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| Information about the Building Work Put in Place |
Availability
| Valid From: .. | 06/30/1965 |
| To: .. | Ongoing |
| Frequency: .. | Quarterly |
Design
Purpose: The Quarterly Building Activity Survey (QBAS) measures the actual dollar value of work put in place on a construction job within New Zealand in the reference quarter. The Quarterly Building Activity Survey has been conducted since 1965. It was introduced to supplement building consent statistics as an economic indicator. It was felt that the number and value of building consents issued was not an accurate estimate of the amount actually spent on building projects in New Zealand over any period of time.
General Information ..Data from Building Consents issued by territorial authorities is used to populate and stratify the QBAS sample. Once a consent is chosen to be included within QBAS it remains within the sample until the building job is reported as finished. Each new quarter the new consents are included and a sample of these is introduced into QBAS.
The design has not been changed significantly since the survey began, although work has been done to keep the sample optimal via re-optimisation of the strata boundaries. Also, in mid-1996, the QBAS system was migrated from the Mainframe environment to a Local Area Network (LAN) environment. At this time, some changes to the survey methodology were introduced.
 Click here for a link to the Questionnaires and forms database, with a copy of this questionnaire.
A copy is available on request from Enterprise Production.
Output Variables
Output variables are pieces of individual information that can be extracted from the survey/output data. Often output variables can be cross tabulated with other output variables, for example sales by industry classification. The list below contains all current and past output variables which have been released for this survey/output.
| Variable Name | Description |  |
| | |
| Residential Buildings | | |
| New Dwellings | Value of building work put in place (excluding GST) | |
| Alterations / Additions and outbuildings | Building work that is done on a pre-existing building. Adding a room, altering layout. Cannot include new dwelling units.
Value of building work put in place (excluding GST) | |
| Total Residential Buildings | Value of building work put in place (excluding GST) | |
| Non residential Buildings (incl Alterations and Additions) | | |
| Hotels and Boarding houses | Value of building work put in place (excluding GST) | |
| Hospitals and Nursing homes | Value of building work put in place (excluding GST) | |
| Factories and Industrial Buildings | Value of building work put in place (excluding GST) | |
| Commercial Buildings | Includes shops, restaurants, taverns, offices, administrative buildings and storage buildings.
Value of building work put in place (excluding GST) | |
| Education Buildings | Schools, Universities, Polytechnics.
Value of building work put in place (excluding GST)
| |
| Miscellaneous and Multipurpose | Value of building work put in place (excluding GST) | |
| Total Non residential | Value of building work put in place (excluding GST) | |
| All Buildings (Actual) | Value of building work put in place (excluding GST) | |
| All Buildings (Seasonally adjusted) | Value of building work put in place (excluding GST) | |
| Institutional Sector | Building work put in place is able to be categorised by the sector of ownership (Central Govt, Private, Financial, Rest of World...) | |
| Building nature | Building work put in place is able to be categorised by the nature of the construction (new construction, alterations, additions, demolitions...) | |
Changes in Output Variables over time
Guide to Interpreting Data
Summary of Changes to Survey/Output ..Seasonal adjustment methodology
The seasonal adjustment methodology changed, when the figures for the December 1994 quarter were released, from fixed quarterly forward factors to concurrent seasonal adjustment. In addition, all seasonally adjusted figures are now subject to revision each quarter. This enables the seasonal component to be better estimated and removed from the series.
Building Consents
Under the new building regulations effective from 1 January 1993, building authorisations are applied for under the Building Consents system administered by territorial authorities. Prior to this date, applications were made under the Building Permits system. The Building Consents system, however, has wider coverage than the Building Permits system. The additional coverage includes some government building (particularly work on education buildings) and on-site drainage and reticulation work.
Information Technology System
The QBAS system was migrated to the Local Area Network (LAN) environment in June 1996. The QBAS data and reports from June 1996 are stored on the LAN. The QBAS data for June 1995 to March 1996 has also been migrated to the LAN (there is some data in the database for quarters prior to this, but it is not complete).
Change to the strata boundaries
Strata boundaries were redesigned in time for the March 1998 quarter release. This doc-link takes you to the report covering the reoptimisation of the strata boundaries.
Prior to the March quarter 1998, the stratification of the QBAS sample occurred as follows -
The QBAS sample selection was split into 8 different strata, determined by the value and building type of the consent.
Residential
Strata Value range Weight Units (in June 1997 quarter*)
1 Over $215,000 1 (full coverage) 1949
2 $80,000 - $215,000 Partial 1185
3 $30,000 - $80,000 Partial 346
4 $5,000 - $30,000 1 (full coverage) 3297
Non residential
Strata Value range Weight Units (in June 1997 quarter*)
5 Over $650,000 1 (full coverage) 560
6 $155,000 - $650,000 Partial 196
7 $50,000 - $155,000 Partial 112
8 $5,000 - $50,000 1 (full coverage) 5373
Strata 1 and 5 were both full coverage. Strata 4 and 8 were both not sampled as it was assumed that all work was done within the quarter that the consent is issued, this meant that the value of the consent was entered as the value of work done on the job. Strata 2, 3, 6 and 7 were sampled to a certain number to have some control over sample size.
