Browse Forums Building A New House 1 May 08, 2017 9:36 pm Hi, we are building in Qld and the builder has changed some things on the house without asking permission from us or anyone else. Is this going to effect our building being signed off. Some of the items are he hasn't put in any of the angled brick sills. (all horizontal), also he has changed the garage height, door type and the façade. Does anyone any idea of where this will leave us with regards to our house being legal? Thanks Re: Building/council plans 2May 09, 2017 7:22 am It is unlikely that merely cosmetic changes will affect building approval but you need to have a good look to see if there are more changes. What you posted to me raises a red flag for me because builder has no right to change contract/approved plns without your consent and merely for convenience/cost cutting. The only time a contract variation, without your consent is valid is when an event occurs beyond builder's control. Even then, proper variation records must be raised and documented. You need to crunch the builder now or else you risk being steamrolled with more changes. 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: Building/council plans 3May 09, 2017 12:38 pm Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately for us, I always knew something wasn't right with the house just by looking at it, I couldn't put my finger on it though what the actual issue was and it took the builder to sack the certifier for me to look closer at the plans and find out what was happening. That is when I noticed that the house should have brick sills, the façade above the garage should be 1350mm and is 1850mm and looks terrible, all because he put a cheaper garage door on 2100mm instead of 2448mm. As before he also put on a 1200mm hinged door instead of 1200mm pivot too. I found out the certifier had been sacked because he had previously failed the frame inspection (October 2016) and the builder then tried to use another house's frame (March 2017) to have the frame pass but the certifier knew it wasn't our house and refused to accept the pictures. We have just received the Form 21 and when I spoke to the new certifier he has signed it off by using a self-certified carpenter inspection certification. We had a private inspection on the house done and the inspection raised 61 issues, lots AS and BCI, the builder said I need to raised these at handover. So annoying when some will need tiles raising as he didn't put in waterstops at the bathrooms and laundry. Oh, I don't know what to think. I'm actually thinking of taking him to QCAT, not just for these issues but also the house was supposed to be finished on 26 November last year but we only got Form 21 last week, no apologies, no forms to request the extension, nothing - he just does as he pleases. If you were in my shoes what would you do? Many thanks Re: Building/council plans 4May 09, 2017 8:25 pm What you are posting raises disturbing issues: How is it possible for builder to sack certifier? House frame ring in? that is dishonesty of the highest order that goes to the root of builder's ability to remain registerd It seems you are just steamrolled all the way. Why has your inspector not guided you through all this? I could assist you but unfortunately for you I work In Vic and the fly in fly out may be cost prohibitive, although I did it once with a lady that had diabolical house problems in Sunshine Coast. I was able to get the builder to buy back the problem home. What she paid me was less than what she paid solicitors who did nothing. 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: Building/council plans 5May 10, 2017 7:49 am Naivety I suppose, I'm from the UK, houses are built double brick and you only pay at the end when everything is finished and signed off by a registered certifier at all stages, not anyone the builder can get hold of. I still can't believe the carpenter can sign off his own work. Who is going to say "I can't sign it off, I didn't strap it properly or connect the balcony properly". I only got an inspector in at the end when I really knew something was wrong and giving some advice. They were great with the issues picked up but to be honest the builder listens to no-one, he does his own thing. I had to go to QBCC and get EDR on the inspector issues in the end, the EDR process basically failed and they've advised to take it to QCAT as there are more contractual issues that need to be finalised before the defects. I'm worried to take it though, scared of what I'll hear, but I think that the legal way is the only way some people do something. I appreciate your offer but up to now he has not taken into account our private inspection and fobbed off the QBCC and I'm not sure the courts will help but I still hold his final payment and that's what he is desperate for. Desperate enough to go behind my back and get in touch with my bank with the Form 21 and for payment. Unfortunately for him I've told the bank the situation and it is all on hold. Funny thing is, he sent me a threatened email yesterday giving me until 5pm today to pay the final payment or inform him what is happening - so funny I've waited 6 months after contract to get Form 21 and he threatens me after 5 days. Thanks for listening, you've helped me realise the gravity of the situation and what I need to do. It is much appreciated. Re: Building/council plans 6May 10, 2017 9:04 am Just to put it in perspective for you: One thing is getting the inspector for stage inspection and identify faults and defects and quite another to do something about it. The reason why the builder is treating you this way is because he thinks you are a pushover. The reason why he does not take notice of your inspector and the report is because your inspector has no credibility, has not pushed the right buttons and builder has his measure and does what he likes. I get this a lot when people have come to me after they get nowhere with their inspectors and are left on their own. To manage building problems and disputes is an art that required multidisciplinary expertise and very extensive experience, someone who knows to push the right buttons to get the result. You won't get that with a discount inspector. You get what you pay for and they have. Good luck! 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: Building/council plans 7May 10, 2017 11:38 am Aww Tmaria what a nightmare. Where in qld ru? Who ru building with? We're down Gold Coast I'm also from UK and some of the practices here ... No words. But we got an independent inspector for every stage as we had so much rubbish at the admin stage. Glad u still have final payment to hold but when u just want into your house... Good luck x Even if it's not being sub-divided and you want to keep it as Torrens title, you will still need to talk to a town planner or Council themselves, to see if they will allow… 1 11035 We've had the offer of a short term tenant whilst waiting for CDC/DA home approval and demolition for our knock down rebuild. 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