Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Nicest way to tell your builder you have a ind. inspecto 6Feb 12, 2014 8:23 pm Hard being a family friend, but, it is your money and in your best interest. We have organised one for our place, two inspections. One at end of frame stage and 2nd at PCI. I played the I have no idea card, my ignorance on building is what I used to include it in my contract that an inspector can come on the site. Good luck Re: Nicest way to tell your builder you have a ind. inspecto 7Feb 12, 2014 8:33 pm Just tell him as matter of fact. If you get any sort of negative response, just ask "but there shouldn't be a problem......should there?" There have been a few threads lately about independent building inspectors and not having them included in the contract etc. You should use the forum's search facility to bring those threads up as there are things mentioned that you really should know. There are also some other threads shown at the bottom of this page (when logged in). EDIT: Included bracketed text. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Nicest way to tell your builder you have a ind. inspecto 8Feb 12, 2014 10:34 pm We didn't have one written into the contract but I plan to bring one for PCI and just say he's there to advise me as "I don't know what to look for" (the truth!). I don't see how they could be offended. Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65085 Re: Nicest way to tell your builder you have a ind. inspecto 9Feb 12, 2014 11:03 pm Speaking of ind inspector can anyone recommend an inspector, Have dealt with & are happy to recommend, My hubby & l are very new to the building our first home. Thanks for any recommendations ahead of time. Re: Nicest way to tell your builder you have a ind. inspecto 10Feb 12, 2014 11:07 pm Hi EmyN There is no need to be intimidated, you are the owner, and it is your biggest investment and it is you right by law (Vic) whether you have it in the contract or not and you are in charge. It has nothing to do with trust, it's project control.If you are not in control who is? Greedy family friend?, I have seen plenty of them before (to owner's misfortune) Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Nicest way to tell your builder you have a ind. inspecto 11Feb 13, 2014 2:04 pm If you have a good relationship with your builder there shouldn't be an issue with just saying "hey, I've got a building inspector to check on things to avoid any confusion I might have over standards". I'm fairly happy with our build and I've been really diligent with identifying issues but we are still using one since I have no clue what building standards might apply overall. It is justifiable because it won't be a single person doing the work - various sub-contractors may be involved so it shouldn't be taken personally. It also depends if you are doing ongoing checks - in which case agree with the builder in advance about when the appropriate milestones are. No point trying to surprise them to "catch them out" when works might still be in-progress. If you don't have a good relationship with your builder then you shouldn't be too fussed about how you say it Demo + Build in Rivervale, Western Australia Moved in June 2014 http://rivervale.tumblr.com/ Building Thread Re: Nicest way to tell your builder you have a ind. inspecto 12Feb 13, 2014 2:18 pm Well I told my builder today (with a mix of everyone's suggestions) and he didn't look to impressed. He said 'what do you need one for?' I said just to make sure they find any small issues before they become big ones at final. I don't want to waste time going backwards. He still didn't look too happy. But like It was said above, it is my biggest investment and I would never do it without a second opinion! I'll keep you guys posted. I have enquired with Branko (inspector) and he will be doing the pre laster inspection in the next few weeks so PM me if you want the result! Re: Nicest way to tell your builder you have a ind. inspecto 13Feb 13, 2014 2:32 pm emilygjj Well I told my builder today (with a mix of everyone's suggestions) and he didn't look to impressed. He said 'what do you need one for?' He still didn't look too happy. It's not his money and so the question becomes: "What is his concern?" More than enough reason to suggest that you have made a wise move. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Nicest way to tell your builder you have a ind. inspecto 14Feb 13, 2014 3:30 pm So he agreed to a pre-plaster inspection without it being in the contract? Hmmm I thought they had to be in the contract or the builder could refuse to allow it... We don't have it specified in the contract so I was just going to bring an inspector with me to PCI.... maybe I've got the wrong end of the stick. Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65085 Re: Nicest way to tell your builder you have a ind. inspecto 15Feb 13, 2014 3:35 pm Any builder who questions why you need an inspector is the exact proof of why you need an inspector! When I told my builder, he questioned why and said that they're work had to meet certain standards anyway. Then if it meets the standards then he's going nothing to worry about anyway. Its your money, your house, your future....anything to protect that is worth it, no matter if 'hurt someones feelings'. Re: Nicest way to tell your builder you have a ind. inspecto 16Feb 13, 2014 4:05 pm mjmelb Any builder who questions why you need an inspector is the exact proof of why you need an inspector!....Its your money, your house, your future....anything to protect that is worth it, no matter if 'hurt someones feelings'. Exactly. We like our builder as a person but at the end of the day it is a business relationship. All of our dealings so far have been friendly and chatty while still being professional - there's no point being otherwise unless there's reason to, and you catch more flies with honey than vinegar anyway! Once we'd decided on our inspector, we just sent an email (so we had a record of the conversation) which basically said "Just wanted to let you know we have engaged XYZ to conduct independent inspections at the framing, lockup/pre-plaster and PCI stages just for extra peace of mind." DH spoke to him a day or two later on another matter and he said he's never had a client request an independent inspection before but it wasn't a problem - at the end of the day it's our build and our money. We're not expecting him to find anything major (and certainly hope he doesn't) but builders and subcontractors are human and errors can be made and things overlooked or missed. ~ Anne I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite sure. Eeek - We're embarking on a knockdown rebuild! Click here for our build thread Our blog: kdrhome.wordpress.com Re: Nicest way to tell your builder you have a ind. inspecto 17Feb 13, 2014 4:47 pm [quote="Slightly Random"][/quote] Exactly. We like our builder as a person but at the end of the day it is a business relationship. The best piece of sanity I have seen for a while. Bravo Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Nicest way to tell your builder you have a ind. inspecto 18Feb 14, 2014 6:02 am I thought getting an inspector was normal. I am now surprised at how many people don't just get one as a matter of course. I was just going to take my inspector out there at critical points (brickwork, roof frame, PCI). I hadn't even thought about needing to be sensitive to the builder about these things. Geez, I now better place the call with the Supervisor to give him the heads up. Our Family Home Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=69221 Our Investment Build Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=69588 Re: Nicest way to tell your builder you have a ind. inspecto 19Feb 14, 2014 9:34 am engs I thought getting an inspector was normal. I am now surprised at how many people don't just get one as a matter of course. I was just going to take my inspector out there at critical points (brickwork, roof frame, PCI). I hadn't even thought about needing to be sensitive to the builder about these things. Geez, I now better place the call with the Supervisor to give him the heads up. True, too many people don't or alternatively do when they are already in trouble with their build. The ones that get contract review and four stage inspections are most likely to avoid significant defects and build trauma. Just to clarify: As the owner you have a right to the site at any reasonable time however under building contract you give a licence of possession to the builder. Builder is in charge of the site and responsible for site security, safety of workers, visitors and safety of the public. So the best policy is to arrange with the builder a day and the time of inspection. Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Nicest way to tell your builder you have a ind. inspecto 20Feb 14, 2014 9:51 am Just be upfront and say that you wanted a second opinion on the build quality. There is nothing to hide, being honest and upfront is the best approach to any issue. I would send it to the certifier who is technically your representative and working on your behalf not the builder's 1 1469 Thanks mate. Yeah good points! Leaning towards Option 3 to get a bit extra space in the cabinets but not going too crazy high (and expensive). Would require a mini… 13 30490 Hi All, I just wanted to close this topic out with an update. So we ended up agreeing to a number with the insurance company, and after an extensive amount of hand… 8 15374 |