Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Mar 21, 2010 9:03 am Anyone received Building Variations ? (when you though everything was finally final) eg: 1. Re Ceiling Insulation Contract Specification documents says "provide ceiling batts as per standard inclusions" The Standard Inclusion List says "ceiling batts to achieve minimum 5 star rating" Contract drawings say "R3.5 to Ceiling" Now there is a building variation which says: "Provide R2.5 in lieu of R3.5 as per 5 star energy report" Does this sounds OKAY? Should the builder be changing things like this after everything is final. (Also we have R1.5 in Walls - does that sounds okay?) 2. We selected a Timber Door for Balcony (this was standard) Now the Building variation says "Provide Aluminium Balcony Door" ?? Are such things normal ???? (BTW would you prefer a Aluminium Sliding or a Timber Sliding in our balcony.. maintenance wise I guess Aluminium would be better.. isn't it ?) Would appreciate any advise plz. TA Re: Post Contract Variations - and now Building Variations ? 2Mar 21, 2010 9:44 am Hi, It looks like you had nothing to do with initiating these variations. If so, you have the right to refuse them, BUT check what your contract says. In regards to var1: I wouldn't be downgrading my insulation. If anything, I'd be upgrading it. 5-star energy report - I suppose nothing stops you or the builder to exceed the 5-star, but they must not go below it. So, I would inquire what is this about and would refuse this Var. Is there a cost refund for this downgrade? You didn't want to say which part of AUS are you building, so it's very hard to say if R1.5 is OK or not (it depends on the local climate). I am not sure about var2, as I wasn't really aware that there is such thing as 'timber sliding door'. Google or a call to several door/window suppliers and manufacturers should help you to figure it out. My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Post Contract Variations - and now Building Variations ? 3Mar 21, 2010 3:19 pm I would be rejecting both variations. The first variation in particular is a significant downgrade. Just tell them, thanks for the variation request, but I'm happy the way it is in the contract. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Post Contract Variations - and now Building Variations ? 5Mar 21, 2010 5:11 pm Thanks for the replies guys ! The only place I have been able to find this documented is on the drawings (where it says R3.5 Insulation to Ceilings) It is not mentioned in Standard Inclusions It is not mentioned in Contract Specification Document They say it is 'as per 5 star energy report' Is this report a 3rd party recommendations as to what should be used to achieve 5 star energy ratings ? What is this report and do we get a copy of this ? Contract drawings say R3.5 (even Council Approved drawings do say R3.5) Can it be a genuine 'drafting' error, and only R2.5 may be required ? Re: Post Contract Variations - and now Building Variations ? 6Mar 21, 2010 6:38 pm We had a few building variations, but they were due to things like a tile being discontinued (and we were asked to choose a new one)... I like Casa2's suggested response You'd better read what your contract documentation says about the 5-star rating though. It may mention something like "minimum to satisfy 5-star rating requirements", in which case you might have to accept the insulation change. The door though - if you prefer a timber door, stick to your guns. It seems very clear to me that your contract states that a security account does NOT need to be established so the answer to the builder is NO. If in doubt find a contract… 1 8505 So AFAIk the outcomes of the BAL ratings form part of a clause that allows them to pass these costs on to you. However the more relevant detail is how did it go from 19… 1 9153 You talk about deletions, are they variations or PS and PC adjustments? pleas list them 1 16548 |