Browse Forums Building A New House Re: No to private inspection and no references 21Nov 12, 2007 11:46 am oznow,
I don't think a builder can stop you from using a building inspector. How can they? Before you make any progress payment you (and maybe even the bank) will want to check that everything up to that stage is complete and correct. If you bring a building inspector along, they can do a more formal inspection. If the builder is being this difficult before you have signed a contract, what will he be like after? The people doing the certification are only looking at specific items and do not care about many things. If the proposed builder does not know the difference between the requirement to check a new car and checking a new house, then I wouldn't trust him to build a car or build a house. Really, the comparison is ridiculous. If you have not signed any contract with the builder then you are free to walk away. Or as some have suggested, run! Any builder that say's that you should trust the builder, should not be trusted. Trust me. Cheers, Casa P.S. Yes Cookiemonster, I'm being facetious Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: No to private inspection and no references 22Nov 12, 2007 12:33 pm Cookiemonster louie At any rate your local council are required by law to inspect the work and do so for free. The local council inspects to ensure the house is built as per the council approved plans. They in no way check the quality of the structure or whether the building adheres to the Building Code of Australia. Are you sure? I always thought the council ensures the builder complies with the building code? Re: No to private inspection and no references 23Nov 12, 2007 12:35 pm ahuang louie At any rate your local council are required by law to inspect the work and do so for free. Not really, if you go with project home builders, most of them hire their own inspector and by pass the council. wow, I had no idea this happened. Nice blog you have, reading it now Re: No to private inspection and no references 24Nov 12, 2007 2:10 pm Just to put into a different perspective
*I have called the MBA in Canberra, and the CS mentioned that it is unusual for home owner to employ a "building certifier" to inspect owner house. *I have talked to other builders who have display houses, all said no problems to have third party inspection, although it is very uncommon practice in ACT. One volume builder also welcome the inspection, although none of his clients this year have employed building certifiers. *Could it be the "building problems" are more prevalent in other states than in ACT? Will update you on the progress/decision by the end of this week. THANKS ALL ozn Re: No to private inspection and no references 25Nov 12, 2007 3:16 pm oznow,
You have learnt two interesting things: 1) The MBA states that it is unusual for home owners to emply a "building certifier" to inspect owner house. 2) Other builders have no problem with third party inspections. Two things I wonder about: 1) Is the builder that you are considering a member of a professional organisation (eg. MBA or HIA)? 2) If so, what does that professional organsiation say is a requiremnt of it's members in relation to third party inspectors? I think it's worth asking your builder if they are a member of a professional association and ask them what is expected of their members. Cheers, Casa Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: No to private inspection and no references 26Nov 12, 2007 4:02 pm oznow *Could it be the "building problems" are more prevalent in other states than in ACT? It could be that all the public servants that live in Canberra that have a higher salary than most may not really care! Re: No to private inspection and no references 27Nov 12, 2007 4:32 pm I thought the council checked for certain requirements they had (eg. we had the building guy from the council come to check some edges around kitchen pipes were covered (flanges?) and to make sure that an internal toilet was vented and little things like that) and general planning requirements had been complied with. But we also had an independent building inspection before our final payment. The inspector even went around with the building supervisor from the building company and it was worth every cent. Firstly we got peace of mind because the report was gnerally good. A few little things we didn't know about were picked up, and were rectified by the builders, and one important structural problem (an electrician partially cut through 3 roof beams so they had to be reinforced) was picked up.
As we know nothing about building we were very glad to have an independent professional check out our house and give it the thumbs up. Re: No to private inspection and no references 28Nov 12, 2007 7:23 pm Don't assume Councils will inspect everything. Building certifiers are responsible for ensuring compliance with the Building Code of Australia and Council inspector generally will not go into that much detail. Re: No to private inspection and no references 29Nov 13, 2007 6:01 am oz,
I understand your pain. The ACT is an interesting place with quirky cultural differences. It does not surprise me that the builder thinks he can tell you that you can't have a private certifier. I called ACTPLA (for non-Canberrans it is the council equivilant in the ACT) and they recommended engaging a private certifier for own peace of mind. I am unsure who you are intending to build with, but I have had feedback on a few builders. If you are interested in my research findings (asking around at work, mates in the industry etc) PM me. Re: No to private inspection and no references 30Nov 13, 2007 6:38 am Whilst I understand there aer issues with some inspectors, I would not be parting with a large volume of money if I didnt feel comfortable, and if that emans an inpsection, I want the right to have one done. I am aware of inspectors being very antio builder, badly behavedand being out of date legislation / building code wise, but I would still want to be able to get an inspoection completed and then sit down with the builder to discuss. Adrian B Re: No to private inspection and no references 31Nov 13, 2007 7:54 am I think we need to be careful with our terms. Is a private certifier the same as a private building inspector?
