Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Feb 18, 2019 11:34 am I am in the process of building and almost at contract signing stage. Basically the builder wants us to review the contact and pay the 5% deposit within the 3 hour "contract signing" window allocated to us. Is this normal? I know there's a cooling off period, but I'm uneasy about signing a contract under such pressure without reviewing the drawings etc under a magnifying glass. Also, within the tender document there are some items that are not quantified, such as additional drainage requirements, sewer/stormwater etc. The builder has said they cant quantify these amounts until the engineering drawings have been finished, which won't be complete until well after contract signing - about one week before site start. Is this normal? I would have thought the building surveyor would need the engineering drawings to issue a permit? And how am I supposed to have comfort on the costs at contract signing if there are still big unknowns? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Re: Contract Inspection - New Build 2Feb 18, 2019 1:14 pm In addition to above, is it reasonable to expect the engineering drawings be completed and ready for me to view before signing the contract? I have paid $5k up to contract signing stage, which i would have thought is more than enough to cover soil, levels survey, draft house plans (based off their standard plans) AND final engineering / PIC. Any thoughts? Re: Contract Inspection - New Build 3Feb 18, 2019 2:02 pm This is what I posted on a different thread..... Of course they can't force you to sign anything. I told my builder I wasn't coming in to the appointment unless I received the contract beforehand with time to review. I then submitted a list of required changes which we negotiated over At the appointment they also wanted me to sign on the day, but there were still a few things I wasn't happy about, so didn't sign. The boss even came out to try to convince me (and said they would "fix it with a variation later"). I said I wasn't signing until everything was corrected and I was completely happy. They wanted my business so did this, and we were all happy in the end . Stick to your guns - you are the customer. And if they are being really difficult maybe that is a sign you should look elsewhere Re: Contract Inspection - New Build 4Feb 18, 2019 2:05 pm The parties have reached a mutual understanding in resolution of each of the other parties concerns Simeon McGovern Affordable Custom Homes, We design and build to your budget Ashington Homes www.ashingtonhomes.com.au Re: Contract Inspection - New Build 5Feb 18, 2019 9:56 pm chiggles Basically the builder wants us to review the contact and pay the 5% deposit within the 3 hour "contract signing" window allocated to us. Is this normal? A pre contract review consultation with a well qualified building consultant is one of the most important 'inspection stages. Your builder is showing you no respect and trying to deny you some basic rights of self protection. Don't trust your builder. Read my post (and the link) in the thread below. viewtopic.php?p=1834345#p1834345 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Contract Inspection - New Build 6Feb 19, 2019 6:55 pm chiggles The builder has said they cant quantify these amounts until the engineering drawings have been finished, which won't be complete until well after contract signing - about one week before site start. Is this normal? I would have thought the building surveyor would need the engineering drawings to issue a permit? And how am I supposed to have comfort on the costs at contract signing if there are still big unknowns? No, This is not a recommended practice Wait till all contract documents which include Geotech Report, Engineering Drawings & Notes are available & have been reviewed Cheers Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs The worst thing you can do is sign a building contract without a pre contract review. Over the years many people have come to me with disputes where they just signed… 0 8272 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 17167 You talk about deletions, are they variations or PS and PC adjustments? pleas list them 1 16436 |