BEFORE YOU CHOOSE YOUR BUILDER: - In my professional opinion you should first ask yourself some very important questions, WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHY and HOW.
A. The economic climate of the construction industry is weathering hard times, and builders are always looking to find cost effective solutions, however cost effective solutions don’t always equate to quality final result. A lot of builders have hidden extras and variations which have not been included in their initial quote. The initial quote may seem better but in actual fact you are likely to end up paying a lot more for ‘extras’ by the end of the building process. If however similar materials have been used when quoting then material costs and subcontractors costs should be within a comparable range, meaning the actual building costs are similar if not the same. BUT something has to give in order for one quote to be significant less than the other. NOBODY works for free so what has been missed in order to secure your family home? Too often quality is sacrificed for quantity. Job turnover is not a recipe for a quality product nor is it the way to build longevity or success in a company.
A. When you have quotes that are of a similar costing, it’s imperative to compare what items you’re getting for your money. Why have certain materials been chosen and how will they be installed. Quality of fittings and fixtures differ greatly. It is important to understand what is required for your build and exactly what you are paying for. Does the quote include floor coverings and underlay and if so what quality will they be? Window furnishings, are they included? How much m2 concrete has been allowed for your entrance and driveway and what is the finishing grade? How many lights are required and the quality of the light fittings? Is the air conditioning system capable of meeting your demands? These are just a few of the points that you should be clear on when assessing different quotes. Clifford built will happily take you through our quote in detail and clarify any and all points for you. Clear communication is the best way to achieve your dream home within your budget. Clifford built believes when a builder says ‘turnkey fixed price’ that is exactly what it means with no hidden extras or costs.
A. Buying power and squeezing the subcontractor pricing down. You have to ask yourself what does this sacrifice. What care is taken when subcontractors’ rates are reduced when constructing your home? Is the quality control to the same standard or is quality once again being sacrificed for quantity.
A. Clifford Built uses the same professional tradesman on most jobs. The tradesmen used by Clifford built have proven themselves time and time again to be professional, very competent tradesman who provide a finished product of the highest standard. Clifford built has complete knowledge of who is on your site at all times as we are a very hands on building company. We manage builds from start to finish and have the utmost confidence in all trades who step foot on your site. We know and trust every tradesman who will assist in the construction of your home. As the head builder of Clifford built Reece manages all sites all of the time.
Reece builder owner of Clifford Built has the information to help you through the initial process
Both are terms used to define the floor area of a home. One “square” refers to a measurement of 100 square feet, whereas one “square metre” is 1 metre x 1 metre.
The initial deposit 5% payable to complete the deposit at the time of signing your New Home Contract or when an insurance policy in relation to your contract has been issued
Reece, will guide you through the first stages of the process. Once you provide the balance of deposit and sign the New Home Contract, and will also assist you personally through the remainder of the building process.
All boundary pegs must be visible and accurate in order for the site survey and the site, soil reports to be completed. Your New Home Contract cannot be prepared without having these reports.
HELPFUL HINT: If settlement of your land has not occurred, it is in your best interests to have a condition included in your Contract of Sale for the purchase of your land stating that the property boundaries must be established before settlement of your purchase of land occurs.
You may need to erect a sign on the land showing the owner’s name, or the lot or street number.
When you pay the initial deposit and sign the Agreement to Proceed, you authorise us to commence preliminary works in preparation for building on the land. These works include a site inspection of the land, a soil test and foundation design, a contour and feature survey of the land, a draining design and engineering design if required, in addition to preparation of your contract documentation. The initial deposit goes towards the cost incurred in carrying out these investigations and undertakings and is therefore not refunded.
A ‘site and soil’ test allows us to determine the soil conditions and site formations so that a design for the foundations for your new home can be specifically tailored to suit your site.
Each block of land is different and we need to accurately determine the cost to build on the land. This information is provided by engineers and other consultants and requested from various regulatory authorities such as your local council, water boards etc.
A copy of your Certificate of Title can be acquired from your solicitor or conveyancer. If the Certificate of Title is not in your name, you need a letter from either your solicitor or conveyancer to confirm that settlement of your land has taken place.
