Multiple-Use Approvals to speed up building consents

Volume builders and building consent authorities are showing a lot of interest in a new service being put in place by the Department that will save time and money in the building consent process.

From 1 February 2010, volume builders will be able to apply for National Multi-Use Approvals (NMUAs) for building designs that will be repeated multiple times over in any part of the country.

Volume builders include group home builders, garage and shed franchisers, suppliers of kitset buildings, certain retirement village builders, and those who replicate a building design more than 10 times in a two-year period.

A NMUA from the Department means that the building design has been ‘pre-approved’ for Building Code compliance, so the building consent authority (BCA) will only have to assess site-specific details when issuing a building consent.

Once the Department receives a completed application for a NMUA, it will have 40 working days to assess each design.

When a NMUA is used, the BCA will have 10 working days to issue the consent, which will involve checking site conditions, foundations and utilities (such as water services), confirming that the proposed design meets the conditions of the NMUA, and checking any planning requirements. The BCA will also carry out the normal inspections during construction.

BCAs have responded positively to the scheme and expect it will give staff more time to concentrate on complex consent applications. The Department will be working closely with BCA cluster groups to ensure the national approvals service and local consenting processes link smoothly.

For volume builders, the changes will mean cost savings and quicker turn-around times for the local consenting part of the process.

Builders will be able to pass on the savings to their customers, potentially gaining a useful market edge.
A survey of 60 volume builders run by the Department in mid-2009 indicated that almost all are interested in the service, with a large number intending to apply for a NMUA in the first year.

The changes flow out of the Building Amendment Act passed in July this year. In December, Cabinet is expected to finalise regulations on eligibility (who can apply), scope (types of building) and fees.

For queries or comments, check the Department’s website, or email nmua@dbh.govt.nz