Browse Forums General Discussion Re: Coronavirus Impact to Build/On-Site Meetings. 17Apr 14, 2020 7:00 pm Norfolk I think a concern of some forum members currently in the construction phase is that, due to some builders‘ COVID-19 site restrictions, they will be unable to inspect their homes, or to even pay professional private inspectors to do this on their behalf. The volume builder business model and their production process does not allow for builders’ quality inspections during the build. The new COVID-19 situation actually suits them and some less ethical builders may take advantage of this to stop diligent owners, or their professional inspectors finding defects mid build that fixing might delay the project, and their progress stage payments. Site supervisors typically don’t check the quality of contractors workmanship. They press the 'stage complete' button on their project workflow app without checking contractors' workmanship. This app is linked to usually builders accounting software and it immediately generates the progress stage invoice. The site supervisor's KPI's are focussed on completion of stages, not quality. Any quality checking during the build is basically novated to the customer and, if no checking on site is permitted during the build, defects will be covered up by subsequent works, or only identified later at practical completion or during the warranty phase when it’s too late to practically fix them. At the moment builders are working flat out to complete stages and get their customers' progress payments in ASAP. If their contractors' work is not checked, (and the contractors know it won't be checked) then in this new environment it's inevitable that the quality of some large volume builders will be even further compromised. Its part of my job to change that mentality of the project builders Re: Coronavirus Impact to Build/On-Site Meetings. 18Apr 15, 2020 12:31 pm Norts33 I have just received a communication from our builder today advising the following: Due to the circumstances worldwide with the Caronavirus, we will be limiting onsite meetings until final inspection near the completion of the build until the federal government policies change to ensure the safety of all clients, office staff and supervisors/ trades out onsite. We understand this may not be ideal and wanting to see the internal works of the home is important however as you can appreciate as we have been advised as an essential company at this time, when the restrictions tighten we are not sure how long we will remain as an essential company so we are putting all we can into building your homes promptly with the best quality. We are more than happy to accommodate to providing more images of works internally at homes from the supervisors onsite so you can view the works completed. I understand that the Coronavirus may cause some restrictions and is having an impact on a lot of businesses and everyday life, but it seems as though the Builder is using this to their advantage now by saying in a separate communication that there will be delays with trades/materials as a result and that there are to be no more on-site meetings until final inspection (We are not even half way through the build yet), in other words the less people looking at the job, the less headaches we will have! Appreciate any feedback. Cheers, Norts33 are you able to share the name of your builder? Re: Coronavirus Impact to Build/On-Site Meetings. 19May 22, 2020 9:37 am Boro I'd rather not at this stage as we are still in construction. I did push back on this with the builder though and said that the contract states that we would be granted reasonable access, which we have been provided ever since. There would be a lot out there though who would just accept it and not challenge it at all which does not seem right as you should be able to walk through at each stage to inspect the progress of your new home. It's a big investment! Cheers, Norts33 Re: Coronavirus Impact to Build/On-Site Meetings. 20Jul 31, 2020 2:33 pm Hi All, Does anyone know what the regulations are for onsite meetings now that we (Victorians) are back in lockdown? Can we still meet with the Building Supervisor for a progress update meeting onsite? I have my builder once again trying to restrict on-site access for a progress update until handover which is frustrating as they are trying to press on with work without rectifying items identified in our Darbecca stage inspections which I want to ensure are being seen to before tiling etc. covers up any areas of concern. Any feedback would be appreciated. Cheers, Norts33 For reference, this is the Austlii reference. My take on this is, that they would be breaking the law denying access to a homeowner in Victoria, or their agent from having… 1 9098 8 6156 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… 7 17615 |