Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jul 19, 2011 12:00 pm Hi there, We went to one of the Home Shows earlier this year (Melb) and came across a builder, shall we say Builder A that was advertising homes I'd seen previously on another website and had liked - Builder B. We had a chat and he said he used to work for that company and was the actual designer of the homes, but the lady who owned Builder B was winding down the business and he'd decided to go out on his own and continue to build the same homes. We had him come out to our block and see what we could do with it, gave him our wishlist, and were debating whether to go ahead with him. On the weekend in the Herald Sun, I saw a CURRENT advert for Builder B. So evidently they are not winding down at all. I decided to give them a call and see what was going on. Once I started explaining, the lady (sales?) said she would get the owner to give me a call. The owner called within 10 minutes and basically said that what Builder A had said is incorrect - they are not winding down at all, he just decided to go out on his own. I asked who's actual designs are they, and she said they are his designs BUT he has been paid for them and she now owns the copy right. She didn't mention a 'dispute' but the sales lady I spoke to first did. Builder B said that they've been building the homes for 10 years whereas Builder A is only a designer not a builder, and has employed his own builders with no experience building the designs. She offered for myself and hubby to come and have a chat to her and they'd be happy to help us out. Well obviously I now trust Builder A no further than I can throw him, so he's off the list. But there's still a bit of hesitancy with B, in terms of the so called dispute with the designs. What happens if she loses? Wouldn't want to be stuck with no house after paying $$. What are people's thoughts? My Hamptons build (completed): viewtopic.php?f=31&t=63370 Moved in Wednesday 11th Dec 2013 Front landscaping completed June 2016 Re: Advice re: 2 companies building the same designs 2Jul 19, 2011 3:02 pm I can't say for sure what the legalities are over in Vic, but in WA if a designer is paid a salary by the company he works for, the copyright of the design is owned by the company. However if he is only a contracting designer who contracts to the building company, the designer alway owns the copyright of the design even if he has been paid for it, and he is within rights to use that design for any company he likes. So if it is the same over there, it will probably depend on what capacity he was employed. Re: Advice re: 2 companies building the same designs 3Jul 19, 2011 4:48 pm Thanks CA3105, it is certainly a tough one. I just know I'd rather not be the meat in the sandwich! Such a shame as the homes were lovely!! I'm not sure of the capacity he was employed either, might have to ask a few more q's if we want to pursue it. My Hamptons build (completed): viewtopic.php?f=31&t=63370 Moved in Wednesday 11th Dec 2013 Front landscaping completed June 2016 Would anyone on this forum know of a builder/company in Brisbane with house designs for a shallow block. I have a block 20 x 20 so with front and rear set backs I need a… 0 4743 Your best bet might be to go visit the display homes and walk around in them, and take photos. Get a feel for it in person instead of deciding from the floor plan. There… 1 21437 Versaloc is a mortarless besser block system that still needs a properly engineered footing. If you just do a 400x200 footing it will fail in time. At 17m long you need it… 1 17864 |