Now someone has come with a view that in the interest of expediency (for the convenience of the builder) it is OK to go to town and make changes. I am not buying it.
Interfering with approved engineering design in my view is a serious matter
I forgot to mention that if someone is killed or injured it will become a criminal matter.
One guess who will be the coward running away fastest (the guy with the loot in his pocket), its not me! It's not me! Someone else is to blame.
If you are owner and you require variation, sure but it will cost you plenty (no problem with paperwork) but if you are a builder looking to make something easier for yourself does it not follow that at the very least owner deserves proper procedure?
It does not matter what I think, this is the law:
DOMESTIC BUILDING CONTRACTS ACT 1995 - SECT 37
Variation of plans or specifications—by builder
(1) A builder who wishes to vary the plans or specifications set out in a major domestic building contract must give the building owner a notice that—
(a) describes the variation the builder wishes to make; and
(b) states why the builder wishes to make the variation; and
(c) states what effect the variation will have on the work as a whole being carried out under the contract and whether a variation to any permit will be required; and
(d) if the variation will result in any delays, states the builder's reasonable estimate as to how long those delays will be; and
(e) states the cost of the variation and the effect it will have on the contract price.
(2) A builder must not give effect to any variation unless—
(a) the building owner gives the builder a signed consent to the variation attached to a copy of the notice required by subsection (1); or
(b) the following circumstances apply—
(i) a building surveyor or other authorised person under the Building Act 1993 requires in a building notice or building order under that Act that the variation be made; and
(ii) the requirement arose as a result of circumstances beyond the builder's control; and
(iii) the builder included a copy of the building notice or building order in the notice required by subsection (1); and
(iv) the building owner does not advise the builder in writing within 5 business days of receiving the notice required by subsection (1) that the building owner wishes to dispute the building notice or building order.