Browse Forums Building A New House 1 May 22, 2022 10:42 pm Like most if not all building contracts it states we shouldn't go onsite whilst the builder has possession and our home is under construction. But like many people we may or may not go onsite on the weekend to see what is happening.
Our home is close to completion and now it's often locked-up properly. However there was a sliding door left unlocked this weekend so we could get in and have a look. We noticed that the feature tiles are incorrect in all but one bathroom. They've installed a strip from floor to ceiling instead of a feature tile at the back of the niche in the shower. I checked the signed selections and it's wrong on site. We are trying to decide if we should say something now that we know there is an issue or wait until we can officially be on site. There is no silicone yet but the issue means replacing the tiles on the entire wall of 4 bathrooms. (Yes it's a lot of bathrooms for one house). Fixing after handover would be a pain but would saying something now revealing we've been inside be a big problem? It's a large volume builder and the supervisor changed 2 weeks ago so we don't know him too well yet. Re: Reporting an issue we've sen on site but shouldn't go on 3May 22, 2022 11:53 pm joe2022 ask SS can you take me into home so i can see how its going. Then point it out LOL ^^^ this. I went on site almost every day to keep an eye on things, and then when I'd accumulated a list of issues, I'd arrange to meet the SS at site for an "inspection"... but it was really for reporting the already identified defects. One time he did question how we knew there was a large dent in the colorbond roof sheeting, but I just told him I used a drone. To this day I doubt he believed me, but who cares, the dent got fixed before the scaffolding got taken down. Re: Reporting an issue we've sen on site but shouldn't go on 4May 23, 2022 7:31 am Phil of Sydney Like most if not all building contracts it states we shouldn't go onsite whilst the builder has posession and our home is under construction. But like many people we may or may not go onsite on the weekend to see what is happening. Our home is close to completion and now it's often locked-up properly. However there was a sliding door left unlocked this weekend so we could get in and have a look. We noticed that the feature tiles are incorrect in all but one bathroom. They've installed a strip from floor to ceiling instead of a feature tile at the back of the niche in the shower. I checked the signed selections and it's wrong on site. We are trying to decide if we should say something now that we know there is an issue or wait until we can officially be on site. There is no silicone yet but the issue means replacing the tiles on the entire wall of 4 bathrooms. (Yes it's a lot of bathrooms for one house). Fixing after handover would be a pain but would saying something now revealing we've been inside be a big problem? It's a large volume builder and the supervisor changed 2 weeks ago so we don't know him too well yet. Phil The question you need to ask yourself is "what recourse does the builder have against me for entering my own site?" They aren't going to cancel the contract or sue you or charge you with trespass. You will most likely get a stern warning saying don't do it again. Better to bring up the tiling issue early and take the slap on the wrist then have a massive fight later good luck Simeon Architectural Homes & Duplexes - specialising in custom designing homes to your budget Get a Free Onsite Consultation Today or send a PM for information, questions or advice. Re: Reporting an issue we've sen on site but shouldn't go on 5May 23, 2022 8:01 am Also ask your builder to accompany you on site for a few hours and check everything else. They can assist you checking things. Record any issues and whatever they say. Re: Reporting an issue we've sen on site but shouldn't go on 6May 25, 2022 11:22 am Phil of Sydney the supervisor changed 2 weeks ago so we don't know him too well yet. Its in your interest to get it done now. Once you move in you need to be able to use the bathrooms, not having to schedule a time for them to get fixed and then wait until they're ready. You've got a new supervisor, so a perfect opportunity to meet them onsite and go through the entire site with them. Check as much as you can now. I expect you'll know your build better than them and would recognize if things aren't right.. especially if you've asked for new or changed things from standard. Don't wait until the end. Re: Reporting an issue we've sen on site but shouldn't go on 7May 25, 2022 11:44 am Are the feature tiles that were installed wrong in the shower area or outside the shower area? If it is inside the shower area, it could be a massive work as there is a good chance the waterproofing membrane will be damaged when you removed the tiles. This means after removing the tiles, the waterproofing will need to be re-applied before putting the tiles back on. If this is not done properly, you will end up with leaking showers. In this scenario, I suspect the builder will take the easy way out and offer you $$ compensation instead. Re: Reporting an issue we've sen on site but shouldn't go on 8May 25, 2022 12:24 pm All site works are subcontracted by volume builders. All the SS does is administer the contracts. If the tiler has not followed the plans then they are responsible for the rectification works. The builder can backcharge the tiler for the cost of re applying the waterproofing membranes. Make sure you check the waterproofing membranes carefully before the new tiles are fixed. Do this yourself or with an expert. Don't rely on the waterproofing company's 'certificate'. Its worthless! Metricon NSW experienced many problems with the sloppy work of their waterproofing membrane contractor in Sydney a few years ago - a ticking time bomb for many owners. Re: Reporting an issue we've sen on site but shouldn't go on 9May 25, 2022 1:43 pm Kippers01 All site works are subcontracted