Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Nov 19, 2013 4:32 pm I've been suffering through a difficult build. See my earlier post: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=67811 Some of the major defects have been dealt with although not very well and the builder is again asking for final payment. Has anybody gotten an expert second-opinion in a situation like this? I'm thinking of someone who can walk through and give written advice on major defects and their cost. I've got a certifier but all he does is confirm that the place is habitable and meets regulations. I'm looking for an expert who can double check the quality of workmanship. Re: Second Opinion before Final Payment? 2Nov 19, 2013 5:20 pm Just a thought... What about a regular pre-handover inspection? 19.03.14 - Land Settlement 15.04.14 - Building Permit 28.04.14 - Earthworks 14.05.14 - Slab Stage 20.05.14 - Frame Stage 11.06.14 - Lock Up Stage 03.07.14 - Fix Stage 15.08.14 - New Home Presentation Re: Second Opinion before Final Payment? 3Nov 19, 2013 5:36 pm Gaviscon Girl Just a thought... What about a regular pre-handover inspection? Yup, done the pre-handover inspection, but when I pointed out missing prime-cost items he said they're defects and won't be fixed until after I sign the practical completion document. Re: Second Opinion before Final Payment? 4Nov 19, 2013 5:44 pm Sounds like a scam to me, think we are doing this in the next week or two and builder advised that we sign once we are happy with the PCI..... when there is nothing to be fixed. Have had a few things that have been issues but no issues with getting them fixed, not sure who you would go to about any issues. I might be mistaken? Sorry this doesn't help you alot Re: Second Opinion before Final Payment? 6Nov 19, 2013 8:19 pm Ari Did you just go to the pre handover inspection by yourself or did you take an independent building inspector with you? No, didn't have a building inspector there. Which organisations can I approach to hire somebody like that? Re: Second Opinion before Final Payment? 9Nov 19, 2013 8:44 pm Sorry, I only know some in melbourne. A search pulled up this though viewtopic.php?f=3&t=49922 Maybe do a google search too Re: Second Opinion before Final Payment? 11Feb 04, 2014 10:34 pm bob97 How did you go? We are in a similar position but our defects aren't as bad. House is livable but quality is low... Try calling ACTPLA and the MBA for advice. Work was "completed" in December although I use that word loosely. The quality of the work was really poor towards the end and a number of major defects were never addressed. But he knew I couldn't afford both rent and the mortgage, so I eventually had to cave and accept the incomplete work with a promise he'd be back in January to finish everything off. I knew what was coming next. January came and went without a peep out of him. It's like he's skipped the country. I'm just paying trades out of my own pocket now to finish the job. Some of the tradies have been shocked by the work; one of them even said he'd be "pretty unhappy" if this was his house. It's heart-breaking. The building industry in Australia is sick. If I bought a 2L bottle of milk from Woolies that was "defective" I'd have more rights. Re: Second Opinion before Final Payment? 12Feb 05, 2014 5:31 am jason42 bob97 How did you go? We are in a similar position but our defects aren't as bad. House is livable but quality is low... Try calling ACTPLA and the MBA for advice. Work was "completed" in December although I use that word loosely. The quality of the work was really poor towards the end and a number of major defects were never addressed. But he knew I couldn't afford both rent and the mortgage, so I eventually had to cave and accept the incomplete work with a promise he'd be back in January to finish everything off. I knew what was coming next. January came and went without a peep out of him. It's like he's skipped the country. I'm just paying trades out of my own pocket now to finish the job. Some of the tradies have been shocked by the work; one of them even said he'd be "pretty unhappy" if this was his house. It's heart-breaking. The building industry in Australia is sick. If I bought a 2L bottle of milk from Woolies that was "defective" I'd have more rights. Has it not occurred to you to get your own independent inspector to assist you throughout your build? 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: Second Opinion before Final Payment? 13Feb 26, 2014 5:56 pm Building industry in Australia is chaotic and hard to deal with.. i did my practical completion last Friday and found lots of issues to be fixed. the builder said that i would take 2 weeks to complete and a few days after i receive the Practical completion progress payment. The strange thing is that in the invoice there is a statement saying This is not your final account as this may be subject to amendment. A final statement of account is yet to be issues. Please refer to the final statement of account for monies owing prior to handover keys. Is this normal? thanks Re: Second Opinion before Final Payment? 14Feb 26, 2014 9:53 pm jacjon Building industry in Australia is chaotic and hard to deal with.. i did my practical completion last Friday and found lots of issues to be fixed. the builder said that i would take 2 weeks to complete and a few days after i receive the Practical completion progress payment. The strange thing is that in the invoice there is a statement saying This is not your final account as this may be subject to amendment. A final statement of account is yet to be issues. Please refer to the final statement of account for monies owing prior to handover keys. Is this normal? thanks No it is not. Get yourself independent inspector not only to look over your house but also your contract. How many people out there have lost thousands through overcharging or not getting adjustment refunds? Thousands. 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 regardless, your contract stipulates a payments schedule and SOPA doesn't give provision to that scenario. Your contractual terms appear to stand. Hence get a lawyer, it… 4 11868 Thanks for the suggestion. The space between shower and sinks was too tight. I agree about the toilet location. So I have tried two other options: The lower one is… 3 6138 these look like missing batts. Go up and take a look. But yeah moisure meter is a completely different tool 4 9455 |