Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Oct 23, 2013 5:03 pm Hi all, Just wanting to ask how important is it that the house plans accurately reflect the build? We seem to be having a hard time with our builder getting the plans to match our specs so we can send it off for council approval it is taking ages for them to change anything and I worry that it might cost us. For instance, water tank pad location, hot water system, power meter etc. I am wanting to be on the plans in the right spot and have told them this- yet when they sent the amended plans back all they did was increase the ceiling height that was per the contract.. Do variations then over rule plans? or are variations supposed to be updated on the plans? (Note: the above listed items were NOT variations they were included in our original contract) This is our first build so I have no idea! I worry that when the house gets built there will be mistakes. As another example, our plans state we have a 2.1 x 4.8m high garage door, when our contract states it is 2.1 x 5.2m. Should I be concerned- I have visions of the frame/bricks being laid with a too narrow gap then being forced to put up with it!! Any help would be appreciated. Re: How accurate do plans have to be? 2Oct 23, 2013 6:37 pm Variations overrule plans; well, they change the plans. But if the plan isn't correct they'll build it wrong; so you need to make sure it's 100% correct before building starts. If something is in the contract but wrong in the plan, you have a valid argument for getting it fixed; but you're much better off if you can avoid the need for that argument in the firstplace! Plus signing the contract, for us, meant signing-off on the plans too (if that's normal then you're agreeing the plans are correct when you sign them ... which might mean they charge you for those variations). Re: How accurate do plans have to be? 3Oct 23, 2013 8:38 pm I agree with Fong, make sure your plans are 100% correct. As a lot of work on the house is given to sub contractors, they won't know if there is a difference to the plans compared to your contract and will usually just follow the plans. So it is imperative the plans are correct to avoid arguments later on down the track. If the plans are part of your contract, usually any change after that could be subject to a fee to change, depending on how accommodating (or not) your builder is with making after contract changes and whether they will charge for it. We built the Wisdom Majestic 40 - moved in! Our blog - http://ourwisdommajestic40.blogspot.com.au/ Our H1 thread - viewtopic.php?t=54156 Re: How accurate do plans have to be? 4Oct 23, 2013 11:42 pm I'm going through the exact stage as you do. It really depends on the builder, designer and you. For my case, we have the concept plan signed off with everything we want and any conditional clauses in our contract. Make sure you read that clearly or seek advise. We are at planning stage now, where we are working out the working plan for planning permit application. At this stage, we are more concern on the outlook, structural and make sure all the rooms, doors etc.. are in place and correct. Also the exterior color and material are listed correctly for council. The arrangements inside bathroom, toilet, kitchen are for next set of plans where we start to concern things like plumbing, electrical stuff etc. As you can see it really depends on your arrangement with your builder and contract. If your builder will charge you for variations etc.. make sure everything is correct on every plan. Re: How accurate do plans have to be? 5Oct 24, 2013 5:57 pm Thanks everyone. I keep trying to tell our client liason the things that are wrong, I think she is getting annoyed with me but I am not being rude about it - some things we are wanting to change, others were listed in the contract before we signed. I just wish they would be clear on their expectations for us, I guess we should just wait and see as I feel that I have sufficient evidence to go back to if they force me to pay for variations on the majority of the items that they are not putting in the plans yet. Really tight at the top of the stairs- how to get furniture into those rooms? Study books - does anyone really use them these days? Large storage closet would be more functional. 2 6884 Ask the council if there is a chance of getting build over easement exemption. Sometimes easements are unused and 24cm is not all that much. Good luck. And yes any builder… 2 13771 If there have been changes, variations, during construction then the drawings should be revised, the building permit amended and the current, as built drawings given to… 2 4480 |