Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Apr 04, 2021 7:40 pm Apologies if this topic has already been discussed in detail in another thread. I did a quick search but couldn't find that... This probably is a very broad question. So just to specify our situation here first. We just received the paper contract for us to final review and sign off. Then we noted 10 pages of 'building specifications' which were probably first time provided to us for review. It lists statutory requirements, setting out and excavations, termite risk management, foundations and footings, retaining walls... tiling, painting, etc. Items covered and some of the descriptions appears similar to what I found in 'HIA General Housing Specifications - NSW'. An article that I found online suggested that this should be a key documentation to be considered at the tender stage. I am now totally blaming myself for not querying about this earlier... And from a quick look, I am also not sure whether we would be capable of picking up any inadequacy/inappropriateness of the specifications? Do people normally engage experts to review this and propose improvements/variations? If you would like to share some tips/things to note/experience in handling the review of the building specifications/negotiating with the builder, please kindly post a response here. Thank you very much:) Re: Things to note when you review 'Building Specifications' 2Apr 06, 2021 10:01 am Lina C This probably is a very broad question. So just to specify our situation here first. We just received the paper contract for us to final review and sign off. Then we noted 10 pages of 'building specifications' which were probably first time provided to us for review. It lists statutory requirements, setting out and excavations, termite risk management, foundations and footings, retaining walls... tiling, painting, etc. Items covered and some of the descriptions appears similar to what I found in 'HIA General Housing Specifications - NSW'. Broad and spread out over this forum, As for the Building association documentation... that is very limited because that's the way project builders like it... by design and legislation Put too much in initially and you will 1. Confuse the clients and kill the deal 2. New home salesman don't like massive amounts of paperwork. 3. Get a PPA deposit and drip feed the price increases and details after each successive additional deposit received for eg. First one, Preparation of plans with min. specification and engineering Second Statutory fees and services, Third variation upgrades, Forth, engineering... you will get the gist Unfortunately, by the time you get hit with everything you're up to it in quicksand and sinking fast.. if you pull out you wont save your deposit , builders plans and wasted time. If you remain you are 20 years financially in arrears by over paying what should have been a fair amount Lina C An article that I found online suggested that this should be a key documentation to be considered at the tender stage. I am now totally blaming myself for not querying about this earlier... And from a quick look, I am also not sure whether we would be capable of picking up any inadequacy/inappropriateness of the specifications? You will get the key documentation after you have have signed contracts and keep paying. problematic is they will start when trades and resources become available OT, Also expect huge delays after slab down as trades becomes scare and expensive Thanks to Home Builder Grant and the governments knee jerk reactions imo they have caused irreputable damage to the lucky country and middle class Australia Lina C Do people normally engage experts to review this and propose improvements/variations? If you would like to share some tips/things to note/experience in handling the review of the building specifications/negotiating with the builder, please kindly post a response here. Thank you very much:) Of course they do, They also own their drawings, 3D AEC BIM, engineering and data... LOL up front.. where it counts and matters BTW, there is no negotiating when someone else holds the whip hand. It's take it or leave it, how is that beneficial? Cheers Chris Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Things to note when you review 'Building Specifications' 3Apr 08, 2021 11:07 pm Hi Chris structuralBIMGuy,
Thank you so much for your response:) Yes, we ended up accepting the documentation of 'building specifications'. Just as you mentioned, we don't have the negotiating power at this stage, it's basically take it or leave it... I already sensed significant delays, as we have been stuck in the 'contract preparation and signing stage' for over three months, and the construction commencement date as per contract is defined as after slabs are done. (I tried to negotiate and change the definition, but of course I failed LOL) I wish we were smart enough to organize and own the drawings, BIM, engineering and data before engaging any builders. That's really the most important lesson that I've learned so far! Re: Things to note when you review 'Building Specifications' 4Apr 09, 2021 9:20 am Make sure you have all the certified documentation cross checked before they start, as mistakes will be costly for both you and the builder. Here are some checks and balances as you start the build 1.As there are trades, material shortages and delays don't pay in advance of work being done to anyone 2.Hire a professional from the start to do at least a few checks , this puts the Builder on notice that Non compliant work will not be tolerated 3.If work requires rectification withhold payments make sure repairs are done immediately, if they walk off payed they seldom return. 4.Builders will try to cash flow their other projects by getting you to pay more upfront. there is no carrot for you 5.Count and take photos of all materials delivered on site make sure it's put into your build and not someone else's 6. Check to see trades are on site and adhere to time frames 7. If it doesn't look right then take photos and ask question, this forum is your friend 8. Avoid posting on other forums that manipulate and block posts, particularly if they are sponsors or have vested interests 9.10 OT Engineering Bim also gives you the tools to do some of the checks/ cross checks yourself, ie, how may bricks, Details, masonry specs,etc Those of us that have been around long enough have seen Boom/Bust cycles.... LOL nothing like this one Cheers Chris Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Things to note when you review 'Building Specifications' 6Sep 29, 2021 2:50 pm @structyralBIMGuy Hi Are you saying it's better to get your own designs then find a builder? Am in the process of building my second home and wanting to have a different experience from my first build. At the moment am leaning towards going with New choice homes Has anyone had anything about them i should look out for? Thanks everyone I read all the posts in this forum- my first time posting. Re: Things to note when you review 'Building Specifications' 7Sep 29, 2021 3:04 pm Hey cleveriy welcome to the forum 100%, Own copyright of your own Design, Engineering and Data Then get 3 Builder to quote, do not pay any deposits that may lock you into variations and price Gouging Builders are going "hell for leather" trying to recoup lost margins Cheers Chris Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Things to note when you review 'Building Specifications' 8Sep 29, 2021 3:42 pm StructuralBIMGuy Hey cleveriy welcome to the forum 100%, Own copyright of your own Design, Engineering and Data Then get 3 Builder to quote, do not pay any deposits that may lock you into variations and price Gouging Builders are going "hell for leather" trying to recoup lost margins Cheers Chris Thank you for your quick reply. Really appreciated. how can i go about getting someone to do my designs? 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 17260 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 |