed Building Practitioners scheme. You can:
- Ask them directly — sometimes it is simply an oversight
- Contact the LBP scheme through MBIE Building Performance to make a complaint
- Notify your local council's building consent authority
Keep copies of all Records of Work with your home's other important documents, alongside your building consent, plans, and Code Compliance Certificate.
Checking Your Carpenter's LBP Licence
Before work begins, it's a good idea to verify that your carpenter holds a current LBP licence in the Carpentry class (or another relevant class such as External Plastering or Roofing, depending on the work). You can search the public register on the Licensed Building Practitioners website. A licence can be suspended or cancelled, so checking at the time of engagement is worthwhile.
When to Call a Professional
Any carpentry that forms part of a consented project — particularly structural framing, roof framing, or weathertight cladding — must involve an LBP. If you're unsure whether your project requires a building consent or an LBP, speak to your local council before work starts. Getting this wrong can be costly to fix and may affect your ability to sell your home. You can find qualified, licensed carpenters in your area right here on tradedirectory.co.nz.
