Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Sep 10, 2010 3:44 pm Hi All, Hoping for some advice. Landscape guy is installing 3x Patios + 2x Huge limestone walls + paving the back of your property for us. His quote said it includes council costs and engineer drawings. I had a really good feeling although he has just got back to me and said he didn't add totals properly but will honor his original price as was his mistake. Anyway the price remains the same but has me thinking and I'm not really in the know so have the following questions any help greatly appreciated Thx xx 1. He is a Landscape guy, and has to apply for a council building license, should he be using a builders rego number?. 2. Landscape guy is having engineer drawings done so is asking for a 30% deposit before submitting the building license app and getting drawings drawn. What if the council does not approve the application and we have already paid the 30% deposit ($8000) Is it usual to pay so much in advance, prior to council approval? What did you builder/ Landscaper do with your payment plan? Or what if the engineer drawing's then specify way more than his quote estimated for? 3. Also on his quote it said Note:It is important to note that this price includes site work and is for reconstituted limestone wall and moreover is subject to a further site inspection to ensure bobcat access to rears as prices may vary dependent on access and the amount of manual labor necessary to complete works. Our budget does not permit for any further $$$$ for the works - Should I ask the guy if we can agree on a fixed price? and have all parties sign off on the quote noting this? I realize these are all questions I should discuss with the Landscape man when we meet tomorrow but would like any help with feedback before I meet with him again. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP Re: When to Pay any other such start items 2Sep 10, 2010 6:03 pm 1/ It is a bit of a grey area really. In WA, if the works which the person whom you are signing a contract with is valued at $20,000 or more, then they do need to be a registered builder (e.g. have a builders registration number). You wont need to worry too much about this, as you have mentioned that they are submitting the applications to the local council. There will be a section on the building application where they will have to enter the builders details. Your landscaper may have their own registration number, or they may piggy back off someone else's registration number. 2/ Refer them to the Home Building Contracts Act 1991. You as a consumer are protected by this act, if the value of the work being performed is between $7,500 and $500,000. Under this act, a maximum deposit of 6.5% of the contract value can be asked for. This said, early payments/large deposits are done in good faith (especially to smaller contractors), although 30% does seem high. 3/ By the sound of it, this clause is merely covering their arse for any addition costs if your property does not have good access. Did they come out and inspect the property and did you talk about access. Basically what they are saying is "they will be asking for more money if they have to walk the building material 50m down the side of the house as their price allowed for it to be transported via a bobcat". It would be a standard clause that they would put on all quotes, and you wont need to worry about it if you have decent access to the areas where the work is occurring. Out of interest, how high is the retaining wall? Re: When to Pay any other such start items 3Sep 12, 2010 7:11 am Hi there thx for ur help I have arranged to meet next week just to get facts straight before hand. It is alot of money to part with without asking some questions... Hmm To answer your question the retaining walls are both approximate 15m long by 2.2 high. I understand council approval is required for these and the patios also. I'm up at 4am thinking about all this lol and had another thought..... We would be happy to pay the deposit 'in good faith' but what happens if building license is not approved? Is it general practice to pay before an approvAl is received..... Lol another question for my list lol The best advice is for you to get a competent building consultant to guide you through your build 7 3782 Yep, very good point. I’ll do more research and see what figures I get. Thank you! 8 2462 I recently went through a similar renovation and move scenario when updating our family home. We also swapped some rooms around and tackled a major… 2 3675 |