Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Jun 20, 2014 9:13 am 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: Some never learn, if it's for free it's a waste of your 2Jun 20, 2014 10:36 am What was that expression that a cheap job costs you twice or something...? That has been my experience in the past too BE. The old adage that " You get what you paid for " is never more truer than when you are talking about the building industry. Stewie Re: Some never learn, if it's for free it's a waste of your 3Jun 20, 2014 11:19 am building-expert Owners instead opted for a free service What was the "free service"? I'm sorry but after our experiences, I have my own take on the "you get what you pay for" mantra as regards the building industry. In fact, "you get what you pay for and ensure you get"! We paid and didn't get because we didn't know you had to do the "ensuring" part. We just assumed that people who tell you they are giving you quality, are actually doing so. Re: Some never learn, if it's for free it's a waste of your 4Jun 20, 2014 11:55 am Liliana building-expert Owners instead opted for a free service What was the "free service"? I'm sorry but after our experiences, I have my own take on the "you get what you pay for" mantra as regards the building industry. In fact, "you get what you pay for and ensure you get"! We paid and didn't get because we didn't know you had to do the "ensuring" part. We just assumed that people who tell you they are giving you quality, are actually doing so. Free service is provided by state government for consumer complaints via Building Commission and CAV where the reports are disgrace and not worth the paper they are printed on (you recently commented on one I posted you said"it's pathetic") and where there is no enforcement. So in many cases it's a waste of time (unless builder cooperates) Yes you are right Liliana, you often don't get what you have paid for because people are either naive or careless with their investment. It's wrong! Until 10,000 angry homeowners march on parliament house and take it over nothing will change. There are too many comfortable lives feathered by owner's misery. In the example above owners settled without getting pre final inspection and apart from serious defects I have found that neither approved plans were followed nor the endorsed PP plans. It's not just about defective works but also cost cutting, substitution and omission. After selling units off the plan developer has diddled owners (my guess 40K x 40 units= 1.6M). NOT A BAD BONUS over and beyond usual 30% profit on development. Anyone care to settle without competent inspection? 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 That sucks! Hope it all works out. Good to move away from steel anyway for all your reasons, but it's also thermally poor. 16 18191 Hi VK, Think it's worth investing time in an Owner Builder course to equip you with basic knowledge on Australian Building Industry and its regulations. Also, I suggest… 11 24105 Caesarstone, quantum zero, Q Stone zero, porcelain. All the manufacturers are pivoting into zero silica materials. Google any of those and have a look. Some are still… 1 1137 |