We’ve just received a revised timeline for completion of our reno - 3 months added to a 4 month build.
We have a penalty clause in our contract and believe we will be entitled to at least part of it.
Along with the revised end date the builder is claiming EOT for a number of bad weather days (we would argue no work was scheduled on or around these days, they’ve just added every day in which rain was over 5mm) and delays due to supply (which we concede is fair in the given climate but also think they were not proactive in seeking and locking in orders with suppliers).
We don’t want to sour the relationship with our builder at this stage and want the focus to be on being amicable and getting the job complete.
Has anyone had experience with this - can we speak to solicitors now without notifying the builders and then raise our dispute at the end of the build?
Thanks in advance for any advice. Also keen for recommendations of Melbourne based solicitors with experience in this area.