Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jul 27, 2023 5:48 pm Hi Everyone, So we have signed our contract and have paid 5% deposit. The contract includes a swimming pool and prime cost for cabinetry kitchen and laundry. I’m not a big fan of the cabinetry from the builder and would like to get our own contractor to build the kitchen and laundry. So pretty much remove the prime cost and pay the contractor ourselves. Builder is open to proceed with owner supplied kitchen if it align a with schedule. Should i get this added to my contract? My builder has asked me if I wanted to change from plungie pool to custom concrete pool. I’ve asked multiple time for the swimming pool contractor details but our builder won’t tell me who it is. I want to review the contractor and check their reviews online. As I want someone that has reputable reviews and good reccommodations . I want to ask to remove the swimming pool component if the builder won’t tell me the details. Will I be charged for variations for these removals? Thanks in advance Re: Removing items from contract 2Jul 28, 2023 12:55 pm Huynhm3 Hi Everyone, So we have signed our contract and have paid 5% deposit. The contract includes a swimming pool and prime cost for cabinetry kitchen and laundry. I’m not a big fan of the cabinetry from the builder and would like to get our own contractor to build the kitchen and laundry. So pretty much remove the prime cost and pay the contractor ourselves. Builder is open to proceed with owner supplied kitchen if it align a with schedule. Should i get this added to my contract? My builder has asked me if I wanted to change from plungie pool to custom concrete pool. I’ve asked multiple time for the swimming pool contractor details but our builder won’t tell me who it is. I want to review the contractor and check their reviews online. As I want someone that has reputable reviews and good reccommodations . I want to ask to remove the swimming pool component if the builder won’t tell me the details. Will I be charged for variations for these removals? Thanks in advance The only person who can answer your questions is your builder. You should be talking to them to see what they will or wont agree to cheers Simeon Architectural Homes & Duplexes - specialising in custom designing homes to your budget Get a Free Onsite Consultation Today or send a PM for information, questions or advice. Re: Removing items from contract 3Jul 28, 2023 1:17 pm As an observer I have to be brutal, what were you thinking when you were signing building contract? Were you asleep at the wheel? You dont have automatic right to variations under a lump sum contract and the builder does not have to agree, if he does it will and should cost you plenty. A builder should not let you bring your contractor on site. The whole point of the building design is to assess your needs and provide a solution in the form of drawings and specification and it is your duty of care to make sure it is what you want before you sign. If you want the flexibility to change as you like and the builder to attend to your changing wishes you should have signed a cost plus contract expect to pay more and get your cheque book out to pay accordingly. So either pay up or take a cold shower. Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Removing items from contract 4Jul 28, 2023 2:27 pm building-expert As an observer I have to be brutal, what were you thinking when you were signing building contract? Were you asleep at the wheel? You dont have automatic right to variations under a lump sum contract and the builder does not have to agree, if he does it will and should cost you plenty. A builder should not let you bring your contractor on site. The whole point of the building design is to assess your needs and provide a solution in the form of drawings and specification and it is your duty of care to make sure it is what you want before you sign. If you want the flexibility to change as you like and the builder to attend to your changing wishes you should have signed a cost plus contract expect to pay more and get your cheque book out to pay accordingly. So either pay up or take a cold shower. Thanks for your honesty. I think you are overthinking this. Every build is different, people change their minds all the time. Hence there are variations. You can’t have it perfect first round. I have the right to change my mind for anything. I wouldn’t want to work if a builder that is not flexible. My question was if I removed these items, will I get charge for variation admin fees as it wasn’t stated in the contract. Re: Removing items from contract 5Jul 28, 2023 2:59 pm Huynhm3 building-expert As an observer I have to be brutal, what were you thinking when you were signing building contract? Were you asleep at the wheel? You dont have automatic right to variations under a lump sum contract and the builder does not have to agree, if he does it will and should cost you plenty. A builder should not let you bring your contractor on site. The whole point of the building design is to assess your needs and provide a solution in the form of drawings and specification and it is your duty of care to make sure it is what you want before you sign. If you want the flexibility to change as you like and the builder to attend to your changing wishes you should have signed a cost plus contract expect to pay more and get your cheque book out to pay accordingly. So either pay up or take a cold shower. Thanks for your honesty. I think you are overthinking this. Every build is different, people change their minds all the time. Hence there are variations. You can’t have it perfect first round. I have the right to change my mind for anything. I wouldn’t want to work if a builder that is not flexible. My question was if I removed these items, will I get charge for variation admin fees as it wasn’t stated in the contract. i think you are underthinking this. Theres a contract in place with very strict variation processes to prevent people change their minds all the time. Youre naive if you think the guy who's built thousands of homes and worked in the industry for ~50 years and reviewed thousands of contracts is "'Overthinking". You, with no building experience, needing to jump on a forum to get an answer to a basic question on your build, are seriously underqualified to make that assertion. Re: Removing items from contract 6Jul 28, 2023 3:16 pm Sure, nothing is perfect and yes you can change your mind and it will cost you more and it could all work out fine in the end. I am not sure that overthinking is the right word but my opinion is coloured by my experiences helping builders when they have allowed owners to make too many changes, allowed them to bring their contractors and usually have been shortchanged about it. Variations are no earner for the builder, the time they spend tending you they could run another job for more profit. Lets say your kitchen in the contract is valued $25000 and the builders profit is $5000, If you remove the kitchen you should only get $20,000 credit because the builder is entitled to make his profit. So yes you will be charged that plus who is going to do your kitchen? The builder does not have to let anyone else on site, and should not because then there would be two builders on the job, him and you. Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Removing items from contract 7Jul 28, 2023 3:27 pm building-expert Sure, nothing is perfect and yes you can change your mind and it will cost you more and it could all work out fine in the end. I am not sure that overthinking is the right word but my opinion is coloured by my experiences helping builders when they have allowed owners to make too many changes, allowed them to bring their contractors and usually have been shortchanged about it. Variations are no earner for the builder, the time they spend tending you they could run another job for more profit. Lets say your kitchen in the contract is valued $25000 and the builders profit is $5000, If you remove the kitchen you should only get $20,000 credit because the builder is entitled to make his profit. So yes you will be charged that plus who is going to do your kitchen? The builder does not have to let anyone else on site, and should not because then there would be two builders on the job, him and you. Thank you for your reply. Yes maybe the word overthinking was not the right word. I didn’t mean it like that. Sorry if you thought I was rude or anything. Thanks for the example. This is the type of information that I need so that I am aware. I know they will try to sting me somewhere else. They tried to sting me with $12k then changed their mind.This is my first time build so I’m clueless of things. I do really appreciate your reply as it has definitely made it helpful for me. Re: Removing items from contract 8Jul 28, 2023 6:36 pm The best advice is for you to get a competent building consultant to guide you through your build Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog The significant date is when receive final payment invoice Check that section of contract Bit of fluff by builders prior to that 1 16071 You talk about deletions, are they variations or PS and PC adjustments? pleas list them 1 16903 6 11442 |