Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Oct 01, 2008 2:06 pm I was wondering if there is any kind of statutary law that allows the Owner of a newly constructed house access to the reciepts that were generated during variation work. We have been charged some unbelievable prices for things (ie $750 for installing pump to tank even after everything was supplied, power, slab, tank, pipes, etc). Our spec home builder seems to want to pull one over our eyes. Re: Variation Reciepts 2Oct 01, 2008 5:11 pm From what I understand, variations must be signed by the builder and owner before they can proceed. The variation must have the price. So, unless you've signed something and it had the price on it (or said smething like Prime Cost) then you shouldn't have to pay it. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Variation Reciepts 3Oct 01, 2008 5:12 pm Do you mean receipts for p/ments made by you to the builder or p/ments made by him to his suppliers to source the items which he installed in your house?
If it's the former, your situation shouldn't be any different than a purchase say for a washing machine. Just ask for a copy of the receipts. Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Variation Reciepts 4Oct 01, 2008 5:49 pm I mean the reciepts that the builder recieves from the plumber for connecting my owner supplied tank pump. I read somewhere that our spec home builder charges 20% on costs to fit. If this is how they advertise their markup to the customer, then surely we need to see the reciept (I dont trust them you see)
I was wondering if there is a statutary law that relates to this. Re: Variation Reciepts 5Oct 01, 2008 7:55 pm hI Stu,
In Quensland, and I would think most other states, legislation sets out what information must be provided by the builder when requesting variations or payments for variations. Might be worth getting a solicitor to look at it. A shame the home building industry is not held more accountable. That way there might be less unhappy and frustrated customers. Garn Re: Variation Reciepts 7Oct 02, 2008 7:26 am The problem is that they can dictate how much they feel like charging when they are holding your "move in date" at ransom. We are desperate to move in on a certain date and they have been having a jolly old time charging us for all sorts of things that we thought we'd paid for already.
I was hoping that the Government would have somehow limited how much they can charge for agresively forced variations. Re: Variation Reciepts 8Oct 13, 2008 7:50 pm by signing off the variation you agree on the price mate.
its the builders retail price, regardless if they didnt pay a cent for their trades to do the work. you sign your viable to pay, no builder unless doing it at cost price would provide you with receipts for what they paid for works. next time be wary of what your signing. Re: Variation Reciepts 10Oct 14, 2008 12:00 pm wellinformed by signing off the variation you agree on the price mate. Pretty harsh! If you sign off on a building contract which clearly states that the Builder's Margin is 20% then you have already established what the margin will be, nothing more nothing less. Any builder that attempts to extort a greater margin by presenting suspect eleventh hour variations without receipts is employing deplorable tactics - this is duress and should not be defended. wellinformed no builder unless doing it at cost price would provide you with receipts for what they paid for works. Ours does and I am very grateful as it has already saved us $1,500 on a flooring variation - the supplier accidently miscalculated the area. If we had not been allowed to see the quote this error may have never been detected. Stu, what you are asking for is quite reasonable. You have a contractual agreement to pay 20% Builder's Margin which you are not trying to avoid you are just trying to confirm that that is all that you are paying. Good luck. 'We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.' - Winston Churchill Re: Variation Reciepts 11Oct 14, 2008 7:13 pm let me get this straight, are you suggesting it is in breach of contract to charge in excess of 20% margin as per contract for variations???
that truely is laughable!!! Victorian HIA contract will state 20% margin for variations (unless stated) You will find if you read the clause attached to that statement it is an additional 20% (unless stated) on top of the builders price. Not a total of 20% builders margin on all variations!! It is quite possible that a builder will make in excess of 1000% margin on variations not a part of the standard build, how else do you suggest they make money??? Re: Variation Reciepts 12Oct 15, 2008 8:05 am What we were refering to is that if the work cost the contractor $500 to complete then the spec home builder will charge a 20% margin on that cost in addition to the actual $500 cost to complete works.
I dont believe that enigma_brennan was insinuating that we should only pay 20% of the cost to build the item. The point I was trying to make was that I should have access to the reciepts if my contract states that I am up for 20% builders margin (Plus the construction costs). 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 15265 Looking for advice on whether this variation in tile colour is acceptable. The large tile on the left was used in my main bathroom renovation 1 year ago. My ensuite… 0 8489 yes it does, you've just not understood it. theres a difference. 4 5322 |