Handy advice & tips:

You have the option to organise your own repairs, but you will have to ensure your repairs meet all required building and construction standards. Payment will be made once EQC has received receipts and code compliance certificates for the work undertaken. You will also be obliged to cover any cost overruns yourself.

The correct process for emergency repairs

Can I get emergency repairs done now?
Yes. If you need to get emergency repairs e.g. to secure your property or fix damaged services such as water and electricity, please take a photograph if you can of the damage or damaged items. Arrange to have the work done (you need to authorise this yourself) and obtain an invoice for the work.

What about payment for emergency repairs?
When you have an invoice for those repairs then please forward this along with your claim number if you know it, the name you lodged the claim under, the damage address, an explanation of the repairs, and any photos you may have taken, to EQC at PO Box 311 Wellington. We will contact you and try to make payment to your contractor as soon as possible.

What about other repairs or professional advice?
Other than for emergency repairs, you should wait until EQC has inspected your property. We cannot guarantee any payment for work you get done or advice you obtain such as engineers’ reports done without an EQC inspection and our approval.

T aken from the EQC website

Click here to view the EQC website for further details about repair and replacement.

Click here to view the EQC website for frequently asked questions.

Complete document from Dept of Labour all about what to do AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE - click here to download.

After the Earthquake

Residential Claims

Contact EQC
Have a certified contractor do emergency repairs and let the EQC know that this is being done – take photos and details and then send their bill and your claim information to EQC and they will pay the contractors account
EQC will inspect your property and report back their findings
Make a list of all damaged goods

Commercial Claims

Inform your own Insurance company
Have a certified contractor do emergency repairs and let the insurers know that this is being done – take photos and details and then send their bill and your claim information to the insurers and they will pay the contractors account
An Assessor will inspect your property and send their findings to the insurance company. They may asked for quotes for repairs/rebuilding. The Insurance company will then contact you
Make a list of all damaged goods

When having demolition, clean-up work, or repairs done:

Where necessary seek professional advice from ACENZ and NZIQS
Prepare some documentation (drawings and description) detailing what you want done
Ensure you have a consent
Agree a time frame for start and completion of the work
Establish a formal contract (NZ Contractors’ Federation have a Standard Form of Contract for Small Contracts)
Seek advice from member companies listed on this web site

Professional Engineering
Pricing advice - get a range of quotes from reputable suppliers.
Demolition
Clean-up
Transport
Earthworks
Drain layer
Plumber
Gas fitter
Electrical
Building - Certified Builders Assn or Master Builders Fed
Roofing

Click here to download guidelines for repairing GIB® plasterboard linings in wind or earthquake damaged properties.

Gas safety when undertaking chimney repairs

The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) urges Cantabrians to use only licensed gasfitters when replacing damaged chimneys associated with gas fired appliances following the region’s earthquake. Click here to download more information.

A quick Health and Safety notice

As the work to clean-up, demolish, repair, and reconstruct buildings damaged by the earthquake in Christchurch gets into full swing it is important that those involved ensure they have checked that gas and electricity supply is safe before undertaking any work.

You are asked to bring this to the attention of all staff who may be involved with the clean up and rebuilding work and you are also reminded of the training responsibilities set out in section 13 of the Health and Safety in Employment act 1992, which can be found by clicking here.

Other guidance material of relevance such as working in confined spaces and working safely from heights can be found by click here.

Householder checks on water supply, sewerage and gas.

In the aftermath of the earthquake, local authorities will be working in the streets to re-establish utility services such as water supply, sewerage and stormwater drainage systems. The owner of the gas networks will be ensuring the safety of their infrastructure. Householders must take responsibility for the safety of these services within their own properties. Click here to download the pdf document which outlines the steps that householders should take to ensure the integrity of their water, sewage and gas supply. Download this tip?

When you need an Electrical Worker

Ask if they are a registered electrical worker with a current practicing license – they should have an ID card which shows their registration number. Also you can check the electrical workers public register www.ewrb.govt.nz to substantiate their credentials’.