A carpenter working in a workshop. Photo: 123rf
Builders dealing with astronomical prices for building supplies are keenly waiting to see if the government's intervention will make any difference.
The government has opened the door for builders to access approved supplies from overseas - such as plasterboard, cladding systems, external doors, and windows - in an attempt to bring down costs for consumers.
Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk said the list would have the potential to reduce total building costs by thousands of dollars when building a home.
Builders across New Zealand have faced increasing cost pressures. For example, New Zealand has some of the most expensive plasterboard in the world, paying around 38 percent more than Australia and 47 percent more than the UK, Penk said.
Builder and managing director of Substruct Steve Brown said the government's changes were a good thing but wanted to see how it would play out.
"Building prices just like everything has pretty much doubled over the last few years," Brown said.
He said it is hard for builders to choose a new product that's "not tried and tested".
"I've been in the industry for 30 years, there's some products that work and some that don't. So, to pick up a new product is kind of, a little bit scary when you gaurantee something for 10 years," Brown said.
Registered Master Builders Association chief executive Ankit Sharma said the government's announcement would help to reduce the construction costs and increase product availability across the sector.
"By allowing overseas products that meet standards to be used more readily, we can improve supply chain resilience, reduce delays and ultimately deliver more homes, faster and more affordably," Sharma said.
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