Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jul 24, 2014 3:38 pm Hey guys, We have reached the point of our new build where we have our plans and tender where we are happy with them. We are building with a project home builder and as such there are a lot of variables in the tender saying subject to this, subject to that due to tender/plans being prepared on preliminary land plans. No contour/borehole surveys have been done yet. The builder is wanting us to meet to sign the building contract next week. Our land is supposed to be registered next month, but isn't as yet. I'm thinking we should hold off until such time that the land has registered and contour/borehole reports have been done? Is this what usually happens?? Re: Signing building contract before land registration 2Jul 24, 2014 5:59 pm I signed my contract more than 6 months before the land titled (developer delays - unfortunately a common occurrence) and didn't have any issues. If I recall correctly my builder was able to access and conduct a soil test on the block before titles were issued (if your land registration is less than a month away surely your builder could do this?) The worst that could happen, I suppose, is that you have a soild test done on a block that, due to some unforeseen circumstances, you don't end up buying. You will only have blown a few hundred dollars if that's the case. I would definitely want the soil test and resultant slab type, engineers specifications done before I signed a building contract (so I knew what I was up for, price wise). A quick look through these forums will show you that site costs can skyrocket to an astronomical level if you have a poor soil class. Another thing to keep in mind is whether your builder will guarantee to keep the contract at the price that you sign for provided you build by a certain date. Most builders regularly increase their prices and you don't want to be stung by that either. Good luck with it all Re: Signing building contract before land registration 3Jul 24, 2014 6:00 pm We were in a similar situation a little while back. We actually got permission from the developer for our builder to do soil tests about 5 weeks before our land actually titled. What is there still left to be done on your block? If the developers still expect earthworks on it then there is no point asking as your builder will have to go out and do it again. Our hold up was something to do with the connections and the developer was able to assure the builder the block wasn't going to be touched. Maybe something to look into? I personally wouldn't sign anything until you can get site costs unless they will fix them or you can sign subject to site costs being equal to or less than X amount of dollars. And just a heads up. When we bought our block in June last yr we were told titles were expected in December. We knew that wasn't going to happen so weren't fussed when we received a letter Late December saying it would title in the first quarter. March came and went, multiple calls to the developer who claimed it would be in the next fortnight. Received another letter saying 18 April then it finally titled mid June. Really hope for your sake its next month. If they can do the soil test ASAP so you can sign contracts it really would be beneficial. Friends of ours bought the block across the road from us. Land settled on a Thursday, builder started the site cut on the Saturday. Re: Signing building contract before land registration 4Jul 24, 2014 6:15 pm We were originally told registration would occur in June. We received written advice it should be with land titles in August. As for what's left with the development it just appears to be little fiddly bits they are doing. I've previously requested for soil/contour surveys to be conducted prior to registration and was told it won't be happening. The builder has given us estimated site costs based off the developers projected plans, but as no contour/bore hole reports obtained, it is subject to change. Our tender is guaranteed to the 30/11/14. Would it be worthwhile in trying to push forward with colour selections etc prior to contract to sped up this process? Re: Signing building contract before land registration 5Jul 24, 2014 6:22 pm If your land doesn't title until (hopefully) August then construction won't start until after that. What is to be gained by you signing the contract now? Balance that against the risk of (possibly) huge and unknown site costs. I'd be telling your builder you will sign only once the soil test is done (and site costs added into the contract) and they need to speak to the estate developer to make that happen. Re: Signing building contract before land registration 6Jul 24, 2014 8:02 pm depends on who your builder is. some will start the process and get everything ready so when the title is out they start building straight away (really good if land titles get delayed which is often) or you can have one who get you to sign a contract before the land was titled and they dont start anything until the land is titled. we signed a contract in june 2013 and our land was titled dec 2013 and we have just had our slab laid Been in a similar position and we decided to let the builder go. Some of the PSA money goes to engineering so we at least got those documents and they actually refunded us… 2 4562 You talk about deletions, are they variations or PS and PC adjustments? pleas list them 1 12043 Building a fence now will help limit people dumping rubbish and soil on your property. Many houses in suburbia on small lots have fences up before a build. I moved into a… 1 3570 |