New Zealand is a dedicated nation of DIY-ers. An advert for one of the country’s largest hardware stores sums it up perfectly with their motto, “DIY – it’s in our DNA”.

However, laws introduced from March 1 are placing restrictions on what DIY lovers can do themselves and what they need to get the professionals to do for them.

The laws outline building work that needs to be carried out by a licensed building practitioners (LBP) rather than those who are just enthusiastic about getting out their tool box on a Sunday. The restrictions mostly involve work that it integral to the safety of the building such as structural work or weather-tightness.

As well as guaranteeing that major building works are conducted safely, the laws are also designed to give New Zealand residents greater confidence in the building industry especially after the leaky homes fiasco of the 1990’s which still causes people problems to this day.

Employing an LBP means that you are guaranteed someone who is competent to do the type of work that you are after. There are different categories of LBP including designers, carpenters, bricklayers, plasterers and so on. You must ensure you hire an LBP that is licensed in the appropriate category for the work you want done. For example, if you are getting roofing work done, the LBP must hold a license in that category. You can search an online database to check whether the person that you are considering employing is a registered LBP.

For details of property for sale in New Zealand, visit the NZ listings on Rightmove Overseas. One way to save money when emigrating or NZ, buying property there or repatriating income from rentals is to use a currency specialist when transferring your pounds into NZ dollars, or vice versa. For more information on this, contact Smart Currency Exchange.

To understand the full step-by-step process to buying a property in New Zealand, collect The Overseas Guides Company’s ‘New Zealand Property Buying Guide’