Time for claiming extra cost

Building is easy no doubt to the builder who just ignores the client's specifications and build as he normally does! It is a problem to the clients who took the trouble to specify what they want and paid for the contract on that basis! A certain amount of good will requiring compromise between both parties must be fostered for a 'satisfactory' outcome.

It is now 2 years from completion of the PPOR and some time has to be spent fixing what the builder and his sub contractors did. For examples: repainting due to peeling from exterior thresholds and widening drainage outlet to unblock it for washer.

I had to keep quiet while the builder and his sub contractors did it by the easy way, such as under provision of cut lines along the concreted walkways. Some unsightly cracks have opened up.

 

That's why contract administration and supervision are gold. If it's been specified, that's what's required, nothing less, nothing more. If it's not going to work,then it needs to be changed.

 

I spent a year with my builder specifying everything in writing, redesigning and contract variations all in writing, all costed, signed and agreed to. The signed plans were version 6. Into the build we noticed a lot going wrong. The trades all had the version one plans amd the construction supervisor had version 3 plans. Building is not easywhen the construction supervisor has the wrong plans.

This was not a cheap build. It was up there in terms of price but was supposed to be a quality build.

 

Builders are often not as experienced as they think they are. We had to 'worry' for the builder whether he had brought his sub contractors up to date to the variations and priced accordingly. At the same time, we were wary that corners would be cut out of poor planning, budgeting or just impatient malice.

Building a PPOR is like undertaking a tenuous partnership balancing towards the objective of achieving desired quality, finish and value!