Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Jan 24, 2008 2:23 pm I am getting my first house built and I am concerned about the quality of the work. The prefinished floors are scratched, the kitchen benches (laminex) are scratched. The architraves on the doors and windows are cracking the paint at the joins very obviously. The mirror in the bathroom is scratched as is the shower base. The painting is poor and can see the imperfections in the plaster and the obvious trying to fix it. Can I do anything? Dusty Re: A builder's quality, how fussy can u be? 2Jan 24, 2008 2:37 pm Trust me…….your not being too fussy with that list!!!!!
All of those issues should be addressed. Have you spoken to your builder about it all yet? Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: A builder's quality, how fussy can u be? 4Jan 24, 2008 2:54 pm Dusty Yes spoke to the builder. Who keeps saying that we expect too much and that we are very dificult to deal with as we do not back down on the issues. Good for you!!!! Tell him you’re not backing down on this one either!!!! You want it all fixed, or at least some effort to address the issues or you will take it further ….to those that can cancel his Builders License.! Expect too much?……I’m getting a picture of it all now, no your within your rights to get a home solidly built with quality work. That’s not too much to ask for, besides he didn’t mine taking your money! I must ad as well, there needs to be lots of calm communication between you and your builder, going at like a swarm of hornets will not resolve anything. Be firm stand your ground; make sure he knows you are serious about getting it sorted. But don’t be aggressive or threatening! And please No Names! (of your builder) Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: A builder's quality, how fussy can u be? 5Jan 24, 2008 3:07 pm Dusty,
They are all legitimate issues. There are standards and tolerances for all of these items that the builder must adhere to. Get and independant inspection and watch them start to fix things It is money really well spent IMO. Re: A builder's quality, how fussy can u be? 6Jan 29, 2008 11:48 am Start taking photos, keep track of all the conversations/emails/phone calls you have with your builder on each issue....
Or start a blog and tell your builder it will be published on the internet (with photos as proof) if it's not fixed within X days... Re: A builder's quality, how fussy can u be? 7Jan 29, 2008 12:22 pm As someone else suggested I definately recommend getting an independant inspection done.
Also, I don't know if this is helpful (its aimed at professionals) but you can get a copy of 'Guide to Standards & Tolerances' from the Building Commission. Can be downloaded here: http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/ww ... ntSiteID=1 A friend of mine in Adelaide uses this as a reference even though its aimed at Victoria. Quality issues. 8Feb 07, 2008 12:41 pm Get yourself a copy of the Guide to Standards and tolerances. It's a free PDF down load or they (The Victorian Buidling Commision) will send you a copy. Are you building with a big builder? Are your building following seeing a house in a display. Most of the big builders will have some reference to 'equivalent standard to that of the display home'. Take lots of photos, email your builder with queries regarding quality. Request a 'read message receipt' if you are using outlook, this way you have record they received and read your email. Do not enter the premises without them present (or do it on the sly) otherwise they may turn the table as suggest that you have damaged the property. According to your contract it is likely you gave the builder 'exclusive possession' of the property until settlement. If they catch you entering the property they can potentionally get nasty as far as breach of contract clauses. Likewise, check your contact regarding level of quality. Once again, take lots of photos of both your defects and the quality of the display.
Regards. Re: A builder's quality, how fussy can u be? 9Feb 10, 2008 10:33 pm As for the scratches on your laminate top, scratches, chips and other markings on the benchtop surface that are not clearly visible under normal lighting conditions are not considered a defect.
If you can see the scratch from a distance of 1500mm under normal lighting conditions then it is considered a defect. So says the H.I.A... Re: A builder's quality, how fussy can u be? 10Feb 10, 2008 11:36 pm renomart As for the scratches on your laminate top, scratches, chips and other markings on the benchtop surface that are not clearly visible under normal lighting conditions are not considered a defect. If you can see the scratch from a distance of 1500mm under normal lighting conditions then it is considered a defect. So says the H.I.A... crikey ... 1500mm .... thats sounds extreme. I'll be looking a lot closer than that . Doesn't seem fair for the myopically challenged . At 1500 mm I couldnt see the side of a barn . But really ... 1500mm does sound like an unfair advantage to the builder. Re: A builder's quality, how fussy can u be? 11Feb 11, 2008 9:04 am I think that's why we always see builders covering all sinks before hand over to owner. If your builder wasn't careful on that they should pay for their mistake! Re: A builder's quality, how fussy can u be? 12Feb 12, 2008 3:45 pm renomart As for the scratches on your laminate top, scratches, chips and other markings on the benchtop surface that are not clearly visible under normal lighting conditions are not considered a defect. If you can see the scratch from a distance of 1500mm under normal lighting conditions then it is considered a defect. So says the H.I.A... Are you sure that distance applies to the bechtop? On page 12 of the Standards & Tolerances Guide (http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/resources/documents/S+T_GUIDE_07.pdf) it states that: Quote: A normal viewing position is looking at a distance of 1.5m or greater (600 mm for appliances and fixtures) with the surface or material being illuminated by "non-critical light". I would have thought that benchtops would fall under fixtures. Re: A builder's quality, how fussy can u be? 13Feb 12, 2008 4:34 pm dna Are you sure that distance applies to the bechtop? On page 12 of the Standards & Tolerances Guide (http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/resources/documents/S+T_GUIDE_07.pdf) it states that: A normal viewing position is looking at a distance of 1.5m or greater (600 mm for appliances and fixtures) with the surface or material being illuminated by "non-critical light" I would have thought that benchtops would fall under fixtures. Quite sure. HIA Guide To Kitchen & Bathroom Construction - Edition 2 Section 5.0 Benchtops Section 5.4.8 Scratches, Chips and Markings ( Page 19) Re: A builder's quality, how fussy can u be? 14Feb 12, 2008 10:49 pm renomart Quite sure. HIA Guide To Kitchen & Bathroom Construction - Edition 2 Section 5.0 Benchtops Section 5.4.8 Scratches, Chips and Markings ( Page 19) Well you're the expert so I'll take your word for it (plus the fact I don't have access to that document ) I work with owner, he/she is my man on the ground and I instruct them when to visit the site and take photos and I have other tools in the bag. 4 15020 Thanks. I called VBA today and they said it was a Consumer Affairs issue, the old handball. Seems like the government organisations don't want to do their job at the moment. 2 7540 |