The Building Code review progresses
The New Zealand Building Code is currently under review. Submissions have just closed on a second round of consultation that will change how we build and what we build.
The review includes a world-first proposal looking at taking into account the embodied energy of building components when buildings are being designed, as well as carbon emissions over a building's lifetime. Such an approach has the potential for significant environmental benefits. It could take into account energy and water efficiency, and construction materials and construction waste, but it needs further development to ensure it would be practical and that the costs and benefits can be balanced with affordability.
This is a major review, the first since the Code was introduced in 1991. Since then, there have been significant advances in construction techniques and in our knowledge of building performance.
Other key points in the discussion document include:
- a new Building Code structure with clearly set-out minimum performance standards that buildings must meet. This will better meet the needs of Code users, especially architects, building designers, builders and building consent authorities, and help improve their decision-making
- updates and clarifications of existing requirements, to ensure the Code is clear and understood by people involved in building work
- a new way to design buildings for people to be safe in the event of a fire
- a new system recognising that buildings need to meet different performance requirements depending on their importance and the risks to the building users and society (this takes account of the impact of flooding and climate change) - for example, a school would have different performance requirements than a garden shed
- consideration of internal space requirements for housing to improve people's wellbeing and to also better meet the needs of people with disabilities.
Copies of the discussion document can be viewed from the Department of Building and Housing website.
This discussion document and public submissions received will form the basis of a report being prepared for the Minister for Building and Construction by 30 November 2007. Following further consultation with the public and the building sector, the new Code could be in place by the middle of 2009.
Estimated building costs
The Department of Building and Housing provides building costs to help territorial authorities estimate realistic values when they consider the job value provided with a building consent application.
The table shows the latest figures and various building types by region.
Building costs per metre ($/m2) including GST as at January 2007
| Building costs per metre ($/m2) including GST as at January 2007 |
| |
Small House |
Large House |
Industrial Building |
Bulk Retail |
Retirement Home |
| Region |
$/m2 |
$/m2 |
$/m2 |
$/m2 |
$/m2 |
| Auckland |
$1,750 |
$1,477 |
$1,252 |
$1,290 |
$1,999 |
| Waikato/Bay of Plenty |
$1,675 |
$1,425 |
$1,187 |
$1,229 |
$1,932 |
| Wellington |
$1,704 |
$1,445 |
$1,219 |
$1,255 |
$1,950 |
| Remainder of North Island |
$1,729 |
$1,472 |
$1,215 |
$1,257 |
$1,995 |
| Canterbury |
$1,711 |
$1,448 |
$1,205 |
$1,253 |
$1,959 |
| Remainder of South Island |
$1,678 |
$1,425 |
$1,185 |
$1,228 |
$1,935 |
Guide to the table
Costing information is provided by construction cost consultants Maltby and Partners Ltd. The costs are for one-off speculative houses. These figures do not reflect the economies from building group houses. Group houses are on average 21 percent cheaper and architecturally designed houses 20 percent more expensive.
Small house - 145 m2
Single-storey house on a flat site with internal double garage, three bedrooms, open-plan kitchen, dining and lounge, bathroom, separate toilet, ensuite, and separate laundry.
Large house 202 m2
Single-storey house on a flat site with internal double garage, four bedrooms, open-plan kitchen and family room, open-plan dining and lounge, bathroom, separate toilet, ensuite, separate dressing room, separate laundry.
Industrial Building - 414 m2
Single-storey warehouse, with mezzanine on a flat site accommodating warehouse, office accommodation, reception and display area, staff lunchroom, kitchen, and toilet facilities.
Bulk retail 896 m2
Single-storey building on a flat site with two retail units: one comprising retail area, two offices, kitchen, and toilet facilities; the other containing retail and toilet facilities.
Retirement home 394 m2
Single-storey building on a flat site, including 12 residential bedrooms with washbasins, separate sanitary facilities, dining and lounge, commercial kitchen and laundry, staff accommodation, and office.
For more details on these profiles visit the Department's website.
Disclaimer: The estimated unit construction costs are based on current commercial prices of materials and labour, plus allowances for contractors' overheads and margins. Pricing is based on a model building for each region.
We provide unit construction costs to help territorial authorities assess building consent fees.
They are not intended as definitive costs for actual buildings and should not to be used for this purpose.
