Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum 1 Jan 23, 2014 5:52 am Is there a list of schedule that someone can point us too for the order of what and when to do things and get inspections if we decide to go OB? We have a slab only and have terminated our building contract due to it not being laid in accordance with council approved plans ( Council issued a Notice to the builder). We are out of pocket financially ( hopefully Far Trading will rectify this) and other builders are reluctant to build on someone else's slab as he is currently still in business and we can't now afford to get another builder so OB is a good option for us. We have to re-submit our plans to council with new contours, new plans to reflect the changes to the step downs and new engineering for the slab and the now required retaining walls and decks. We have organised all of this so are ready to go and get the OB ticket. We have built 2 homes before with a builder and did a full renovation of a 42sq double storey ourselves and have our own electrical company so feel we are capable and we picked up the height error so we can't do any worse - right? My DH works full time but I am not currently working and have time to get quotes, organise deliveries etc We are just nervous we will miss a step or get something out of order and cause an issue for ourselves...mentally and financially we can't have any other major issues happen due to inexperience. Any suggestions please will be very much appreciated In NSW you need a contract with any job over a certain amount, does everyone actually do this? sign a contract with say the painter, tiler, gyprocker etc? We always get copies of insurance/license from our subbies but not always contracts as they are labour mainly. Re: The order of building what and when to do things? 2Jan 23, 2014 6:13 am Hi Lenny 171 This is going to be a very steep learning curve for you (I hope you have not paid for the slab) but it comes down to carefully selecting your contractors, never paying up front, never paying until work is finished (and verified)(don't believe in sob stories and porkies) checking out references and previous jobs, follow your gut. Your local MBVA and HIA have standard contracts (It's a pain but you must use them) look out for things that don't add up and react quickly, setting up monitoring and checking and a very distant last one "trust". Take my previous advice and get your own independent inspector to guide you and verify work done. It will cost you few grand but is a lot less than another disaster. 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: The order of building what and when to do things? 3Jan 23, 2014 6:53 am building-expert Hi Lenny 171 This is going to be a very steep learning curve for you (I hope you have not paid for the slab) but it comes down to carefully selecting your contractors, never paying up front, never paying until work is finished (and verified)(don't believe in sob stories and porkies) checking out references and previous jobs, follow your gut. Your local MBVA and HIA have standard contracts (It's a pain but you must use them) look out for things that don't add up and react quickly, setting up monitoring and checking and a very distant last one "trust". Take my previous advice and get your own independent inspector to guide you and verify work done. It will cost you few grand but is a lot less than another disaster. This post should be at the top of the Forum - for all to read !!! Re: The order of building what and when to do things? 4Jan 23, 2014 7:31 am Hi Lenny171, Greenify has a thread on here with links to his own spreadsheets and cost calculators: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=63172 Maybe this would be a starting point. Re: The order of building what and when to do things? 5Jan 23, 2014 11:43 am MASSIVE learning curve arrghhh. We are up for it - well we have no choice at this point we can't sell the land it as is. I think unless we simply just get something butt about head in order of how something should be done we will be right with everything else. Our gut instincts have been right so far it was the courage to back it up that was lacking and I wasn't well those few days which didn't help We run a tight ship with our business with contractors and payments so at least we are use to that side of things and no we don't pay anything up front....hmmm what if they want a deposit?? do they do that? I will check out that spreadsheet thanks for that. I can't say too much as it is now with NSW Fair Trading, but we have terminated the contract legally and no payments bar the original 5% (ouch) have been made. Thank you Building Inspector, so a building inspector can act say as a consultant? Re: The order of building what and when to do things? 6Jan 23, 2014 7:23 pm Hi Lenny, You have certainly been given some great advice on this forum. There is heaps of free stuff on subcontractor cost comparisons, estimates, works schedules and scopes of work on my website. There is also lots of other info to get you under control. It still does require some input from you but you are better doing your homework now instead of the the alternative. Good luck Www.greenifyconsulting.com.au Re: The order of building what and when to do things? 9Feb 05, 2014 7:01 pm Hi Guys, Greenify here. I need to sack the accountant for not paying the ISP account. The problem is I am also the accountant! I have been promised my website will be up and running again tonight. For those that are interested if you are having trouble getting finance for your owner builder project I have some good news for you. I will blog and link soon. For urgent help contact my personal email matthew.last@bigpond.com Re: The order of building what and when to do things? 10Feb 10, 2014 8:40 pm Greenify now you have me interested, Nab does 80% but im worried im going to sneak over that on my inital quotes for them. I work in the industry and am too about to start my house, i know how to build a retirement home but there is bound to be some little things there that will stuff me up. Should start my own OB thread and hopefully save some coin along the way Re: The order of building what and when to do things? 11Feb 17, 2014 7:12 pm Hi Schultzie, I have finally got around to writing my blog on getting an owner builder loan. If you check it out you will still find that it is not any easier to get a loan now even though the interest rates are low. In fact it is a bit harder because the lending criteria has changed. This thread is misplaced but to briefly answer your question owner builders are a risk to lenders because statistically owner builders go over budget and time and on top of that poor quality can be an issue. Planning your build thoroughly and convincing your lender you are in control of your project adds considerable weight to their decision whether to lend you money. Add proof you are obtaining professional project management help then you will be in a lot stronger position to get a loan. Professional builders can go broke as we all know. In my opinion and experience an owner builder that is being managed properly can save considerable coin and is still in control of their finances. I wish you luck with you're venture. Re: The order of building what and when to do things? 12Feb 17, 2014 8:32 pm Fortunately i work for a commercial/ domestic builder and im using all my works contractors. I do understand what your saying though about how they lend money, i have budgeted over for everything and then use my contractors to come under... even then i believe im going to struggle to hit the 80% mark. You have a lot of usefull information on your site and i firmly believe that for people less experienced and people that know what to do your services would be invaluable! Shall read your blog now! I am new to this forum so please bear with me. An NCAT order was breach by our neighbour regarding a retaining wall dispute. He is the owner of a building company and he… 0 2208 Depends what you're current inclusions are, but we're not including wardrobes and will just use second hand ones until we can save later on to get them built. Also have a… 3 11632 You should be able to encase the sewer but you will need it designed and approved and access to lot 580 to do the work 2 17163 |