Things you forget - summary page 32

tstr1a · Jun 02, 2011 9:23 pm

suziz3

Thanks SK! good idea

The other thing we did 8yrs ago was get the Ind build inspector on the final visit. We pretended he was thru the bank and they wouldnt release funds until everything was fixed prior to handover..it worked.AVJ went and fixed the whole list before we gave them the final check. We didnt need anything fixed after that even 8yrs later nothing...best thing ever. Once you pay they ignore your calls etc...a PITA!!!

good tip

bellbirdretreat · Jun 20, 2011 11:07 am

One thing that we are kicking ourselves for is not paying much attention to where the bedroom windows overlook.

In our case we are only really using 1 bedroom so focussed on that but now that we are in construction phase we realised that we could have easily relocated the window in one of the other bedrooms to overlook some nice bushland instead of the neighbours property

Oh well, one for the lessons learned....

Jervisbay · Jun 20, 2011 3:42 pm

We would have loved to have small alcoves in the showers where to put shampoos and soap. We forgot about that and now bottles of shampoo end up on the shower floor.

There are so many things to think about that it seems like impossible to not forget something.

Casa2 · Jun 20, 2011 10:50 pm

You can get very nice glass shelves.

Jervisbay · Jun 21, 2011 11:53 am

Thanks Casa for the suggestion. Would you have a website in mind you could point us to? We would be interested to check out what's available out there.

We were also thinking about installing shelves. We haven't done so as we have porcelain tiles on the walls and drilling holes in these would require a special drill bit that we don't have.

Will make sure not to forget about these things next time ;-)

Casa2 · Jun 21, 2011 1:32 pm

I used the Scala glass shelf from Reece (http://www.reece.com.au/bathrooms/products/2261358). Comes in 304 and 455 width (maybe others).

ourpeace · Jun 21, 2011 10:40 pm

We will be building in the near future and have previously built a project home. We learnt a few things then that we don't wish to repeat again this time.
1. make sure your corner kitchen cupboards are accessible ie wide enough so that your shoulders can fit in to reach things at the back. There are alot of great corner options out there now, I like the idea of draws.
2. we had split level with just 5 steps. Make sure the builder does brick stairs if you are tiling as you can't tile wooden stairs, we knew this but the builder refused to put bricks and after handover we had to rip them out and brick them ourselves which caused some damage to surrounding paintwork, they wouldn't even allow us to come in at the time.

Jervisbay · Jun 22, 2011 2:41 pm

Casa2

I used the Scala glass shelf from Reece (http://www.reece.com.au/bathrooms/products/2261358). Comes in 304 and 455 width (maybe others).

These glass shelves look nice indeed. Will surely check them out at the store. Thanks for the link.

williams2111 · Jun 24, 2011 11:24 pm

This is a fantastic list.
We are waiting for our block to title, and are starting to think about houses, so this is going to be an invaluable thread.
Thanks and well done!

docker_rob · Jun 29, 2011 11:35 pm

One very important thing I forgot to add last post was at the end of your build, prior to final inspection check your provisional Sums and ask your builder to confirm the final PS costings. Query them on it and ask to see a breakdown of invoices for the PS work performed.

In your contract you will have a figure of $'000's for provisional sums. Normally for earthworks and other things they arent 100% sure of before starting work so it is a provisional figure. The builder if asked, is supposed to provide you a breakdown of where this money was spent at completion of the contract - (Including showing you invoices for the work if your request) . Normally it is invoice cost plus a markup of a certain % for the builder (The % will be listed in your contract.)

However 99% of builders wont say anything and just keep the unspent money as profit. :n:

But if you ask for clarification of any or all of the PS figures, they are legally obliged to go through the billing and provide you with copies of any work performed. Any amounts not billed or less than the PS figure they have to refund to you in full.

Things like Concrete pumps are sometimes billed and never used, earthworks often under the sums quoted.

I have my PC Inspection this week and asked them yesterday to confirm the PS which was listed as $14,076 in costs. Of that total they came back straight away and said yes we owe you $3500 and will credit that to me. (Would never have happened if I did not push them)

There is another $2500 I am disputing and asking to see receipts for. If they cant show me invoicing then they have to refund me that money also. So make sure you ask to see a detailed breakdown with copies of invoices as that is your right.

Most people forget in the excitement to get the keys, but if you like money as much as I do make sure you ask :-)

Jervisbay · Jun 29, 2011 11:56 pm

docker_rob

I have my Inspection handover this week and asked them yesterday to confirm the PS which was listed as $14,076 in costs. Of that total they came back straight away and said yes we owe you $3500 and will credit that to me straight away.

That's a nice sum Rob. I'd rather have it in my bank for sure ;-)

Well done mate!

ben/melissa · Jun 30, 2011 12:47 am

This thread is so helpful, as soon as we think of somthing new will post it.

Thanks to contributors

kiwi · Jun 30, 2011 9:37 pm

dont forget the homeone gathering
viewtopic.php?f=36&t=49073

the sequel!!!

ann81 · Jul 02, 2011 9:00 pm

Great tip Rob! I will be asking that when we finally build. imagine how much money they are ending up with!

Testedbytime · Jul 02, 2011 11:15 pm

Thanks everyone!!!

alan1237 · Jul 21, 2011 5:47 pm

Just wondering if in Master Ensuite is it supposed to have privacy lock on door? (I mean is it compulsory in Victorian regulations?)

tstr1a · Jul 21, 2011 5:53 pm

This is a really good thread about things no to forget for your build. Here is my two cents worth.

Wear gumboots before going to your site.. LOL otherwise you will wreck your shoes.

alt0160 · Jul 21, 2011 7:22 pm

@docker_rob: great suggestion, i hope i dont forget this when the time comes!

Eskay40 · Jul 21, 2011 8:54 pm

Hi Alan1237. NO there is no regulation requiring privacy locks on powder rooms or ensuites. If you want them, you have to specify them. That's one I didn't forget

pedro.lyn.josh · Jul 22, 2011 3:23 pm

docker_rob

One very important thing I forgot to add last post was at the end of your build, prior to final inspection check your provisional Sums and ask your builder to confirm the final PS costings. Query them on it and ask to see a breakdown of invoices for the PS work performed.

In your contract you will have a figure of $'000's for provisional sums. Normally for earthworks and other things they arent 100% sure of before starting work so it is a provisional figure. The builder if asked, is supposed to provide you a breakdown of where this money was spent at completion of the contract - (Including showing you invoices for the work if your request) . Normally it is invoice cost plus a markup of a certain % for the builder (The % will be listed in your contract.)

However 99% of builders wont say anything and just keep the unspent money as profit. :n:

But if you ask for clarification of any or all of the PS figures, they are legally obliged to go through the billing and provide you with copies of any work performed. Any amounts not billed or less than the PS figure they have to refund to you in full.

Things like Concrete pumps are sometimes billed and never used, earthworks often under the sums quoted.

I have my PC Inspection this week and asked them yesterday to confirm the PS which was listed as $14,076 in costs. Of that total they came back straight away and said yes we owe you $3500 and will credit that to me. (Would never have happened if I did not push them)

There is another $2500 I am disputing and asking to see receipts for. If they cant show me invoicing then they have to refund me that money also. So make sure you ask to see a detailed breakdown with copies of invoices as that is your right.

Most people forget in the excitement to get the keys, but if you like money as much as I do make sure you ask :-)

Hi bud,

i dont have a breakdown like what your suggesting...

my contract stipulates percentages of the total sum for progress payments.... it just states that this must be payed at the end of each stage of the build.

i would love to catch them out. i am also at hand over on Monday