If your lot is not serviced by sewerage, a septic tank or treatment plant is required. Your septic system can be included in your New Home Contract as a provisional allowance. If you want to supply, install and pay separately for the septic tank or treatment plant, you need to advise your Sales Consultant at the time the New Home Contract is signed of your intention to organise the supply and installation of the septic system. Either way, you will need to organise an on-site meeting with the local environmental health inspector and a licensed plumber completing the works on your behalf to determine the type and location of the system. Once you know the type of system you need, you should apply for a Septic Permit in conjunction with the licensed plumber and the local authority. A Septic Permit forms part of a planning approval and is required prior to obtaining a Building Permit. You will be required to sign this application form and you will be liable for all fees (through the amount specified on your provisional allowance or paid direct by you if you are arranging supply and installation). If you want us to complete the application on your behalf, you will incur an additional fee that is payable with your final payment under the New Home Contract.
Note: If you are arranging supply and installation of the septic works, these works have to be completed prior to completion of our building works in order for the building surveyor to issue the final completion notice – the Occupancy Permit. Clifford Built will not be liable for any timing penalties as a result of delayed septic works. In addition, these contractors need to hold the required certification, OHS qualifications, work cover, income protection and public liability insurances etc, and can provide the service within our required timeframes and to our quality standard
If your block is designated in a bushfire zone by your local council, additional costs will be incurred due to extra safety measures that need to be added to your home to comply with local authority regulations. You may be required to obtain a Planning Permit. If you object to this zoning, it is your responsibility to contact your local council.
Most new subdivisions comply with the relevant flood zone requirements. However, in older areas and subdivisions, the actual land may be below the designated Australian Height Datum levels (AHD). If your block is designated in a flood zone by your local council, additional costs may be incurred to raise the base and slab structure to comply with the AHD and with local authority regulations. You may be required to obtain a Planning Permit
Yes, Clifford Built has a great range of upgraded inclusion options available for you to choose from.
You will need to select your tiles from a supplier of your choice prior to your home colour selection appointment. We will calculate the quantities of the tiles required to complete your home and inform you of those quantities. You are then responsible for the ordering and delivery of these tiles to the site when requested by your Building Supervisor. The cost for the laying of tiles is included in your contract.
Note: All tiles must be straight, square (90 degree corners) and flat. Border/capping tiles and diagonal laying of tiles will affect quantities of floor tiles and are not included as standard. Therefore, the quantity allowances may vary and additional labour costs will be incurred.
If a mortgage is required, we will need a copy of the Loan Approval Letter authorised by your financial institution confirming that you have arranged your finance, and a letter confirming your capacity to pay. As soon as you have signed your mortgage documents, we will need the Mortgage Confirmation Letter signed and stamped by the bank. If a mortgage is not required, we required a Verification of Funds Letter, authorised and returned by your financial institution, or a copy of your current bank statement or evidence of your current investments. When you receive your signed New Home Contract, you will be sent other documents that you will need to have signed by your financial institution.
Your New Home Contract will contain the following documents:
You are entitled to make changes to your previous choices without incurring fees when you go through the New Home Contract with your Dennis Family Homes Sales Consultant and when you choose the colours and other inclusions at your colour appointment. These need to be finalised within five working days of contract signing.
A variation is a change, addition or deletion to the New Home Contract. Any variation made after Building Contract signing will incur an administration fee of $500, as well as the cost of the variation.
Yes, before construction has commenced. However, some variations such as structural variations will delay Clifford Built from starting work on your new home and from completing your home within the agreed timeframes. A minimum of seven days will be added to your completion date as well as a $500 administration fee and the cost of the variation. If the change relates to windows, the floor area, floor coverings or the home siting, a drafting and estimating fee ($1,000 minimum) and an energy re-rating fee also apply. These are charged as a separate cost on the variation.
No. There are a number of issues associated with any variation requested while your home is under construction. Accordingly, Clifford Built does not allow variations to your home design once construction has commenced.
Full payment for variations must be made on the day of next stage completion. Remember to budget for these variations. If you require the variations to be financed, you must forward copies of all variations with your contract to your financial institution when applying for finance.
No. Clifford Built will arrange the building insurance for your new home while under construction. Clifford Built Insurance is ordered when we receive your signed New Home Contract. You will receive a copy and information booklet from us prior to commencement of construction on your site.
