Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Apr 20, 2009 11:10 am This is a lengthy one and I must apologise. I got the builder to explain the steps of preliminary stage to me and he did so, with a list of items and a cost: "The soil test is part of Preliminary Agreement No. 2 ($2160-00) and is required to do the engineering. The engineering needs to be done before the final plan is priced. The Final plan must go to the engineer with the soil test to work out the bracing, slab, footings and retaining wall details so they can be priced along with the house. Once you have finalised the plan, I must then produce the full working drawings which go to the Soil tester as the tests need to be carried out in the areas specific to the house layout. Once the soil test is done, it then along with the full working drawings goes to the engineer for his design of required structures (slabs, footings, bracing, joists, retaining walls etc) and certification. Once I receive those details back they go on the plan for it to be priced. Pricing cannot be done under BSA legislation until all the prior steps are taken.. hence why we need Preliminary Agreement 2 signed and paid." Independent Soil Test & Compaction Report Dig to base of footings for compaction Report (if required) Working Drawings © Engineer Design & Certification Administration, Specification, Contract Preparation and Costing. Total $2160 Then when I re-confirmed that this total of $2160 will bring me to fixed price stage he then came back with an additional $1250 and a new total: Contour Plan and Levels (On-ground or Height Issues) additional $1250 Total $3410 I then questioned why this was not explained in the first email and he sent me an apologetic email with this reason: "the certifier who mentioned that as you are removing the house the boundary’s and contours are required for accurate set out of the proposed house. At the time that I sent you the email on the 14th , on previous jobs and submissions to the certifier the Site survey and contours haven’t been required but because of a number of homes being built in the incorrect position and to illegal heights they require the additional details. My apologies for not mentioning additional cost but it was not a regular addition to Prelim 2 (mainly only for height issues) and I didn’t anticipate the certifier requiring the additional details. At $3410 Preliminary Agreement 2 will take you to a full fixed price contract which will be ready for certification and construction." To those of you with experience does this sound like a valid reason and is ok to persue, and secondly what do you think of $3410 as a preliminary agreement to get all those items done to get me to fixed price? Many thanks. I know this is lengthy but appreciate those who are able to provide some feedback and reassurance. Re: Prelim agreemt - i need someone to tell me if this is right 3Apr 20, 2009 12:50 pm The price sounds resonable, but I would ensure that if you decide not to proceed with the particular builder, then the soil test, contour survey, etc are your property to re-use later. Once the builder starts taking money from you they begin to lock you in. A little here, a little there and before you know it you're stuck with them. Builders like this since there is no need to be compertative. Keep them on their toes. While you're at it, negotiate the build time and Liquidated Damages amount in case they go over time. Do this and have the figures in writing before you hand over any money. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Prelim agreemt - i need someone to tell me if this is right 4Apr 20, 2009 8:20 pm Many thanks Andrew and Casa. another question then would be: I know you mentioned the soil test and contour survey reports are mine to keep, however would the working plans be mine to keep as well? Because I would have paid for all of this to be done, do the plans belong to me hence I would be able to take it to another builder for construction - would i be faced with a copyright issue? Hi All, We signed a prelim agreement last year (May 2022) and paid deposit to a builder. However, we didn't go ahead with them and never signed a contract. We ended going… 0 2312 I'm putting a new floor in my kitchen, slate flagging on a standard concrete slab. I have allowed for a bed thickness of up to 20mm to accommodate the different… 0 17543 They using concrete or timber sleepers? Timber or steel uprights? Any drainage behind sleeper? 3 5895 |