What to do when a builder keeps delaying the job (NZ)
Weeks turn into months, the site sits quiet, and every excuse comes with a new date that slips again. Delays cost you money and patience — here's how to push for progress and protect yourself.
In short
Check your contract for any agreed completion date. Even without one, the Building Act's implied warranties require work to be completed in a reasonable time. Put your concerns in writing with a clear deadline, keep a record of the delays and any costs they cause, and escalate to the Disputes Tribunal if it can't be resolved.
Step by step
- 1
Check the contract timeline
Look for any agreed completion date or timeframe and any clauses about delays. This sets the baseline for what 'late' means.
- 2
Rely on the reasonable-time warranty
If there's no date in the contract, the implied warranties still require the work to be finished within a reasonable time for the job.
- 3
Put concerns and a deadline in writing
Calmly set out the delays so far and a clear, reasonable date for progress or completion. Keep copies.
- 4
Log the delays and your costs
Record missed dates and any costs the delay causes you — extra rent, storage, finance. This supports any later claim.
- 5
Escalate if it continues
Try to resolve it directly first. If that fails and the delay has cost you, the Disputes Tribunal can hear claims up to $60,000.
Your rights at a glance
- Work must be completed in a reasonable time, even with no date in the contract
- This implied warranty applies for up to 10 years
- You can claim for losses caused by unreasonable delay
- Disputes Tribunal handles claims up to $60,000
Where to get help
Most of these situations involved a builder who already had warning signs in the public record — past court action, liquidations, or a director linked to failed companies. A 30-second check before you sign is far cheaper than any of the steps above.
Related questions
Sources: Building Performance (building.govt.nz) — implied warranties; Building Act 2004; Disputes Tribunal NZ. General information for NZ homeowners, not legal advice — every situation differs, so get professional advice for your circumstances. Last updated 2026-05.