How do I complain about a builder in NZ?
Short answer
There are three forums depending on what's wrong: MBIE handles complaints about Licensed Building Practitioners (poor conduct, incompetence). The Disputes Tribunal handles money claims under $60k. The Building Disputes Tribunal handles construction-specific adjudications and arbitration. Talk to the builder in writing first — most claims get a faster fix that way than through formal complaint paths.
Key facts
- MBIE — for the LBP's conduct (suspension, removal, fines)
- Disputes Tribunal — for money under $60k (no lawyers, fast)
- Building Disputes Tribunal (BDT) — for contract disputes regardless of size
- Consumer Protection — for misleading conduct under Fair Trading Act
- Always put complaints in writing — verbal claims rarely survive contest
Where to send what
If your problem is that the builder did poor work or behaved badly, complain to MBIE under the LBP regime. MBIE investigates and can suspend or remove the LBP's licence.
If you want money back (defects, overcharging, deposit refund) and the amount is under $60,000, go to the Disputes Tribunal. No lawyers, low fees, a referee hears both sides in about 40 minutes.
If you have a construction contract dispute (variations, timeline, scope), the Building Disputes Tribunal runs adjudications under the Construction Contracts Act 2002 — fast, binding, paid for by the parties.
Before you complain — the paper trail
Collect: the contract, every variation in writing, every payment receipt, every email or text, the LBP certificate, the consent and any inspections.
Write a single timeline document. Dates, what was promised, what happened, what wasn't. The referee or adjudicator reads this first.
What MBIE can and can't do
MBIE can discipline the LBP. It can't make the builder finish the job or refund you — that's the Tribunal's role. The two paths are separate; you can run both at once.
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Related questions
Sources: MBIE Building — building.govt.nz/complaints; Disputes Tribunal — disputestribunal.govt.nz; Building Disputes Tribunal — buildingdisputestribunal.co.nz. General information for NZ homeowners, not legal advice — building rules change and vary by council, so confirm critical details on the official source before acting. Last updated 2026-05.