Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jan 06, 2009 1:30 pm Hi,
We are building the Monaco 32 with Carlisle. A very good idea for a change to the plans was posted (swap pantry and fridge positions and expand the pantry) so we sought advice from Carlisle as to the cost. We were aware that the contract imposes a $500 variation fee for variations but were willing to pay it. Carlisle have come back to us (through our liaison officer) that they do not permit any variation at all after construction has commenced. Has anyone done a variation with Carlisle after construction has commenced? What is the situation with other builders? Are such variations permitted? I'm quite happy to argue the point with the manager at Carlisle but just want some further experiences before I go back to them. Dale. Building the Monaco 32 with Carlisle Check out our blog for photos and details: http://www.beigefreehouse.blogspot.com . Re: Carlisle or other: Variation after construction starts 2Jan 06, 2009 2:54 pm Hi,
Sorry I'm of no help to you in this situation, but I just wanted to ask how you planned on expanding the pantry with the laundry behind? Thanks. Idiots are fun, that's why there is one in every village! - Dr. House - Re: Carlisle or other: Variation after construction starts 3Jan 06, 2009 3:05 pm We had hoped to widen the pantry to make it have 3 doors instead of the standard 2. The fridge would be swapped with the pantry so that the fridge is not too far away from the main kitchen. So it wouldn't protrude into the laundry but the wall between the kitchen and laundry would be made a little longer.
Hope that makes sense. Dale. Re: Carlisle or other: Variation after construction starts 4Jan 06, 2009 3:19 pm Dale Hi, We are building the Monaco 32 with Carlisle. A very good idea for a change to the plans was posted (swap pantry and fridge positions and expand the pantry) so we sought advice from Carlisle as to the cost. We were aware that the contract imposes a $500 variation fee for variations but were willing to pay it. Carlisle have come back to us (through our liaison officer) that they do not permit any variation at all after construction has commenced. Has anyone done a variation with Carlisle after construction has commenced? What is the situation with other builders? Are such variations permitted? I'm quite happy to argue the point with the manager at Carlisle but just want some further experiences before I go back to them. Dale. I wanted to change the mortar joint, from rolled to raked, told me it was going to be a variation fee of $500 and it would need to be approved by the construction manager, told them to go jump. Any thing that ended up with the construction manger, generally was always an issue. I did have one win in regards to the height of a door (2 doors at right angles, both different heights, and neither them or I picked it up at contract), they weren't going to change it because that is how it is in the plans, I started reading the client liason officer their own spiel off their web site about not being a big impersonal builder, and that they are real people like you, and they are there to build the home off our dreams, well I finally got that change through, had to keep at them though, I was advised by someone there though, that it I got a no answer back, to put it in writing and send it though, as they have a lot harder time saying no if it is in writing, you just need to keep on their back about it. I think from memory I was reading jensta's blog http://themiddleofourstreet.blogspot.com/ they added a sliding door with a post contract variation, so they do it. They will do basically anything at tender stage, after signing though, they are a bit harder to deal with. Mal Re: Carlisle or other: Variation after construction starts 5Jan 06, 2009 3:20 pm Dale We had hoped to widen the pantry to make it have 3 doors instead of the standard 2. The fridge would be swapped with the pantry so that the fridge is not too far away from the main kitchen. So it wouldn't protrude into the laundry but the wall between the kitchen and laundry would be made a little longer. Hope that makes sense. Dale. Yes thats exactly how we did it, just means the entry into the laundry is a little longer. Re: Carlisle or other: Variation after construction starts 6Jan 06, 2009 3:22 pm Thanks - will put something in writing to them - just used email at this stage but will fax the general manager and see how that goes.
Dale. Building the Monaco 32 with Carlisle Homes Check out our blog for photos and progress reports: http://www.beigefreehouse.blogspot.com . Re: Carlisle or other: Variation after construction starts 7Jan 06, 2009 3:57 pm Thanks Mal.
One thing forgot to ask - which office are you going through - we are going through the Sunshine office. Also how much did they charge you to make the pantry bigger just so they don't try and rip us off and get away without giving a sensible price. Dale. Building the Monaco 32 with Carlisle Homes Check out our blog for photos and progress reports: http://www.beigefreehouse.blogspot.com . Re: Carlisle or other: Variation after construction starts 8Jan 06, 2009 5:26 pm No problems Dale.
