First of all thank you for having this forum. it’s really informative and helpful for people like us.
My land is settling in few weeks’ time and I have chosen Simonds home to build my home since I liked one of their floor plans.
During paying initial deposit , they have told me that I have an option to choose their preferred Building Surveyor which is Checkoint Building Surveyors for Western Suburbs or I can choose my own, my sales agent was genuine and she told me that I am welcome to choose my own if I want to but she told there are very limited reputed surveyors that you can find with the following criteria that Simonds suggest that the surveyor should have.
1.Professional indemnity insurance of at least $5,000,000
2.Public liability insurance of at least $10,000,000
3.Registration in the category ‘Building Inspector Unlimited(IN-U) in accordance the Building Regulations 2006(Vic)
4.Sufficient registered Building Practitioners to issue building permits and undertake mandatory inspections with in the following times:
· The PBS to provide a guaranteed next day inspection service.
· The PBS to be able to complete a ‘building permit application review’, ’requestion for further information’ and ‘permit issue’ within 72 hours of a request and
· The PBS to be able to complete an ‘occupancy permit review and issue’ within 48 hours of a request and
5.The PBS to have systems in place to allow ‘live’ written inspections results from site, including the provisions of photos and construction details.
I need to decide on this before I sign the building contract which is expected in Jan 2018, I have few questions and concerns .
1.I have read that if I appoint my own then the construction process will be delayed and I will be given additional responsibility in co coordinating with my PBS.
2.I have read that there aren’t much reputed PBS to choose from which satisfies builders requirements.
I will be appointing my own Building Inspector for every stage of the building as I don’t trust the one appointment by builders, but will it be enough to make sure mu house bor I should really choose my own PBS also?
If I decide to go with the Builders preferred BS, what would be the chance that they act in interests of builder instead of me which will hurt me in long run in terms of quality of build and stuffs like that.
I would really appreciate your time and thoughts on this, I would also appreciate any suggestions for a good PBS.