Written contract for builders - good idea?

navig8r

When will you be required to make any payments? I have in some contracting jobs found that once you pay up to the value of or in advance of any work done and another job crops up with more money they may start to put off your job in favour of the other. Not all buiders are like this but its something to wary of.
Dave

babyangel10

Thanks again, I actually spoke to them last night and they said they wouldn't be able to start for another 8-10 weeks as they were booked up until then, so at least they seem to be fairly busy.

The next question, folks! He asked me if I'd had any thoughts about whether I wanted Full Building Plans or a Building Notice. Any thoughts welcomed on this cos I haven't a clue. I've had a read on it, but it seems very complicated to me (and I'm fairly intelligent! )

He did originally suggest a notice, as there is a 6-8 week time delay with building plans applications (in addition to the 8 weeks for planning), plus you have to pay for an architect or whoever to do the spec, but he was explaining that a notice means you do it your way and the inspector could tell you to change it, or go for plans and then they tell you how to do it. So it's a bit of a gamble really I suppose?

He said he is very confident that his work complies with the regs anyway as he tends to use (as one example) thicker joists than the required minimum and suchlike. He's been in the biz for 40 years, so hopefully he knows his stuff?

It's just that if this is the case it seems a bit daft forking out for architects again when it hopefully wouldn't be necessary anyway.

Anyone got any advice please? Or idea of rough cost of what an architect charges? I haven't a clue if it's about £100 or £1000! My own architect who drew up the plans is my cousin, but she has kindly bogged off to Oz for 6 weeks as of yesterday! ( I had told her that I was going for the notice, else she may have helped with the spec)

As for payment schedules, he said that he would pop round in a few days to show me how they do things and at what stage each payment is required. Plus, he has stated on many occasions that they NEVER leave a job to go off and do another - they stay with you until you are 100% happy. He was very thorough in his replies and explanations and they do seem very fair in how they do things, so I do feel pretty confident in him - just hope it's not all talk eh?! :eek:

Oh, what a kerfuffle!

I won't be online again to see any replies until Sunday night, but thanks in advance for your help.

Tom_Jones

I thought you had full plans + permission ? personally unless you know your contractor well then that's the way to go, as you'll have full building regs.

A payment schedule should be 20% for foundations, another 40% for putting the roof on and windows etc, 20% for most of the interior/exterior work inc plumbing, plastering, carpentry and 20% at the end of the job.

BTW one of the biggest lies us builders tell you is that we'll be there everyday, not me of course

babyangel10

Thanks Tom_Jones - I see from my first post that it reads that I have already got planning! (makes mental note to re-read posts before posting so they make sense! )

I have submitted the plans to the council, for which a decision is due on 28th Feb, but being as the builder originally recommended going for just the Building Notice, rather than Full Building Plans, then I haven't done anything about that yet.

Just wasn't sure which option was the best, and if it was to be Full Building Plans, then does anyone have a rough figure of what an Architect or Tech Drawer would charge?

I know the regs application (or notice) is about £500, though.

Also, what likely things does an inspector pick up on to be corrected if I only go for a Building Notice? Or is that a daft question?

Man, I need a drink!

babyangel10

Me again! Have also got the original plans/drawing specs from when the house was built in 1999, if that would be of use if I were to go for the Building Notice option?

TIA

Tom_Jones

Seriously if you don't know your builder well, and that they know building regs inside out then avoid the building notice route at all costs, it could turn out to be a nightmare, one further point if you are financing via your mortgage company the may not lend you the money without full planning approval