Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jun 07, 2013 3:25 pm We've paid an initial deposit to a builder who then had contracts ready to go less than two weeks later (which turned out to be full of errors - so much so that he wouldn't even let us take them to look at) I'm just wondering if selections should be done prior to the contract? It seems strange to me for them to want us to sign before deciding on anything like bricks etc. I'm worried that they'll try to hit us for massive variation fees if we don't like their standard range and want to upgrade. Is that founded, or am I being petty? Our previous builder asked us to select from pre-prepared interior and exterior colour boards well before contract stage. Re: Quick Q regarding contracts and selections 2Jun 07, 2013 3:53 pm Normal practice is to sign contract and do selections after as they are doing it. They don't charge you variations for upgrading from standard at selections, only if you change after that. Building the Leabrook with Fairmont Homes in Mallala, SA. Building contract 24/3/13 Council Approval 18/6/13 Selections 29/6/13 & 1/7/13 Site works 21/10/13 Slab 7/11/13 Re: Quick Q regarding contracts and selections 3Jun 07, 2013 4:12 pm What you've described seems to be the way most of the large project builders do things. We're likely going with Hotondo and we do our selections first in order to get a fixed price quote/tender, then if we're happy we go to contract after that. Then again, they also do four separate meetings (exterior, tiles/cabinets/benchtops, rest of interior and final signoff) for a total of about 8 hours instead of one rushed half-day selection meeting that I hear others mention. I'm not sure if that's across all Hotondo franchisees or just our local one. ~ 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: Quick Q regarding contracts and selections 4Jun 07, 2013 5:34 pm yep sounds pretty normal to me. we signed contract in november but did not do selections til march. can you obtain upgrade prices from your builder or others here on the forum who have built through them so you know how much upgrades on certain things will cost? Re: Quick Q regarding contracts and selections 5Jun 07, 2013 5:46 pm Thanks for the feedback! I guess as the builder we ditched did selections pre-contract it just threw me. I've asked for the specifics for a couple of upgrades and also what the builders "standard range" is so that we can at least start narrowing things down. I'm yet to hear back so might chase that up over the weekend so I feel like I can at least do something. We're supposed to be starting in July so they'd better start answering questions sooner rather than later! i would not be signing anything on the day read your contract about when builder submits final invoice generally, have to meet builder within 7 days of receiving final… 1 2573 1. Roof cleaning and paint - which colour do you recommend? I often see black/ dark grey in use these days but I would prefer… 0 5222 MBA and HIA both have sub contract agreements, check them out 2 6015 |