A call to help lower building costs - after a hike over the past four years

A study by Property Services Company QV reveals building-related charges increased by an average of 44-percent.

Auckland had the smallest margin at 39.4-percent and Dunedin the highest at 47-percent.

Construction Analyst Mike Blackburn says he's looking for action on the government's plan to make materials more accessible.

He says it would make it easier to bring alternative products into the country, so builders aren't limited.