We are through the Sunshine office as well. The pantry change was $573. I wouldn't hold my breath that yours is the same. The estimators just seem to pluck a figure from the air. I think they just use a random number generator, not that it ever seems to work in your favour Re: Carlisle or other: Variation after construction starts 9Jan 07, 2009 8:38 am Thanks for the information.
I have now formally written to Carlisle requesting the variation and will see what happens. I'll keep you all posted as to the outcome. Dale. Building the Monaco 32 with Carlisle Homes Check out our blog for photos and progress reports: http://www.beigefreehouse.blogspot.com . Re: Carlisle or other: Variation after construction starts 10Jan 08, 2009 10:20 am Hi all,
We just got a reply from our CLE which I have copied below. I guess all we can do now is take it up with the owner and directors. It has to be sorted soon as will require one of the walls to be slightly extended (an internal one) and framing won't be too far away. Of course one of their objections in terms of time periods is not valid - they are entitled to extend the build time if required when you make a variation. Dale. Formal Contract variation request [SEC=UNOFFICIAL] Dear Dale, Thank you for your email. I have taken your request to the Operations Manager who has in turn taken your request to our General Manager. I have been advised that this variation request will not be accepted as it is not possible at this stage of the Building process. The $500.00 variation relates to changes requested once contract documents are prepared. Since then we have gone through your contract and addressed any changes that you have required. From there we have created Final Plans to reflect the requested changes and confirmed that the plans are correct. We have also advised that these are the plans we build your home from. All orders have been placed and the authorised final plans have been distributed to all of suppliers working on your home. We have committed to you a set build time frame as per the Housing Industry Association Contract and to ensure we meet this commitment we do not allow changes during construction process. Kind Regards . Building the Monaco 32 with Carlisle Homes Check out our blog for photos and progress reports: http://www.beigefreehouse.blogspot.com . Re: Carlisle or other: Variation after construction starts 11Jan 08, 2009 10:58 am it could be the changes planned might affect the house structurally, and a new building license and plans are to be submitted to the local council for approval. Re: Carlisle or other: Variation after construction starts 12Jan 08, 2009 2:43 pm Hi again,
I have now received a phone call from the operations manager who very nicely explained Carlisle's reasoning and decision. Whilst I would really like the decision to be otherwise I can appreciate their point of view. She said essentially that based on experience if they allow a post construction variation something will inevitably go wrong. There are many suppliers involved, framers, plasterers, painters etc etc and all have copies of plans and specs. Based on experience some will not follow the new plans or mistake a new set being sent to them as just another copy of the old set - basically if it can go wrong it does. So they don't want variations as they want to build the house properly. I guess the lesson from this is that people building their house should put their plans up on this forum for comment and critique before they finalise them. You may get given a really good idea! Thanks, Dale. Building the Monaco 32 with Carlisle Homes Check out our blog for photos and progress reports: http://www.beigefreehouse.blogspot.com . Re: Carlisle or other: Variation after construction starts 13Jan 12, 2009 6:29 pm Sorry to hear that they can't change it for you, but they have very good reasons too I suppose. You don't want to find out lots of things go wrong down the track just because the tradies don't read the new plan properly. Re: Carlisle or other: Variation after construction starts 14Jan 13, 2009 8:32 am We had a similar situation (timing-wise) with M3tricon when we wanted to add eaves to the rear of our property only days before the slab was due to be poured. Because we'd been trying to add those eaves for almost six months, they eventually let us do it--but it hasn't affected anything inside the house.
I can certainly see why they would want to make sure everything was simple and completely signed off before they started though. You can see how many things go wrong when there aren't any last-minute changes. Sounds like they are actually thinking of you at the same time they are thinking of themselves (for once). Everything I know, I learned from SBS. LATEST: Frame Complete http://metricon-mercer.livejournal.com 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 37085 Depends what you're current inclusions are, but we're not including wardrobes and will just use second hand ones until we can save later on to get them built. Also have a… 3 11596 I can help you with all that, you can PM me with details if you wish 3 5821 |