Without the card it’s money down the drain

Without the card it’s money down the drain

30 January 2015

Conviction serves as consumer warning — it’s a gamble without the card

The recent conviction of an Auckland man has served as a timely reminder to consumers to only use plumbers, gasfitters, and drainlayers who hold a current authorisation card.

Daniel Stewart, who did not hold a current authorisation from the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board at the time he carried out work at an Auckland home, left the residents with what they described as a “shell of a bathroom and no money”.

There were defects in the work carried out by Mr Stewart. He installed a shower mixer and connecting pipes, removed waste water pipes and a basin, and changed hot water cylinder pipework at an Auckland home. He also removed gib board from the ceiling and walls and a wall between the bathroom and water closet leaving this work unfinished and the residents of the home disgruntled and out of pocket.

The Board’s Chief Executive, Max Pedersen reminds consumers; “Don’t risk your family’s health and safety or your insurance by hiring unauthorised people. Any defective sanitary plumbing work has the potential to cause disease and serious, costly damage to the home.”

Plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying are regulated trades in New Zealand, and it is illegal for anyone to do this work unless they are authorised by the Board.

“Tradespeople need to carry a current authorisation card—and consumers should always ask to see it before any work commences, he continued. This way, you can be assured that the work is being done by a competent tradesperson.”

In January 2015, the Board stepped up its public awareness drive with a three month national digital marketing campaign in an effort to help ensure consumers are informed of the importance of always asking for the card, and understanding the risks if they don’t.

You can check to see if a person is authorised by searching our online public register at www.pgdb.co.nz or by phoning the Board on 0800 743 262.

Mr Stewart was convicted of doing unauthorised sanitary plumbing on Wednesday 28 January, and was fined $1,750 plus court costs of $130 and solicitor’s fees of $226.

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