Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Feb 20, 2022 8:04 pm Hi The Plan for the house currently getting built lacks details and does not come with specifications and finishes. A Tender was provided at an early stage of the contract with Builder allowance. I am in a stage where we have started to select our finishes, taps etc... The builder has been accommodating so far to allow us to select our own carpet, laminate and kitchen finishes. This came with a bonus to Builder as we managed to pick the finishes at a low price during the financial year last year. Basically, we save the builder a fair bit of money. However, when it came to taps, tub basin, vanity etc… The Builder is refusing and has mentioned he will not allow any more changes. 1. Under the Tender ( Not signed by both parties) we are limited to Builders Range as detailed below. It does not spec. vanity, basin and details selection by the client with the allocated allowance in Builders Range? 2. The Contract does not mention the Tender doc. anywhere and is not a binding document to the Contract. 3. Under Master Builders Contract – The builder can refuse any variation. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ We have indicated we will pay the difference + any applicable Builders Margin (which is not indicated under the Contract). What are my options? Re: Builders Range and Variation 2Feb 21, 2022 9:30 am Beetroot_Juice Hi The Plan for the house currently getting built lacks details and does not come with specifications and finishes. A Tender was provided at an early stage of the contract with Builder allowance. I am in a stage where we have started to select our finishes, taps etc....... I am sure you will bargain down your replacement fittings. Modus operandi is to soften up on the door handles and gouge back on the big tick items, But first they will want more deposit from you? No doubt they will make up for it on the siteworks and engineering. My2c resist handing over any more money. Help! I just got a draft contract Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Builders Range and Variation 3Feb 21, 2022 10:11 am What's said by the salesperson or written in the tender is irrelevant. The final contract governs the specifications, pricing, commercial and legal elements of the project. You will need to either negotiate variations or accept whats whithin it. Re: Builders Range and Variation 4Feb 22, 2022 12:04 am Kippers01 What's said by the salesperson or written in the tender is irrelevant. The final contract governs the specifications, pricing, commercial and legal elements of the project. You will need to either negotiate variations or accept whats whithin it. My issue is that there are no references to any drawings, spec. in the MBA contract schedule 3. It does not detail any inclusion or exclusions . Can a deed of the amendment be issued? My Conveyancer reviewed and has singed on the contract and this was not picked up on Re: Builders Range and Variation 5Feb 22, 2022 4:36 am There are shortages to certain types of taps / vanity / fittings at the moment. Maybe the builder is worried that if he accepted the variation and the items not available, it will open up can of worms for him. It will delay the build which costs him money and you will be even more upset to him as a client. If you ask him whether you can source the items yourself and get him to install them, would he be more willing to do that and work out some sort of credit with him? Just make sure that the items you choose have relevant certifications (e.g. watermark). Re: Builders Range and Variation 6Feb 22, 2022 8:06 am Oakland Projects There are shortages to certain types of taps / vanity / fittings at the moment. Maybe the builder is worried that if he accepted the variation and the items not available, it will open up can of worms for him. It will delay the build which costs him money and you will be even more upset to him as a client. If you ask him whether you can source the items yourself and get him to install them, would he be more willing to do that and work out some sort of credit with him? Just make sure that the items you choose have relevant certifications (e.g. watermark). I have already sourced my product, it's to Aus. spec. and is available for delivery + 10 years warranty. His product has no brand, cheap import with 1 year of warranty. My guess is his profit margin. The question is can he actually stop me from choosing my product. A home I will be living in for the next 10 + years and will be paying for it. It is unreasonable and under MBA contract clause 15, I am within my rights. The Builder just does not get it. Re: Builders Range and Variation 8Feb 22, 2022 11:39 pm On second read, another alternative is that you are providing the item but you expect the builder to install it for no additional cost? If so, then in my experience it doesn’t work like that. Like you said they will be looking to recoup the builders margin they missed out on as a result of you buying the item, so will ‘charge’ extra for installation. Re: Builders Range and Variation 9Feb 23, 2022 1:05 am AnjC On second read, another alternative is that you are providing the item but you expect the builder to install it for no additional cost? If so, then in my experience it doesn’t work like that. Like you said they will be looking to recoup the builders margin they missed out on as a result of you buying the item, so will ‘charge’ extra for installation. It all depends. If it's a tap like for like , different brand then no additional payment. However if additional work is required I will compensate the builder. For example I have requested for inwall cistern and will pay accordingly. Re: Builders Range and Variation 10Feb 23, 2022 5:16 am Have you started construction yet? What stages is the construction currently? Re: Builders Range and Variation 11Feb 23, 2022 10:48 am Oakland Projects Have you started construction yet? What stages is the construction currently? Yes - it has started but been slow due to weather in Sydney and shortage of materials. Frame and walls are up and expect external cladding to upper level done by mid March. Roofing has not been done due shortage of insulation. Re: Builders Range and Variation 12Feb 23, 2022 4:05 pm In-wall cistern is one of those things that needs to be communicated to the builder at tender stage. They generally require a stud opening of around 600mm width x 1500mm height depending on the brand. You will also need to tell the builder the brand of the toilet suite that you prefer at tender stage as that impacts the position of the waste pipe. So if the frames are already up and the stud opening is less than what it should be, there is a significant amount of work to fit the in-wall cistern. On top of that, if the waste pipes are way out from where it should be, the slab will need to be jackhammered and the pipes need to be re-routed. Can it be done during the build? Yes. But at a significant cost and pain. Re: Builders Range and Variation 13Feb 23, 2022 10:58 pm Oakland Projects In-wall cistern is one of those things that needs to be communicated to the builder at tender stage. They generally require a stud opening of around 600mm width x 1500mm height depending on the brand. You will also need to tell the builder the brand of the toilet suite that you prefer at tender stage as that impacts the position of the waste pipe. So if the frames are already up and the stud opening is less than what it should be, there is a significant amount of work to fit the in-wall cistern. On top of that, if the waste pipes are way out from where it should be, the slab will need to be jackhammered and the pipes need to be re-routed. Can it be done during the build? Yes. But at a significant cost and pain. It was communicated and documented before construction. The type. of system was to be specified and they are very similar in size. Initially, the cistern was to be placed into 90 mm stud wall which is not ideal doesn't matter if there are acoustic batts and it will echo when flushed or filling up. Building a false wall to the front of a new stud is ideal and will cost nothing. The waste pipe was placed in an incorrect location despite detailing to the builder before the concrete wall was poured. Luckily it's not much of variance and we can connect the toilet with S trap connector. I work with owner, he/she is my man on the ground and I instruct them when to visit the site and take photos and I have other tools in the bag. 4 16357 Looking for advice on whether this variation in tile colour is acceptable. The large tile on the left was used in my main bathroom renovation 1 year ago. My ensuite… 0 8955 yes it does, you've just not understood it. theres a difference. 4 5981 |