Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Things to note when you review 'Building Specifications' 2Apr 06, 2021 10:01 am Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Things to note when you review 'Building Specifications' 4Apr 09, 2021 9:20 am Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Things to note when you review 'Building Specifications' 7Sep 29, 2021 3:04 pm Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Things to note when you review 'Building Specifications' 9Sep 30, 2021 8:30 am Most free lance designers are feeling the pinch atm and have dropped their rates Shop around 1%-2% is a fair rate. Avoid free sketches from designers they generally get secret commissions 3%-4% added in by the builders ( Sweetheart Deals). The designers also like builders doing their own final drawings/engineering where's their is more scope for changes, increases and price gouging throughout the process . Break the mould of 1. free sketch and free estimate.. by definition anything free has no value 2. Preparation of plan agreement, pay initial deposit... make changes and watch the price increase 3. Final contract preparation ie building docs .... bad luck the engineering and site works have been finalised your build has gone up a further $50K (humour) You can avoid this by going to planning with prelim engineering yourself without a builder. BTW, when you engage a builder, Tell them to price up and build what's approved, no changes, non compliance will not be tolerated and the build will be independently checked and certified at critical stages. Can't be more fair than that, if they don't agree then they are not for you, walk out Cheers Chris Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Thanks for your reply! All valid points and I agree with you on many of them. I am in QLD, any recommendations on a construction lawyer would be helpful 3 2628 i thought the flipped plan initially but bec i want narrow pathway from entry to dining (dont like bend), also cannot fit the… 7 17259 It is true that a builder can ignore your independent inspection report as it is not part of the contractual arrangement but that is stupid because he cannot avoid fixing… 9 46834 |