Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Nov 03, 2008 10:40 am I know this topic has been on for so many times. But our builder seems to be getting siphoning cash from us from site works.
Our site cost is estimated to be 10k. Flat block. Original estimate of 300mm site fall. Then, when site scape comes, it was discovered that site fall is really 900mm. With this, additional costs came for cut-fill, soil excavation and concrete pump. Cut-fill = 1.5k (builder shouldered this to "help" us out) Soil excavation = 1.6k Concrete pump = 1.4k (the trucks stayed longer on site and builder is charging us for this!! is this reasonable and should we pay for this?!) Total = 4.5k!!! Then after a few weeks, the builder is asking us what we want to do with the soil and rocks they dig out from our land. Because our neighbor will be building soon and is asking the builder to remove the trash. What?! Isn't this part of the 10k site cost? So for a 900mm site slope with no large rocks, is 10k (+ 4.5k extra) not enough??! Sorry for the rant. Just so stressed \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Re: what's included in the site cost? 2Nov 03, 2008 10:54 am I can't understand why the levels weren't detected during the soil survey which you would have paid for up front. All the levels (contours) were easily readable on our soil survey report which was presented to us before we were given our initial quote. Re: what's included in the site cost? 3Nov 03, 2008 11:24 am There is a site survey done last june or july 2008. Then when the build started, the slope suddenly changed from 300mm to 900mm!!!! \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Re: what's included in the site cost? 4Nov 03, 2008 11:25 am We saw that this is true because the builder met us at the site and showed us how deep the slope was. But how come the site survey was wrong. \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Re: what's included in the site cost? 5Nov 03, 2008 11:33 am If the site survey is wrong, the surveyor should be paying for the extra cost.
BTW, who commisioned the surveyor? Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: what's included in the site cost? 6Nov 03, 2008 11:34 am Maybe its something to take up with whoever did the survey. Given that you proceeded with the deal based on that information and paid for the survey to be accurate, why can't they be held accountable. Surely, they would have professional indemnity insurance.
If they aren't accountable for the accuracy of their reports, then what are they being paid for? I would send them a bill for any additional costs you incurred which resulted from their inaccurate report. Re: what's included in the site cost? 7Nov 03, 2008 12:32 pm Casa2 If the site survey is wrong, the surveyor should be paying for the extra cost. BTW, who commisioned the surveyor? The builder commissioned the surveyor. \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Re: what's included in the site cost? 8Nov 03, 2008 12:35 pm Mel&Em Maybe its something to take up with whoever did the survey. Given that you proceeded with the deal based on that information and paid for the survey to be accurate, why can't they be held accountable. Surely, they would have professional indemnity insurance. If they aren't accountable for the accuracy of their reports, then what are they being paid for? I would send them a bill for any additional costs you incurred which resulted from their inaccurate report. I think you guys are right. I'll talk to the builder with that option as well. This issue is stressing me out so much. Because we are in the builder phase where we can't backout anymore. And whatever the builder would charge, we just have to shoulder it. \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Re: what's included in the site cost? 9Nov 03, 2008 12:56 pm You shouldn't have to shoulder it. It appears as though you are being asked to pay for someone else's mistake. This is precisely what professional indemnity insurance is for. Take it up with the surveyor. Re: what's included in the site cost? 10Nov 03, 2008 1:20 pm Thanks Mel&Em and Casa. Hope this turns out to be a happy ending.
I just realized why building can be so difficult and stressful. Its because so many things can go wrong and the owner ends up paying for all the mistakes of other people. \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Re: what's included in the site cost? 11Nov 03, 2008 6:43 pm Bloody hell how can we stop such stupidity. I canot believe as an architect that this stupidity onsite still happens.
the builder is ultimately responsible for any errors onsite, he will simply claim against the surveyor who will then claim on his insurance. But I suspect there is more to it than this, In 22 years in the industry havn't heard of a incorrect survey. Get copy of the survey, was it a proper survey of your site only or one of those master plan surveys of the estate. Why didn't the draftsperson pick it up, and for goodness sake how does someone miss a 900mm fall onsite, the builder should have plenty of experience to read the fall onsite. . As for all the other stuff regarding soil removal, rock etc, that should of been worked out prior to signing contracts whether its just one truck of excess soil or 100 trucks all contracts will have clauses for removal of soil no matter what. But get hold of that survey and let us know. Re: what's included in the site cost? 12Nov 03, 2008 6:53 pm Sounds like the builder turned a blind eye on the error on the fall, so they can make a huge profit by routing you.
The builder (and their surveyor) made the mistake - they should pay for it. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: what's included in the site cost? 13Nov 14, 2008 11:30 am Thanks for your responses guys.
We are still awaiting for the site survey from the builder. 2 weeks already. If we prove that the site survey was not done properly, the builder will hear from us. \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ hey there! π so, itβs kinda common for standard drawer depths to be around 500mm since most cabinets use this size to fit the usual runners… 3 20922 We were lucky in that our old house was so small (86 square metres) compared to the new house, they were able to take enough readings around the old backyard house before… 8 37160 Thanks for the insight! My plot is a new development so hopefully I won't have too much problem during build as everyone should be roughly building together. I also… 2 3381 |