I've been reading most of your thread in response to building with Boutique. I've recently signed PWC with them and have arranged for the colour selection in Aug but i've requested that the signing of HIA be pushed back.
I was reading through the HIA and was wondering if anyone has had issues when going through it??..
Nothing you need to change - but more things to be aware of (ie; your rights under the contract).
Specifically my contract says (yours may be different - so check first):
- If the plans and specifications were prepared by Boutique, then they are responsible for the cost of mistakes in those documents, regardless of what the mistake is, or how much time/effort/expense is required to fix the mistake. In my case, they had to move an entire wall, re-engineer part of the frame, roof supports and windows after the frame was already up (I'm not joking). We argued constantly with Boutique about it (they came up with ridiculous solutions to avoid having pull down and re-build the frame) - but we stood our ground and won.
- Don't accept variations they present to you afterwards because you think you don't have a choice. YOU DO. They cannot force you to accept a variation if you don't like it. EG: they sent through a variation to change the bathroom sinks because the ones we chose are "out of stock". Their replacement is a cheaper sink - so we didn't sign the variation and advised them what to do (ie; told them which sinks we would be happy with as replacements). That last point is important - if you reject a variation, you have to then recommend an alternative.
- DO NOT PAY THE INVOICES until they have completed the work outlined in the contract for each stage. I got an invoice 2 weeks ago for the fixing stage. I told them I wasn't paying it until they've actually *finished* the work as defined in the contract. When they do, then I'll pay them - and not before. Why would I needlessly pay extra interest on my loan just because they've asked for the money and not done the work. As of yesterday morning, the fixings stage didn't look any closer to being finished.
- Hold Boutique to account for every single detail. Read the "Interpretation of Contract Documents" section very carefully. My contract says that the specification take precedence over the plans. EG; My specifications say "built in refrigerator", despite the plans being wrong and not allowing for the extra space. As per above, the plans were made by Boutique and legally their cost/burden to fix and allow for the items in the specifications. Also, if your plans show taps/faucets etc as centered - make sure they are. Read the guide for allowable tolerances to know when it's "off" and must be changed. Boutique had to jackhammer my slab and re-plumb both shower bases because the drain wasn't perfectly centered. Trust me - it looks terrible when it's not.
- The contract does not allow you to take possession of the land (until all is said and done) - but that doesn't stop your right to enter your land for *any* reason. So long as you do not disrupt the build process - you can legally enter your land. Boutique tried to scare us with the "when we start building, we own the land and you can't go onto the site without our approval". NOPE - WRONG. They only have possession of your land, not ownership, and the legislation protects your rights to enter your own land.
Know your rights, know your contract.
Yes, you sign the contract, but so do they - they are legally bound to deliver on what they've signed.
Ask nicely at first, then start demanding when that gets you nowhere, when things go wrong.