In New Zealand, it will take more time and more money for building consents to happen, say architects there. The Institute of Architects took to warning clients that it is not their fault that the process is taking too much time.
Until now, architects had to inform and handle clients upset with the changes to the process as well as to the increased costs. The national organisation is issuing alerts to clients alerting them that local authorities are to blame for these problems.
In a letter written to the councils, the Institute of Architects says, "The purpose of this practice alert is to advise upon the current disruptions to the building consent process and to recommend courses of action to ensure that clients understand and accept time and cost implications." They even went as far as to state that the process has become a joke there. The letter said, "Many building consent authorities appear not to be committing themselves to the legally imposed target of issuing a building consent within 20 working days of application and from the experience of architects, many are not even bothering to ask questions sufficient to 'stop the clock' as required by law."
They further went on to state, "It would appear that 90 per cent of all building consent authorities are currently not licensed to issue building permits."
The slowdown has caused many projects to fail to begin on time, effective worldwide clients who are investing here as well as locals.