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Programme info  

Introduction        

This Toolkit accompanies the Easy Guide to Helping Kiwi Builders Run a Sustainable and Profitable Business. The layout of the Toolkit is designed to correspond to the steps illustrated in the Easy Guide. Much of the core content is identical to avoid the need for cross-referencing.  Other helpful tools have been added, and it includes check sheets your company can use to undertake the steps and measure your progress. Also included are other suggestions to consider along the way, and illustrative case studies so you can see what other companies have achieved.

It is essential to realise that no matter how your company currently operates, there is always room for improvement and there are always chances to seize new opportunities. Each company will have its own unique advantages and challenges. Many of the actions taken will change over time. Not all the steps in this Toolkit will immediately apply to your company. Some steps may already be in place, while others might not be appropriate due to company size or business model. They are included in this Easy Guide to so that all sizes and types of building companies can find relevant ideas and examples.   

The process of achieving sustainable business is important to …

  • remain competitive
  • conserve resources
  • enhance profitability
  • produce tangible benefits for the environment
  • minimise risk
  • positively benefit the communities in which your company operates.

By focusing on these key areas, you will create not only a more sustainable business, but one that is more flexible and able to change as the industry progresses. You will be proactively addressing issues that will affect your company in the future. The time has come for positive changes. Here’s to a future of working smarter not harder, of doing more while using less, and a building i ndustry that leads all others. Let’s get started!

Industry background – your business, your livelihood

Builders and building contractors are essential players in the building and construction industry, which currently employs just under 168,000 people. The industry also indirectly employs thousands more people in support roles in manufacturing, material supplies, waste management and transport services.

As significant employers, most of the residential and commercial structures in New Zealand are built by companies like yours. You also know that the Building Act has recently been changed. As a result, traditional construction systems are being, and will continue to be, replaced with new systems, methods and products to reflect the principles of sustainable development. There is a shortage of skilled workers who have the knowledge base to work with the new requirements. It is important for all of us working in the industry to begin to engage in this area.

This Toolkit will get you started on what you need to know and how to put any new systems into practice. It is aimed at building businesses with 15-20+ staff and/or who undertake significant project work. If your business size varies from that, this Easy Guide will still help your organisation to understand sustainable development and what it takes to incorporate it into good business practice.



  

Sustainability intro

The New Zealand Building Act 2004 introduces a concept not covered by the previous Act – ‘sustainable development’. This has been added as one of the purposes of the Act: “buildings are designed, constructed and able to be used in ways that promote sustainable development”.

Obviously, the key aspect for builders and building contractors is in building construction. This is a big task, especially as many people don’t yet understand what this will mean in practice. The Act effectively defines sustainable development in the principles it sets out. These are the:

  • need to ensure maintenance requirements of housing are reasonable and that owners are aware of these
  • need to minimise any harmful effects on human health resulting from building products or design
  • importance of recognising any special traditional/cultural aspects of building use
  • costs of a building (including maintenance) over its life
  • efficient use of energy, and energy conservation, and the use of renewable sources of energy in buildings
  • material conservation and sustainable use of materials
  • efficient use of water and the need for water conservation
  • reduction of waste during construction.

The key question is “how can you build buildings that put these principles into practice”? The revisions planned for the Building Code are unlikely to be implemented before 2007, and even then will only be at a level to eliminate worst practice. However, in the meantime progressive building industry leaders can begin preparing their businesses to take these principles into account – in other words, getting ahead of the game. Those who take serious steps towards sustainable business practices now will have the competitive advantage when the Code clauses come into effect.

Another potential ramification of sustainable development is already widespread elsewhere in the world: to obtain government construction contracts, businesses are more commonly being required to submit sustainability reports outlining social, environmental and economic activities. This is likely to be introduced here in New Zealand as the concept of sustainability continues to evolve in line with best business practice. As many construction jobs come from government-funded sources, it is helpful to keep this in mind.

It’s not just complying with regulations either – increasingly customers are asking for businesses that are more sustainable and that have more sustainable building practices, e.g. less waste, energy-efficient homes etc. Building companies need to be able to respond to this customer demand.