Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Things to note when you review 'Building Specifications' 2Apr 06, 2021 10:01 am Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Things to note when you review 'Building Specifications' 4Apr 09, 2021 9:20 am Make sure you have all the certified documentation cross checked before they start, as mistakes will be costly for both you and the builder. Here are some checks and balances as you start the build 1.As there are trades, material shortages and delays don't pay in advance of work being done to anyone 2.Hire a professional from the start to do at least a few checks , this puts the Builder on notice that Non compliant work will not be tolerated 3.If work requires rectification withhold payments make sure repairs are done immediately, if they walk off payed they seldom return. 4.Builders will try to cash flow their other projects by getting you to pay more upfront. there is no carrot for you 5.Count and take photos of all materials delivered on site make sure it's put into your build and not someone else's 6. Check to see trades are on site and adhere to time frames 7. If it doesn't look right then take photos and ask question, this forum is your friend 8. Avoid posting on other forums that manipulate and block posts, particularly if they are sponsors or have vested interests 9.10 OT Engineering Bim also gives you the tools to do some of the checks/ cross checks yourself, ie, how may bricks, Details, masonry specs,etc Those of us that have been around long enough have seen Boom/Bust cycles.... LOL nothing like this one Cheers Chris Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Things to note when you review 'Building Specifications' 6Sep 29, 2021 2:50 pm @structyralBIMGuy Hi Are you saying it's better to get your own designs then find a builder? Am in the process of building my second home and wanting to have a different experience from my first build. At the moment am leaning towards going with New choice homes Has anyone had anything about them i should look out for? Thanks everyone I read all the posts in this forum- my first time posting. Re: Things to note when you review 'Building Specifications' 7Sep 29, 2021 3:04 pm Hey cleveriy welcome to the forum 100%, Own copyright of your own Design, Engineering and Data Then get 3 Builder to quote, do not pay any deposits that may lock you into variations and price Gouging Builders are going "hell for leather" trying to recoup lost margins Cheers Chris Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Things to note when you review 'Building Specifications' 8Sep 29, 2021 3:42 pm StructuralBIMGuy Hey cleveriy welcome to the forum 100%, Own copyright of your own Design, Engineering and Data Then get 3 Builder to quote, do not pay any deposits that may lock you into variations and price Gouging Builders are going "hell for leather" trying to recoup lost margins Cheers Chris Thank you for your quick reply. Really appreciated. how can i go about getting someone to do my designs? Re: Things to note when you review 'Building Specifications' 9Sep 30, 2021 8:30 am Most free lance designers are feeling the pinch atm and have dropped their rates Shop around 1%-2% is a fair rate. Avoid free sketches from designers they generally get secret commissions 3%-4% added in by the builders ( Sweetheart Deals). The designers also like builders doing their own final drawings/engineering where's their is more scope for changes, increases and price gouging throughout the process . Break the mould of 1. free sketch and free estimate.. by definition anything free has no value 2. Preparation of plan agreement, pay initial deposit... make changes and watch the price increase 3. Final contract preparation ie building docs .... bad luck the engineering and site works have been finalised your build has gone up a further $50K (humour) You can avoid this by going to planning with prelim engineering yourself without a builder. BTW, when you engage a builder, Tell them to price up and build what's approved, no changes, non compliance will not be tolerated and the build will be independently checked and certified at critical stages. Can't be more fair than that, if they don't agree then they are not for you, walk out Cheers Chris Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Thanks for your reply! All valid points and I agree with you on many of them. I am in QLD, any recommendations on a construction lawyer would be helpful 3 2796 i thought the flipped plan initially but bec i want narrow pathway from entry to dining (dont like bend), also cannot fit the… 7 17719 It is true that a builder can ignore your independent inspection report as it is not part of the contractual arrangement but that is stupid because he cannot avoid fixing… 9 47165 |