Exceeding the minimum

This Issue This is a part of the Aiming higher feature

By - , Build 159

A BRANZ research programme aims to help consumers understand minimum acceptable construction standards and the benefits of exceeding them.

ONE OF THE MOST pressing issues identified by government and industry is helping consumers understand building minimums and the benefits of exceeding them. In response, BRANZ established the Exceeding the Minimum programme of work to address areas of concerns:

  • Minimum acceptable standards of construction provided by standards and the Building Code are often interpreted as a target by the construction industry and consumers instead of what they are – an accepted legal minimum. The minimum requirement does not necessarily mean, for example, a house has comfortable temperatures and will be free of excessive indoor moisture and mould year round.
  • Consumers prefer to invest in visible areas such as expensive bathroom fittings but minimum quality plumbing behind the walls.
  • Many New Zealanders have little or no understanding or experience of living in a higher-performing house. These homes can provide a more comfortable, healthier living environment with lower operating costs, lower maintenance and improved liveability.

Understand and improve knowledge

Too few New Zealand houses go well beyond minimum. Exceeding the Minimum aims to:

  • understand current knowledge and communications between the construction industry and consumers regarding minimum building requirements
  • explore information needs, available resources and current knowledge and communication gaps
  • improve industry and consumer understanding of the benefits of exceeding the minimum
  • provide increased resilience by developing better and best solutions.

Five success criteria

To deliver on these aims, five success criteria were defined, each with specific research questions to be answered:

  • Consumers and industry understand that the Code and standards are a minimum that must be met but can be exceeded.
  • The benefits of exceeding the minimum can be clearly articulated based on meaningful terms.
  • The barriers to exceeding the minimum have been addressed.
  • Consumers expect and demand buildings and communities that perform to a higher standard.
  • The industry delivers buildings and communities that perform to a higher requirement in a cost-effective way.

Supported by advisory group

An Exceeding the Minimum Programme Advisory Group (EMPAG) provides advice that ensures the programme remains relevant and on track with delivering against its aims and success criteria.

Note

Information on the Exceeding the Minimum programme and current projects is at www.branz.co.nz, then Industry research.

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