From the original post I said:
My inspector sent me an email to follow up on the progress. I told him about my frustration with my SS's attitude, and decided to get him involved again. Had to call to inform my SS. He must have found it unexpected and tried to explain 'what we normally do is blah blah...' The bottom line is that he can't refuse so I simply said yes I understand but I will bring my inspector nonetheless. SS didn't sound too excited.
thoughts:
Had my SS been someone who took the initiative to read the report, I would not get my inspector involved again. From the sound of it, he'll probably start doing his homework on the report now. Why do I have to get an inspector for my SS to show the respect I deserved?!
For the settlement delay, I'm trying to find anything that could indicate a site start date. I was sure that they had gone over time but didn't plan to press for compensation. Now that I've realised things don't work when I'm being patient and polite... Will bring this issue up to my SS and see what he says.
Original post:
Here's my building experience with PD. Please feel free to give me any advice. (Had I discovered this forum earlier, life would have been much better...) Sorry for the long message but I don't realy know how to put my frustration/confusion together in a brief.. My questions are in blue by the way.
My house and the house next door have been going through the same progress, but somehow theirs got completed about a month ago. I have been checking my house every now and then but can't see many changes happening. I have been polite and patient throughout the build, never pushed my CSCs for the progress. (My mistake off course) Had the naive idea that they have no reason to stall the process. The only person who has been consistent with communication from PD is the Accounts Receivable(AR) lady.
Now that time's running out, they try to rush the PCI/Handover, even with lots of cosmetic defects, as discovered by a private inspector.
So far into my build, I have had 2 different CSCs and after the last one, I'm now dealing with a BC-Building Coordinator.
Had a fair share of frustration trying to communicate with my BC, who would NOT call me back two weeks in a row. So I had to ask AR for BC's email. Sent a email saying that it'd be great to receive information one way or the other (if you have a problem with answering the phone then a quick email reply would be appreciated) but got NO reply . However on the same day, I got asked by my SS for a walk-through(which is apprarently the PCI).
On the PCI day, I brought along a private inspector because of the way PD had been treating me and my build. SS said there's no point in having a private inspection and CPI at the same time. (Is this reasonable?)I waited for my inspection report and asked BC to pass it on to SS . Again, got NO reply. So I waited for a day before making the call. BC:"oh yes, I just had a look at my email. Yes I just sent it to your SS."
AR lady told me that I would be receiving a letter confirming CPI date and settlement procedure, which I have not a week after the supposed PCI date. BC only explained the procedure over the phone. (Is this acceptable? Is that because they are running out of time, they don't want to put a date down in writing to prove that they are? I think they have already gone over the 186 days in the contract)
Now that SS has asked to arrange another walk-through to go through my inspection report (for some reason they don't like to say its the actual PCI) It sounds as if he would not read the report or fix anything prior to this PCI. My inspector said that from the defects he's discovered, It would take 2 weeks to fix. PD normally do the handover a week after, so there's no chance of them fixing it all before that. I'm worried that SS would promise something like fixing the remaining defects after the handover (which I doubt since they have received the final payment by then) What should I do if SS decides to mess with me? (apology for the word choice, but SS has been changing his words about the PCI within the same call, and I was not given a definite written PCI/Handover Procedure) Can I demand another 'walk-through' right before handover to make sure everything is fixed before I pay?
I understand that there's a 3 months warranty but there seems to be a lot of posts about builders taking forever to respond within that period. Also from what they are doing to me now, I have massive doubts about the promises they make for the warranty period.
This is my first house, have nil experience with building. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you for your time!