Required certification · New Zealand
Registered Master Builders Association
Voluntary builders' association whose members can offer the Master Build 10-Year Guarantee
Market position
The Registered Master Builders Association of New Zealand Incorporated is a voluntary membership body for residential and commercial building companies, with 23 branches and six regional hubs. Members get standard building contracts, expert advice, free dispute resolution for themselves and their clients, discount schemes, entry to the members-only House of the Year awards and access to the Master Build 10-Year Guarantee, which the association offers through its wholly owned Master Build Services Limited. Membership is not a licence: licensing for structural and weathertightness work on homes sits with the government-run LBP scheme.
New Zealand-specific note
The 10-Year Guarantee covers a homeowner's lost deposit (up to $50,000 or 10% of the contract), non-completion (up to $500,000 or 20%), materials and workmanship for 2 years after practical completion and structural defects for 10 years, up to $1,000,000 or the contract value in total. It is available only through a Master Builders member, with fees of $730 (partial cover) to $6,325 (full cover) incl. GST for contracts of $30,000 to $4 million; it is not available for contracts over $4 million.
Pros
- + Members can offer homeowners the Master Build 10-Year Guarantee
- + Standard building contracts and expert legal, employment and H&S advice
- + Free dispute resolution for members and their clients
- + Members-only House of the Year awards and a find-a-builder listing
- + Fees published in full, from $260 + GST a year for contractors
Cons
- − Residential builders pay $1,605-$3,475 + GST a year (2026), by turnover
- − Fees rise in 2027, for example to $1,670-$3,615 for residential builders
- − Voluntary: it does not replace LBP licensing
- − Guarantee fee of $730-$6,325 incl. GST per project
Typical New Zealand pricing
Annual fees 2026 (2027), excl. GST: Contractor $260 ($270); Residential Builder by turnover $1,605-$3,475 ($1,670-$3,615); Volume and Commercial Builder $4,160 ($4,330); Major Contractor $8,810 ($9,170); Individual $135 ($140); apprentices free for member employees. 10-Year Guarantee per project: $730-$5,500 partial or $910-$6,325 full cover incl. GST, for contracts of $30,000-$4M (no cover above $4M)
Why this matters for New Zealand trades
Only EWRB-registered and licensed workers can carry out or supervise prescribed electrical work, with the practising licence renewed every 2 years; the PGDB registers and licenses plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers and prosecutes unauthorised work; and Restricted Building Work on homes must be done or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner. WorkSafe enforces the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and says amendments take effect on 1 April 2027. The payroll tools listed here file payday information with Inland Revenue, and some act as PAYE intermediaries that pay PAYE to Inland Revenue for you. Master Builders and Master Plumbers membership is voluntary and does not replace licensing.
New Zealand trades vendor selection is shaped by registration and licensing (the EWRB for electrical workers, the PGDB for plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers, and the LBP scheme for Restricted Building Work on homes), payday filing with Inland Revenue, KiwiSaver deductions, Holidays Act leave calculations, 15% GST, and health and safety duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
Frequently asked
Is Registered Master Builders Association a good fit for New Zealand trades?
The Registered Master Builders Association of New Zealand Incorporated is a voluntary membership body for residential and commercial building companies, with 23 branches and six regional hubs. Members get standard building contracts, expert advice, free dispute resolution for themselves and their clients, discount schemes, entry to the members-only House of the Year awards and access to the Master Build 10-Year Guarantee, which the association offers through its wholly owned Master Build Services Limited. Membership is not a licence: licensing for structural and weathertightness work on homes sits with the government-run LBP scheme. The 10-Year Guarantee covers a homeowner's lost deposit (up to $50,000 or 10% of the contract), non-completion (up to $500,000 or 20%), materials and workmanship for 2 years after practical completion and structural defects for 10 years, up to $1,000,000 or the contract value in total. It is available only through a Master Builders member, with fees of $730 (partial cover) to $6,325 (full cover) incl. GST for contracts of $30,000 to $4 million; it is not available for contracts over $4 million.
What does Registered Master Builders Association cost in New Zealand?
Annual fees 2026 (2027), excl. GST: Contractor $260 ($270); Residential Builder by turnover $1,605-$3,475 ($1,670-$3,615); Volume and Commercial Builder $4,160 ($4,330); Major Contractor $8,810 ($9,170); Individual $135 ($140); apprentices free for member employees. 10-Year Guarantee per project: $730-$5,500 partial or $910-$6,325 full cover incl. GST, for contracts of $30,000-$4M (no cover above $4M). Pricing and availability can change by region; confirm current New Zealand pricing on the vendor's site before committing.
Other New Zealand vendors
EWRB (Electrical Workers Registration Board)
Required certification
PGDB (Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board)
Required certification
LBP (Licensed Building Practitioners)
Required certification
WorkSafe New Zealand
Required certification
Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ
Required certification
Fergus
Software