This initiative is set to make building homes easier and more cost-effective, addressing the long-standing issues of expensive and time-consuming construction processes.
The Problem at Hand: Building in New Zealand has become increasingly costly, with building costs soaring by 41% since 2019. The average time taken to build a home, not including the time for obtaining consent, is around 569 days. One of the critical bottlenecks in this process has been the cumbersome and delay-prone in-person inspection system, which ensures compliance with the building code.
The Solution: Remote inspections are poised to offer significant productivity gains by allowing building inspections to be conducted via video and photo imagery, which can be sent or live-streamed to an inspector. This method can be supported by tools like geolocation to verify the source, ensuring the reliability of the inspection.
Benefits of the Shift: The transition to remote inspections is expected to bring about several benefits:
- Lowering Costs: Eliminating the need for inspectors to travel to sites, especially in congested cities and rural areas with large travel distances.
- Reducing Delays: Enabling more inspections per day and allowing inspectors to work remotely in regions with higher demand.
- Cutting Emissions: Reducing transport-related emissions by minimizing inspector travel.
- Enhancing Record Keeping: Providing better quality assurance for homeowners through improved documentation.
- Increasing Flexibility: Offering more flexibility for both inspectors and building professionals on the day of inspection.
The Road Ahead The government plans to release a discussion document in the third quarter of 2024, inviting feedback from councils and the sector on the best approach to implement this new system. While the promise of remote inspections is clear, it is crucial to ensure that the quality and reliability of the inspections remain uncompromised. The government will need to carefully navigate potential pitfalls, such as ensuring accurate inspections and compliance with the Building Code, to avoid repeating issues like those seen in the leaky building crisis.
Chris Penk’s push for faster consenting with remote inspections marks a progressive step towards modernizing the building industry in New Zealand. By embracing technology and innovation, the government aims to reduce the hurdles in the construction process, making it more efficient and sustainable for future homeowners.
