Perceptions of regulatory building inspectors and designers on the proposed risk-based inspection regime in New Zealand

The New Zealand government proposed a new control regime to streamline the process of building approval by introducing risk-based inspections for certain types of building works. The risk-based inspection is generally perceived as having the capacity to accelerate the process of building approvals therefore allowing contractors to project manage their time and workers without the bottleneck of regulatory inspections. The paper evaluates this newly introduced risk-based building inspection scheme and its effects on regulatory building inspector roles and work practices. The perception of building inspectors and construction stakeholders on this new scheme was sought. Data was also collected through a questionnaire survey to building inspectors, building designers and in-depth interviews with housing developers / subject matter experts. The intent is to provide an exploratory evaluation that could help institute the new scheme in New Zealand. Regulatory building inspectors expressed concerns about the shift in liability from councils to building practitioners and the need for regulatory bodies to introduce compulsory surety and warranties for building practitioners. Respondents also expressed that building practitioners were unskilled and not mature enough in terms of experience and qualifications to undertake self-certification. Although the risk-based building inspections will accelerate the building process, the respondents explain that it could only flourish if licenced building practitioners provided a quality product and take accountability for their work. Conclusively the scheme provides building regulators a tool to accelerate building processes without compromising cost and quality. The study findings would provide a blue print for the adoption of the risk based building inspections as a regulatory tool for accelerating building processes internationally.