Browse Forums Building A New House 1 May 05, 2016 10:43 pm hi guys, Looking for some feedback. Very close to signing contract on a knock down rebuild. At pre council submission of our plans, council advised builder that a separate stormwater management would need to be drawn up for approval. Builder said they had no experience of this, so left it to us. After speaking with Hydraulic engineers, we had plans drawn and these were eventually approved by council, after much back and forth, and cost. Important to note, we submitted these drawings to council and did the leg work. Builder said they were unable to source quote for the aproved plan. Again, after more running around, we sourced three quotes ranging from low to high thirty thousand dollars. This was a shock, but after much thought we decided to plough ahead. A few months have passed and its looks like everything has been finalised, selections made etc, BUT builder has now provided us with a quote for the Stormwater plan and says they must do it for warranty purposes. The building company has contacted our preferred plumber, got their quote, and added a 20% margin, which on 30k or so, kills me. My thoughts are to stop now, and take this as a lesson learned. However, we are a year and a half down the track after the first concept meeting. The builder owns the drawing / plans. I feel sick. Any ideas? Thanks for reading.... Re: Stormwater management and plumber v. Builder 2May 05, 2016 11:30 pm The builder's cut( Margin) on plumbing less the cost of you getting plans drawn up and approval and your time. That equates to, wait a minute, what a coincidence it equates to how much the builder wanted for his 20% margin. Job done! Re: Stormwater management and plumber v. Builder 3May 05, 2016 11:33 pm Do you have anything in writing to document that the stormwater was agreed to be out of contract? We are doing our stormwater ourselves and there is absolutely no requirement/liability on the builder for this for their warranty. This is my take... call their bluff and say that it was agreed that the stormwater would be arranged by you. Provide evidence of all work completed. If they don't agree to go ahead with it out of contract then you'll go elsewhere. Better to push back and take that risk if you were planning on walking anyway... Re: Stormwater management and plumber v. Builder 4May 06, 2016 10:14 am Thanks. Yes, we have an early email exchange where builder says storm water is out of their scope. They now say HIA advises it affects the warranty. We have said , that's fine, you engage the Plumber but do not charge us margin, or we walk away. I'll let you know outcome. Did you have,any information that differs from what HIA are supposedly telling builder? Re: Stormwater management and plumber v. Builder 5May 06, 2016 12:17 pm I dont have anything specific but I do know that as long as you have your works completed by professionals that will provide certification of the work, it doesn't matter whether you or the builder arrange it.... seems odd to me... perhaps contact the HIA and ask them? Re: Stormwater management and plumber v. Builder 6May 06, 2016 10:52 pm Thanks for feedback. Told builder to forget proceeding any further, as not happy. Lo and behold, same day builder says they have received further advice, and it will not effect home owners warranty. Re: Stormwater management and plumber v. Builder 7May 06, 2016 10:56 pm That's fantastic!! Isn't it such a coincidence... I hope this hasn't tainted your overall experience. But good on you for pushing back. I bet they now know not to try to pull the wool over your eyes agan!! Best of luck for the build. Re: Stormwater management and plumber v. Builder 8May 07, 2016 9:13 am A win for David over Goliath, Well done! Sometimes we just need to call their bluff rather than just continually put our hand in our pocket handing over the money all the time. They make enough profit as is. Thank you so much everyone. This all makes a lot of sense. I guess when you talk to a builder who butters up everything to look very polished, you get to start believing… 8 2249 Ask yourself if the insurance company will be aware of the Reno. 4 4879 Grab a hose, insert it at the top of the inlet/down pipe and turn the water on and see where the water is escaping from. Then you'll know. 3 6343 |