Introduction of deflated data in the Hot off the Press and INFOS.
The deflation of the QBAS residential, non-residential and all buildings totals was first introduced in the March 1998 quarter release. The indexes that were used for the deflation were the residential and non-residential price indexes from the Producer Price Index. These indexes were originally based in the September 1997 quarter and have been rebased to the June 1991 quarter.
The all buildings total was created using an 'indirect' method. Rather than creating an all buildings index and deflating the all buildings raw data, the total was created by summing the deflated residential and non-residential totals.
Once the three indexes were created they were applied to the actual, seasonally adjusted and trend series for each of residential, non-residential and all buildings series using the following formula:
June quarter 96 seasonally adjusted series deflation process:
= (seasonally adjusted value/June 96 index value)*base index number
= ($991,468.5/1343.8)*1000
= $737,807.5
Usage and Limitations of the Data ..Usage
The QBAS is the best measure available of the work done within the construction industry. Whereas the Building Consents Issued release measures the number and value of issued consents, the QBAS data measures the actual work done on the consents, giving an accurate picture of the construction projects that have commenced.
Limitations
Due to inflation, the values of consents have risen over time. This leads to sample size increasing as non-sampled low value consents are rising into the lower strata, and the partially sampled consents are rising into the full coverage strata. Currently there is a QBAS sample redesign under way that is looking at raising the strata boundaries to take account of inflation since the last boundary decision was made.
Prior to September 1996, consents listed with more than one building type were coded within the Miscellaneous and Multi purpose building type which caused a misallocation. From September 1996 onwards the consent value (and thus the Building work put in place) is split between the building types that are listed. This is a good result as it reduces the substance of the less informative building type of Miscellaneous and Multi purpose and increases the values for the appropriate types. Although this has caused some discontinuity in this series, it is a significant improvement on previous results.
Related Data Sources ..Building Consents issued gives the final number of new dwelling units. This is a good comparison for the estimated figure to check accuracy. Generally estimates vary by an absolute difference of 5 or less for each area unit, however with estimates gained by phone the difference has been larger than 50 at times. Respondents are queried if differences between the Territorial authority estimate of the number of new dwellings and the final number of new dwellings is larger than 10 for the larger councils and 5 for the smaller councils.
- Estimate of New Dwelling units - An early estimate of the count of new dwelling issued by Territorial Authorities in the reference month.
- Annual Enterprise Survey (AES) construction - Financial information is surveyed for the construction industry. Building Consents issued provide the data from which stratification and sample selection occurs.
Sampling Errors ..Due to QBAS being a sample survey, sample errors do occur.
Non-sampling errors The overall contractor often subcontracts work on larger projects, which means that work put in place is the sum of all sub contractor work. The more subcontractors, the more room for error in miscounting. The questionnaire is only sent to the contractor that is listed on the consent so the more subcontractors, the more calculations are required to calculate the total work put in place on the job.
Often it is not clear to the respondent exactly what is to be considered work put in place. For example supplies purchased but not yet used are often included in returned questionnaires. We have no way of identifying these miscalculations unless they are large.
Building companies are often not large enough to justify someone with accounting training to respond to questionnaires leading to errors in calculations from respondents.
Caveats on Release ..
Catalogue & Reference Numbers
| HOTP: | Cat 12.502 |
| INFOS: |
(Discontinued June 1983 . . . . .)
Value of Work Put in Place: Dwellings: Auckland BASQ.S1A
Value of Work Put in Place: Dwellings: Wellington/Hutt BASQ.S1C
Value of Work Put in Place: Dwellings: Remainder of North Island BASQ.S1E
Value of Work Put in Place: Dwellings: Christchurch BASQ.S1G
Value of Work Put in Place: Dwellings: Remainder of South Island BASQ.S1I
Value of Work Put in Place: Dwellings: Northland & Central Auckland BASQ.S1K
Value of Work Put in Place: Dwellings: South Auckland & Bay of Plenty BASQ.S1M
Value of Work Put in Place: Dwellings: East Coast, Hawkes Bay & Taranaki BASQ.S1O
Value of Work Put in Place: Dwellings: Wellington BASQ.S1Q
Value of Work Put in Place: Dwellings: Canterbury BASQ.S1S
Value of Work Put in Place: Dwellings: Malb/Nelson/Westland/Otago/Sthlnd BASQ.S1U
(Discontinued June 1983 . . . . .)