by volume builders. All the SS does is administer the contracts. If the tiler has not followed the plans then they are responsible for the rectification works. The builder can backcharge the tiler for the cost of re applying the waterproofing membranes. Make sure you check the waterproofing membranes carefully before the new tiles are fixed. Do this yourself or with an expert. Don't rely on the waterproofing company's 'certificate'. Its worthless! Metricon NSW experienced many problems with the sloppy work of their waterproofing membrane contractor in Sydney a few years ago - a ticking time bomb for many owners. what was happening was they would waterproof and then other trades would come and walk all over it and put ladders etc in there. That's why you need full time supervision Architectural Homes & Duplexes - specialising in custom designing homes to your budget Get a Free Onsite Consultation Today or send a PM for information, questions or advice. Re: Reporting an issue we've sen on site but shouldn't go on 10May 26, 2022 9:57 am In the same boat at the moment, currently our cook top cutout in the benchtop is wrong. The cook top does not line up with oven and rangehood I think it was just a matter of the stone benchtop being put on the wrong way. Want to bring it up but of course was done after our last proper inspection. The other time something like this happened we just booked a meeting onsite to look through the progress and just pointed stuff out. Re: Reporting an issue we've sen on site but shouldn't go on 11May 26, 2022 11:02 am The feature tiles are in the shower area so water proofing will be an issue. I have sent the Site Supervisor a message about it. I had also sent a message a few weeks ago about tiling and I thought the incorrect feature tiles were onsite. It was hard to confirm without opening boxes that were wrapped up from the delivery. There are a few other tings to discuss such as the timing of the driveway and handover and landscaping the front yard so I've suggested I can meet on site to say hello face to face and discuss. Re: Reporting an issue we've sen on site but shouldn't go on 12May 26, 2022 2:10 pm Phil of Sydney Like most if not all building contracts it states we shouldn't go onsite whilst the builder has possession and our home is under construction. But like many people we may or may not go onsite on the weekend to see what is happening. Our home is close to completion and now it's often locked-up properly. However there was a sliding door left unlocked this weekend so we could get in and have a look. We noticed that the feature tiles are incorrect in all but one bathroom. They've installed a strip from floor to ceiling instead of a feature tile at the back of the niche in the shower. I checked the signed selections and it's wrong on site. We are trying to decide if we should say something now that we know there is an issue or wait until we can officially be on site. There is no silicone yet but the issue means replacing the tiles on the entire wall of 4 bathrooms. (Yes it's a lot of bathrooms for one house). Fixing after handover would be a pain but would saying something now revealing we've been inside be a big problem? It's a large volume builder and the supervisor changed 2 weeks ago so we don't know him too well yet. It is true that the builder is in possession of site until handover and you should not enter without builder's permission however it is also builder's duty to secure the site against anyone entering and the builder has not done so. You have entered, so what?, they can't charge you with trespassing on your land. The more important issue is that you have discovered the tiling problem that should be fixed sooner rather than later, tell the builder. 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: Reporting an issue we've sen on site but shouldn't go on 13May 29, 2022 2:35 pm SOoOI have discussed the problem with the builder and it shall be rectified. The site superviser wasn't happy with some of the tiling so the tiler was coming back to fix those issues anyway Re: Reporting an issue we've sen on site but shouldn't go on 14Jul 04, 2022 12:35 pm Phil of Sydney Like most if not all building contracts it states we shouldn't go onsite whilst the builder has possession and our home is under construction. But like many people we may or may not go onsite on the weekend to see what is happening. Our home is close to completion and now it's often locked-up properly. However there was a sliding door left unlocked this weekend so we could get in and have a look. We noticed that the feature tiles are incorrect in all but one bathroom. They've installed a strip from floor to ceiling instead of a feature tile at the back of the niche in the shower. I checked the signed selections and it's wrong on site. We are trying to decide if we should say something now that we know there is an issue or wait until we can officially be on site. There is no silicone yet but the issue means replacing the tiles on the entire wall of 4 bathrooms. (Yes it's a lot of bathrooms for one house). Fixing after handover would be a pain but would saying something now revealing we've been inside be a big problem? It's a large volume builder and the supervisor changed 2 weeks ago so we don't know him too well yet. Hi @Phil of Sydney You can turn up while the workers are there, then you could point out the defects. Cheers John Get sound legal advice. We manage Building Disputes, Construction Contracts, Security of Payment. PM for queries. https://www.contractsspecialist.com.au/articles/ I believe this is correct. From the picture you can see the power was put in last so the electrician knew where the water was. Really it's a common sense issue more… 4 5152 Joe, it depends on your certifier but we are noticing the ones we deal with are really cracking down. So i would recommend you follow your approved landscaping plans to… 4 10973 Hi Simeon, Thank you for laying it down for us. Makes sense. Appreciate it very much. Have a nice day. Cheers 2 9012 |