Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Feb 28, 2013 8:02 am One of the issues that commonly comes up in my inspections is that owners rarely have a full set of approved plans. What is it? It's the set that has been checked and approved by the relevant building surveyor for building permit (it has a building permit stamp on it) and it could be substantially different from the contract set that you signed with the builder. Why do you need it? Approved set of plans (architectural drawings, engineering drawings, computations, specifications and truss manufacturers computations and layout is your blueprint for construction (a recipe for cooking if you like). It's the set that actual construction should be compared against. If you don't have it then inspector like me cannot be sure what to look for when checking your build. If the builder is getting the building permit then the builder is your agent, the permit belongs to the owner and you are entitled to a full set from the builder. Don't be fobbed off. 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: Approved plans- have you got them? 2Feb 28, 2013 8:20 am Hi Branko, In our case there were a number of differences between the plans we signed off on with the builder and the approved plans but the building designer told us that the plans signed with the builder took precedence. I realised just recently that the approved plans even specified different plasterboard (13mm thick Gyprock ECO8 Partition plasterboard) as against the 10mm thick plasterboard specified in the plans we signed off on with the builder. But what makes it even more puzzling is that both sets of plans have the same date on them! So if the plans you sign with the builder are in the contract, where do the approved plans fit in? Re: Approved plans- have you got them? 3Feb 28, 2013 8:33 am Hi Liliana The contract set is part of the agreement with the builder. The approved set is the standard you have to build to. So if you have signed off with the builder and then you apply for a building permit and the building surveyor wants more then it is a legitimate variation in favour of the builder. Builder will be able to raise a variation for additional requirements that he could not have foreseen. Your case is different to most other builds because you have your own designer, so you are responsible for the adequacy of your design. Where builder provides design and construction (as most volume builders do) then the designer is merely their subby and they are responsible for the adequacy of the design in the same way they would be responsible for the adequacy of brickwork. 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 If your patio is going to be 35 sqm then that's going to need Council Approval. The fact that they previously approved your 25sqm patio will be irelevant 1 2705 6 7972 wondering anyone built with omaxe homes and care to share their experiences. thanks 0 8813 |