Value of Work Put in Place: Total: Auckland BASQ.S1B
Value of Work Put in Place: Total: Wellington/Hutt BASQ.S1D
Value of Work Put in Place: Total: Remainder of North Island BASQ.S1F
Value of Work Put in Place: Total: Christchurch BASQ.S1H
Value of Work Put in Place: Total: Remainder of South Island BASQ.S1J
Value of Work Put in Place: Total: Northland & Central Auckland BASQ.S1L
Value of Work Put in Place: Total: South Auckland & Bay of Plenty BASQ.S1N
Value of Work Put in Place: Total: East Coast, Hawkes Bay & Taranaki BASQ.S1P
Value of Work Put in Place: Total: Wellington BASQ.S1R
Value of Work Put in Place: Total: Canterbury BASQ.S1T
Value of Work Put in Place: Total: Marlb/Nelson/Westland/Otago/Southland BASQ.S1V
Table 8.02: Value of Work Put in Place: By Type
Value of Work Put in Place: Dwellings: New Houses & Flats: Government BASQ.S2A
Value of Work Put in Place: Dwellings: New Houses & Flats: Other BASQ.S2B
Value of Work Put in Place: Dwellings: New Houses & Flats: Total BASQ.S2C
Value of Work Put in Place: Dwellings: Alterations & Additions BASQ.S2D
Value of Work Put in Place: Dwellings: Total BASQ.S2E
Value of Work Put in Place: Other Buildings: Hotels & Boarding Houses BASQ.S2F
Value of Work Put in Place: Other Buildings: Hospitals BASQ.S2G
Value of Work Put in Place: Other Buildings: Factories & Powerhouses BASQ.S2H
Value of Work Put in Place: Other Buildings: Commercial Buildings BASQ.S2I
Value of Work Put in Place: Other Buildings: Schools BASQ.S2J
Value of Work Put in Place: Other Buildings: Miscellaneous BASQ.S2K
Value of Work Put in Place: Other Buildings: Total BASQ.S2L
Value of Work Put in Place: Grand Total of Dwellings & Other Buildings BASQ.S2M
Table 8.03: Value of Work Put in Place: By Sector
Value of Work Put in Place: Private Producer Enterprises BASQ.SV1A
Value of Work Put in Place: Producer Board Enterprises BASQ.SV1B
Value of Work Put in Place: Central Government Enterprises BASQ.SV1C
Value of Work Put in Place: Local Government Enterprises BASQ.SV1D
Value of Work Put in Place: Finance: Central Government BASQ.SV1E
Value of Work Put in Place: Finance: Local Government BASQ.SV1F
Value of Work Put in Place: Finance: Private BASQ.SV1G
Value of Work Put in Place: Administration: Central Government BASQ.SV1H
Value of Work Put in Place: Administration: Local Government BASQ.SV1I
Value of Work Put in Place: Non-profit Organisations BASQ.SV1J
Value of Work Put in Place: Households BASQ.SV1K
Value of Work Put in Place: Rest of World BASQ.SV1L
Value of Work Put in Place: Total All Sectors: Actual BASQ.SV1Z
Value of Work Put in Place: Total All Sectors: Seasonally Adjusted BASQ.S2S |
Other Comments
Classification(s) used
Glossary of Terms
| Term | Description |
| |
| Residential Buildings | |
| Building Work Put In Place | This is the work on a building job that has been done in the reference quarter. A questionnaire is sent to respondents asking for total work put in place. This previous quarters figure is removed from this quarters figure which gives the work done in the current quarter. This figure is meant to include all work done by subcontractors also. |
| Dwelling alterations and additions | Building work that is done on a pre-existing building. Adding a room, altering layout. Cannot include new dwelling units. |
| Domestic outbuildings | Construction of stand alone domestic buildings that are not intended for habitation, includes garages and garden sheds. Cannot include new dwelling units. |
| Total residential Buildings | The sum of all values assigned to Dwellings, Alterations and additions and out buildings. |
| Non-Residential Buildings | |
| Hotels and Boarding Houses | |
| Hospitals, Nursing Homes | |
| Education Buildings | Schools, Universities, Polytechnics. |
| Commercial buildings | Includes shops, restaurants, taverns, offices, administrative buildings and storage buildings. |
| Factories and Industrial buildings | |
| Miscellaneous and Multipurpose buildings | Includes social, cultural, religious, recreational and farm buildings. |
Total non residential buildings
(value) | Total value of building work done for the above subcategories |
| All | |
| All Buildings | Sum of the value of Residential and non residential building work done in the specified quarter, including alterations and additions. |
| Institutional Sector | Building work put in place is able to be categorised by the sector of ownership (Central Govt, Private, Financial, Rest of World...) |
| Building nature | Building work put in place is able to be categorised by the nature of the construction (new construction, alterations, additions, demolitions...) |
| Activity | What the construction is making (roofing, bedrooms, fitout...) |
| Seasonally adjusted series | The value of all building work put in place is adjusted to take account of seasonal fluctuations |
| Building Consent | Signals the INTENTION to build. A building consent is required before construction can commence on most building projects. Projects excluded from this requirement include roads and hydro dams. |
| Territorial Authorities | Geographical areas controlled by a local body. Includes Local / District councils and City councils. |
Contact Details
Liability
Statistics New Zealand gives no warranty that the information or data supplied contains no errors. However, all care and diligence has been used in processing, analysing and extracting the information. Statistics New Zealand shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by the customer consequent upon the use directly, or indirectly, of the information supplied in this product.
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