I know that after your Development Approval, you need to get a Construction Certificate and this can be approved by a Private Certifiying Authority (PCA) or the Local Council. I imagine the PCA will only be looking at compliance with regulatory issues. I imagine the private building inspector will be looking at such things as the finishes and scratches etc. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: No to private inspection and no references 33Nov 13, 2007 3:21 pm You know, thinking about this issue - there is a very simple reason why this builder doesnt want a private inspector checking his work - because he doesnt need your job that badly to inconvenience himself.
People are desperate for builders so he will just move onto the next client who doesnt insist on a private inspector. Re: No to private inspection and no references 34Nov 13, 2007 4:20 pm louie People are desperate for builders so he will just move onto the next client who doesnt insist on a private inspector. From what I understand, in Sydney at least, the building industry is in a bit of slump and builders are fighting for business. Re: No to private inspection and no references 35Nov 13, 2007 7:59 pm Cookiemonster louie People are desperate for builders so he will just move onto the next client who doesnt insist on a private inspector. From what I understand, in Sydney at least, the building industry is in a bit of slump and builders are fighting for business. Lucky SOD. Hopefully it will happen everywhere (sorry builders) Re: No to private inspection and no references 37Nov 14, 2007 5:17 am Are there any Sydney builders that want to move to or work in Canberra?
Getting reliable high quality tradies in Canberra is difficult and when you do find them.....they usually charge a fortune. (There are a few exceptions to this and word or mouth on tradies is quite valuable in Canberra). Ok - will stop venting now. Re: No to private inspection and no references 38Nov 18, 2007 6:28 pm Hi all,
Finally this morning i and wife signed contract with ANOTHER builder which allow us to bring someone else to inspect the house pre handover. We came to this builder about 4-6 months ago but was put off because it quoted quite expensive price (about $15,000 more). I have checked several addresses that the builder has given me, they are all checked out (all highly recommend the builder). Compared to my previous builder, i need to cough out $5000 more, which we think is still within budget, and most importantly peace of mind. The builder used MBA contract and these are some of terms [COULD YOU SEE IF THESE ARE THE NORMS?] - commencement date within 14 days of plan approval - practical completion date is 180 days (24 weeks) after commencement - period of payment of progress claim is SEVEN days - defect/maintenance liability period: 13 weeks - interest rate to late payments: 12% - public liability insurance $5 million - liquadated damages: ZERO (unfortunately he will not nego on this, or house price will need to be adjusted, as he claim has given us considerably "discount") - Builder's margin: 20%. -materials to be supplied by/carried out by owner: owner may install speaker wires. My other question: DO YOU write to the other builders that you decided to build with someone else? Wish the best for me, and will update homeone on the progress. ozn Re: No to private inspection and no references 39Nov 18, 2007 6:34 pm If he goes over the 24 weeks, what compensation have you agreed on? Re: No to private inspection and no references 40Nov 18, 2007 6:50 pm I understand that consequence. This builder said that he never built longer than 6 months. All of his clients said that the building process is compeleted earlier than schedule. We take our chance here, as the builder is also have other two blocks JUST beside our block, and both have started the building process.
Do you see the other terms/conditions as norm? ozn Hi everyone, Looking for some advise. We are about to build an above ground pool in our backyard. There is a private sewer line running under the pool at 1.6m… 0 11731 If you already have a contract, is the inspection cost stated in there? If not they would be forced to issue you a variation which you could of course object to. 12 25848 i would suggest nothing is unreasonable for PCI. we did all sorts, including checking the hot water, checking all the GPO's had power, testing that the showers were… 9 98623 |