Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jan 24, 2016 10:45 pm Hello, we're building our first house and very new at this and nervous! We are building in Ringwood East, sloped piece of land, 2-storey house at about 29 squares. We've just received a draft HIA contract and currently reviewing it. Still reviewing the documents and wondering what typical numbers are. Time for completion: Total 360 days, includes- 24 days for inclement weather and its effects. 114 days for weekends, public holidays, rostered days off, etc. 0 days for building work Damages: $350/week for late completion of Building Works $250/week agreed damages for delays Looking at past forums, it appears that the time for completion that we've been given is way too high for such a small house. What do you all think?? Re: HIA contract expectations 2Jan 25, 2016 2:07 pm Its often a balancing act. If you ask for a shorter build period they will probably want to reduce the amount of damages. If you look through other posts you will see some have a shorter build period but damages are $1 a week! The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: HIA contract expectations 3Jan 26, 2016 9:05 pm Hi HostusMostus, Bashworth has a good point about the trade off situation. I would have thought 250 days was ample, but your builder may be busy and this needs to be allowed for. Asking one of the builder's previous clients might help ease your mind. But 29 squares is not small... and 2 storeys plus sloping block are complicating factors. I suggest if you are happy with their quality then go with the flow, Cheers, Leonardo_23 Re: HIA contract expectations 4Jan 29, 2016 2:07 pm Thanks for your thoughts, Bashworth & Leonardo_23. Our builder has told us they expect 6-9 months but put 360 days in writing just to cover themselves in case of unforeseen circumstances. Anyway, we're signing in a few days... so looks like we're in it for the long haul! HIA contract expectations 5Jan 29, 2016 3:23 pm My advice doesn't matter who you build with is to pay $500 and have the contract and specifications reviewed by a professional. There are many pitfalls for consumers in these contracts that will cost you multiples of that in costs, penalties, variations ect. My advice is never believe what a builder says it will always fall back to the contract. They will do everything to secure a sale. Sales guys are generally on commissions It's not about getting everything your way but DO NOT BE PRESSURED INTO SIGNING CONTRACTS. TAKE YOUR TIME AND UNDERSTAND THE RISKS. You talk about deletions, are they variations or PS and PC adjustments? pleas list them 1 17442 Unless there is something in special conditions the builder does not have to give you timeline. If your demolition contractor has not removed Asbestos and it was found… 12 29597 Sorry but you have a crap builder. Probably too late now. For our last build I only spoke to builders who would allow me easy access (at no cost). I used my own sparky… 10 10657 |