How do I check if a builder is registered in NZ?
Short answer
Most NZ builders don't need to be 'registered' as such — instead, anyone doing Restricted Building Work has to be a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP). You can look any LBP up by name at lbp.govt.nz, free, instantly. For the company behind the builder, search NZBN and the Companies Office to confirm it exists, is in good standing, and who the directors are.
Key facts
- There's no single 'builder register' in NZ — it's three checks: LBP licence, Companies Office, NZBN
- LBP is mandatory for design and structural work on residential homes — not for every job
- Anyone can call themselves a 'builder' in NZ. The legal status sits with the LBP and the company
- Master Builders and Certified Builders memberships are paid memberships, not a government licence
Step 1 — Look up the LBP licence
Go to lbp.govt.nz, click 'Search the Register', and type the builder's name. If they hold a licence the result shows their licence number, the categories they're licensed in (e.g. Carpentry, Foundations, Design AOP 1-3), and the start and renewal dates.
If they're not on the register, ask why. An unlicensed builder can still legally do non-restricted work like a deck under 1.5m or a basic fence — but anything structural on a house needs an LBP signing off.
Step 2 — Confirm the company is real
Search the company name on nzbn.govt.nz — every active NZ business has an NZBN. Cross-check the result against companiesregister.companiesoffice.govt.nz to see registration status, directors, shareholders, and filing history.
Red flag patterns: a company registered in the last few months, multiple companies at the same residential address, or a director who has previously been in a string of liquidated companies.
Step 3 — Search the NZ Gazette
The NZ Gazette publishes formal insolvency notices. Search gazette.govt.nz for the company name — you're looking for liquidation notices, receivership appointments, or strike-off intentions. A clean Gazette result is a good sign.
Why a single search isn't enough
Most NZ homeowners only do one of these three checks. The full picture only emerges when you combine LBP, Companies Office, and the Gazette. CheckMyBuilder runs all three at once and adds court filings, director linkages, and a plain-English summary.
Knowing the rules is half the job. The other half is knowing who you're hiring — check any NZ builder's court action, insolvency history, director track record and AI risk score in minutes.
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Related questions
Sources: Licensed Building Practitioners register — lbp.govt.nz; NZ Business Number register — nzbn.govt.nz; Companies Office — companiesregister.companiesoffice.govt.nz; NZ Gazette — gazette.govt.nz; Building Act 2004, Part 4 Subpart 1. 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.