Contracts
Beware of Escalation Clauses
What Are Escalation Clauses These are a way of allowing for inflation. Basically it provides a way for the builder to increase his costs in line with inflation. The Clause will quote an inflation index which can be used to…
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Delaying Progress Payments
So your builder has just made a claim for a Progress Payment . . . . . but you are not happy with the workmanship, or don’t agree that the Construction Stage is finished. What can you do? A lot of people…
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Using Your Own Building Inspector
I frequently hear of people being told by their Builder “You can’t use your own Building Inspector!” If your builder says that, he is trying to Con You! ……or Breaking The Law! Here is an explanation based on my last…
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Australian Standards
A lot of people people misunderstand how Australian Standards apply to Contracts so here is a quick guide. Standards Australia All Australian Standards (AS) are published by Standards Australia. which is a non-government organisation. It’s role is to meet Australia’s need…
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Contract Meeting Advice
It can seem like an age since you paid the initial deposit for your new house. You have spent ages going through everything at Selection. Surely you can just sign the contract and get started?………….That’s what the builder wants,………… but…
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Using Your Own Tradies
When you look at some of the prices that builders charge for things it makes you wonder if you can get things cheaper by employing your own tradies during the build. Examples are things like: Refrigerated air conditioning. Extra lighting….
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Post Contract Variations
The best advice I can give is: “Avoid making Post Contract Variations” The reasons are: Cost Basically the builder holds all the cards once the contract is signed. They can quote you the top price for the change…..plus a percentage…
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Final Cost – When Do You Find Out?
Some people think that when they pay an initial deposit, and leave the Builders Sales Office they know how much their house will cost…………..If you are unlucky, and/or don’t know how the system works you could be hit for unexpected…
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Contract Documents – Vehicle Access
All Weather Access You will notice in the contract documents a clause relating to ‘All Weather Access’. This normally requires the Landowner to provide all weather access to the site. In other words a hard access from the nearest road…
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If The Builder Goes Bust
House Building can be a high risk business…………..so what happens if the builder of your new house goes bust? Legally Your house building contract should have clauses included for the eventuality of the builder becoming insolvent. Read the contract carefully…
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