Browse Forums Building A New House 1 May 06, 2009 3:02 pm Hi all Im considering a quote from a project builder. This company farms the contracts out to a group of builders. I want to meet the builder before I sign a contract. This is being discouraged by the company, they want me to sign the contract first then meet the builder on site to ask any questions I have. (It’s obvious who Im building with hey). My point is what say do I have as to the specification of my home ? I would like to have 450 stud centres & double top plate. I was told all frames are done on a computer and they could be 600 & a single top plate. This is not what the sales people told me. Do I have any say in the building of my home? Do I take what they tell me Im having or can I tell the builder what I want? If Im told they will be 450mm centres would it be best to put in the contract, is there any space for special requirements on a contract. I feel its my money and if they want some of it it’s "my way or the high way". Whats you’re thoughts on this ? Would you demand to meet the builder before signing up and request the 450 centres.. Is it practical to talk to the builder to sort this out first and insist on it in the contract? Help required ASAP as I have to get to contract soon. Thanks heap folks. Regards KW........... “It's just as unpleasant to get more than you bargain for as to get less” George Bernard Shaw. Re: Building with a project builder, What say do I get ??? 2May 06, 2009 11:38 pm If it's not in the contract you have NO SAY! You are effectively dealing with 2 separate party and it will get nasty when it comes time who said what. Our experience (and many others) dealing with one party (different people from same builder) is bad enough as is. Re: Building with a project builder, What say do I get ??? 3May 07, 2009 12:09 am You don't get a say... unless you are Chuck Norris and in that case the contract is void and you say what goes at all times. Re: Building with a project builder, What say do I get ??? 4May 07, 2009 12:11 am You certainly have a say on everything, just depend on how flexible the builder is. Don't forget that everything you change means an excellent chance for the builder to charge you extra. so make sure what you change is really worth the extra $. If they don't allow you to change, as long as you haven't sign the contract, you can just walk away, it's your money! Also, the sales will promise almost everything you asked just to get your business. The trick is - if it's not written down in the contract it doesn't count! I have seen a few cases like this already, sales promised lots of things, but either forgotten or purposely, not written in the contract. Unfortunately not everyone is really good at remembering and double checking all the details when signing contract, it was never pick up, until the handover day, then there's the argument and as it's not written in the contract, the owner can't do anything about it... so for every question you asked, write it down, double check to make sure it's included in the contract with the correct desciption and figure as promised. If it's written in jorgon which you don't understand, ask for explanation in plain english and ask for photos or other ways so that you can understand, and keep it as prove in case needed in the future. It might sound dumb to ask silly/simple questions again and again, or even double check it with other builders, trust me, you will feel even more dumb if the result wasn't what you expected on hand-over day... Re: Building with a project builder, What say do I get ??? 5May 07, 2009 12:18 am All builders must follow the Australian Building standards for any residential/commercial buildings. More likely you get no "SAY", unless your "SAY" is within the standards, and the builder not doing the right things according to the standards. Re: Building with a project builder, What say do I get ??? 6May 07, 2009 12:58 am I would have thought whether you have a say or not comes down to the builder (ie. the franchisor! in your case) and that's that. So if they say no, then you have the choice to walk. If they say yes (in writing!) and then they refuse, you have legal rights. You need to decide whether this is the kind of builder to suit you. They do suit some people, but not everyone. I would def never go with a company like yours - I don't see any real flexibility with a company of that kind of structure. Good luck and let us know how you go! Annie A thankful person is a happy person. [/color]My hobby design blog: http://aviewondesign.blogspot.com/ Re: Building with a project builder, What say do I get ??? 7May 07, 2009 1:19 am "Chuck Norris" Yes of course, but I think he built with Porter Davis. Lol Just finished a week of bull Sh#t with the sales people. Getting every thing in the quote in writing as INCLUDED . “It will be put in latter” or “yes you get that” and “yes you get that as well” was not on for me and man it was like pulling teeth. I got those 450 centres put in writing as well, it will make up part of the specs. I got all the promises put in, well, most of them. Building our first home, Im with you all the way mate. Every thing is a negotiation, an agreement. If we don’t agree then I don’t go ahead. However, I am building a project home at a low price, well, lower than most. You get what you pay for and you are 150% correct as soon as I mentioned I wanted to change something “well we can do that but it will be an extra” an extra for this an extra for that. Purchase have more power than they think in this building game and they should voice their opinion as to why should they pay more. Not just pay it. I feel you should get as many of the promise included in the preliminary quote as you can. As I have found if you leave it till contract it is likely they have already hit you up for more money to get drawings done, and you stand to loose more if you walk away just before contract stage. Cheers to all KW.......... “It's just as unpleasant to get more than you bargain for as to get less” George Bernard Shaw. 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