Page 6 - HW June NEW 2022

hard news
H1/AS1 – A further complication in complicated times
SIX MONTHS AFTER the decision to make large scale changes to the Building Code, and six months before they are due to come into effect, the building industry has been asking for a time out.
Of particular concern, say those asking forapostponement,arethechanges particularly affecting insulation and windows – Acceptable Solution H1/AS1 5th Edition and Verification Method H1/ VM1 5th Edition.
Faced with a 2 November 2022 implementation of the new requirements, a trio of building industry organisations jointly wrote to Ministers asking for a 12-month delay, citing that the building sector wasn’t ready, that supply chains were constrained and unreliable, and that bringing in the changes at this point would harm the already stressed building industry materially and in terms of well-being.
With many but not all builders regarding these changes as having the potential to
be the straw that broke the camel’s back,
as I write MBIE is asking the industry if postponing the changes to May 2023 is the right thing to do in the current climate.
But is there an element of the building industry turning into a boy that cried wolf? Reading between the lines, it sounds like Minister of Climate Change James Shaw for one suspects it is.
For obvious reasons, the Minister is not at all keen on a postponement and is reported as saying: “When you do lay out a plan and say this is what we need
to happen, actually, people will find the supplies.”
Nevertheless, a recent Building Performance communication says MBIE recognises that “the sector is currently under significant pressure” and that its concerns“areveryreal”.
It goes on to say: “The intent is that this proposed delay will allow supply chains to develop stability and resilience and will also allow MBIE to work closely alongside the sector to ensure there is widespread understanding of the changes and how they should be implemented.”
Master Builders Chief Executive David Kelly has been among the most vocal of the key players (which include builders and suppliers) asking for more time.
With MBIE already seeking advice on a delay, he explained: “An increase to the implementation period will allow current manufacturing methods to meet updated H1 requirements, especially for windows.
“We are also concerned faster implementation will negatively impact consumer confidence in the residential building industry and further dampen demand on the back of interest rate rises, more restricted credit, and economic uncertainty.
“Additionally, councils throughout New Zealand will also need time to build changes into their consenting processes”
Fair enough perhaps, with builders currently run off their feet and facing “make do” or worse solutions thanks to
shortages of key products, inflation and staff shortages.
A more forthright view comes from GJ Gardner’s Grant Porteous who says: “The new H1 changes ... are absolutely ludicrous.
“Theworstthingaboutthisformeisthat these changes are going to put significant costs on the end consumer who is already struggling to afford a home and the building industry will get slammed again.”
Additional costs are also concerning Carl Taylor of CBS Co-operative with its 830+ members, who says: “I have no problems with what they’re trying to achieve. But this is probably not the right time to be doing it.
“At a time that we are trying to create affordable housing for people, all we’re doing is adding costs.”
Other builders like Paul Bull and Signature Homes simply recognise the inevitability of these changes, six or 12 months hence, and are just getting on with it.
So, effective the 1st of June Signature Homes for one is rolling the forthcoming H1 changes into its sales model – and adjusting costs accordingly.
Then there are the supporters of the new H1 regime who argue that the proposed delay will simply lead to another six months’ worth of new homes built to outdated and sub-optimal standards.
Take Superhome Movement’s Bob Burnett, who says on LinkedIn: “When the Building Code consultation was received, feedback overwhelmingly called for improvements in line with international standards.
“Instead, in reality, the proposed changes are a very small first step and still a long way off this.
“If these first baby steps are delayed,
it does not bode well for timely and appropriate implementation of more significant wider-reaching future changes that are what’s required.”
MBIE’s two-week window for feedback around delaying the H1 changes until May next year ends 13 June – after we’ve gone to press with this issue – so look to our website for the latest information around the outcome.
4 NZHJ | JUNE 2022
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