Hi
We are having real trouble choosing a builder to build our first home. We're already on our second builder and have already lost $1000 for switching builders. Now our current builder is becoming a nightmare to deal with and we're contemplating switching again.
Our problem is we're confused, our first builder was a small builder, we were happy with the plan but colour selection was extremely poor, and hidden costs started becoming aparrent at contract signing. When we approached the builder about the issues he was *extremely* rude (didn't even bother hear us out) and we walked away.
Our current builder is one of the big builders, we had our contract shown to us on saturday. The contract was an absolute disgrace, riddled with errors (street name was the most obvious), drawings not complete (not showing or incorrectly showing all but 2 of the changes originally requested at quoting stage) ,our garden shrunk by 1.8m down to 6.3 meters because it was incorrectly sited in the first place and original quoted price varied for a reason which could not be explained to us. All we got was "That was an estimate" even though I ensured that the prices we were quoted were 'final' and the sales guy assured me they were, quoting: "If the prices change from this quote we wear the cost". I argued the fact that I was not paying that price or signing the contract until it was final, with all changes, modifications, additions, and alterations show in both the drawings and contract. I was told that they use post contract variations to fix these and that we should sign. After I made it VERY clear that I was not going to be signing I was told "Well thats the process, we're done here, You can call the manager on Monday". The contracts we're snatched away and it was all over. We couldn't even take them home to continue ripping apart in our own time.
Anyways, as far as I am aware a post contract variation is signed if changes are made AFTER the contract has been signed and not to FIX problems with the contract before it has been signed. Am I correct in thinking this?
Also I am within my right to take the contract with me and have it read by a solicitor before signing it. This big builder IS ******* and I need to make sure I'm not going to get screwed by signing this 'contract'. Is this correct?
At the end of the day, the big builder's practices seem extremely questionable, staff seem dishonest and nobody can give me a straight answer. Contact from the builder since saturday has been minimal with no assurance that these problems are going to be fixed: "I'll have a look at it" is all I've got out of them. No commitment and no accountability.
Getting to the point, we are going to pull out unless by some miracle they come back with final plans and contract plus a large sum of compensation for the fact we will be signing 2 weeks short of July 1st and they will not put it off until then without charging us extra $5000. This leaves us with the seemingly imposible task of finding a builder who can actually make it past contract and build a house.
We've spent hours looking at the forums and reviews of builders but we're confused and scared to go through the hassle and expense again only to find the same or worse problems. Can ANYBODY recommend a builder who can get the bloody job done? Any advice is also welcome. Our next step is to sell this foresaken block and buy an established house