Note: This building insurance does not cover any items that you have supplied. If you require insurance for these items, you will need to insure them separately.
Note: You will need to arrange building insurance cover from the day you take possession of your home (Settlement).
You must ensure that your block of land is clearly identified by survey pegs so that works can proceed without delay. If survey pegs cannot be found, it will be necessary for you to arrange, at your expense, for a licensed surveyor to re-establish the property boundaries. We cannot commence building unless all survey pegs are visible and accurate, as we cannot use existing fencing as a reference for the positioning of the slab.
HELPFUL HINT: If settlement of your land has not occurred, it is in your best interests to have this included in your Contract of Sale for the purchase of your land as a condition so that you are not paying an additional cost at this late stage.
Site start is the building term used to describe the time when building works physically commence on your land.
In limited circumstances when the tradespersons are pre-approved by Clifford Built, hold the required certification, OHS qualifications, work cover, income protection and public liability insurances etc, and can provide the service within our required timeframes, to our quality standards and within our acceptable rates
No. Due to current Work Cover legislation and Home Owner Warranty requirements, you cannot nominate to undertake any additional works until after the building completion (handover and settlement) has taken place with Dennis Family Homes
Progress payments are required as each stage is completed. You will be sent an invoice and it is your responsibility to forward this invoice to your lending authority for payment to be made. Payments are to be made within nominated days of receiving the invoice.
Yes, you can make an appointment with your Builder to visit the construction site during normal business hours. We require a minimum of 24 hours notice. All visits must be made under our supervision as your home is a construction site. You may be endangering yourself and others (tradespeople) by visiting the site unannounced or after hours. Unauthorised entry is not permitted and construction keys will not be given out
you will need to make an appointment with Clifford Built to arrange for the measuring for curtains, carpets and other fittings. Visits can only be made during the course of the day while tradesmen are on-site.
We suggest the best time to take your measurements is when the painters commence work. A home will not be left open on the basis that someone else will lock up. Please note that carpets and curtains can only be installed once handover and settlement has taken place.
You need to provide a bank cheque at settlement. Personal cheques won’t be accepted. Some banks offer Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), but we do not recommend this process.
Occasionally, materials that have been ordered are not available from suppliers when delivery is required. Should this occur, we will notify you as soon as possible of any time delay expected for these materials. In this situation, you will have to decide whether to accept the delay and the effect this will have on your completion date, or choose an alternative material or colour. If this occurs, we will guide you through the process and record the change as a variation which is signed by all parties. Any time delay is added to your overall contract time. There is no administration fee for this variation.
Before the home is settled you will need to insure your house to be effective on the day of handover and settlement. You will need to insure the building as well as the contents. Make sure the settlement date is confirmed.
Your new standard appliances are all guaranteed by a manufacturer’s warranty. Make sure you check all manuals for the correct warranty period and home owner’s servicing requirements. Ovens, heating systems and air-conditioning units are usually covered by the manufacturer’s warranty from the date on the hand over.
At the handover and settlement meeting, we give you the Foundation Maintenance and Footing Performance – A Homeowner’s Guide leaflet. Take time to read the information when received. In addition, we can offer the following advice:
HELPFUL HINTS:
Termite protection – If your home has termite protection, make sure you comply with the appropriate and mandatory warranty conditions relevant to the system provided (e.g. visual inspections). Ensure that all drainage is directed away from the home. If Protectant was used, there should also be a 75mm clearance above a path or garden bed.
Internal pipes – Always keep an eye on the PVC waste pipes in the kitchen, laundry, bathroom and ensuite. All new PVC pipes expand and contract for the first few weeks. So keep an eye out for any leaks. Simply tighten by hand if leaks occur.
Curtains and pelmets – Ensure brackets for curtains and pelmets are screwed to the timber frame – i.e. studs and trimmers – and not into the architraves.
Floor tiles – Make sure when purchasing your floor tiles (regional areas only) that you have a spare box of tiles remaining so that they can be easily replaced if damaged.
Your standard appliances are covered by the specific manufacturer’s warranty. These brochures are provided to you at the handover. Contact the manufacturer direct. Ovens, heating systems and air-conditioning units are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty from the date of the hand over.
Upon completion of paint work, the painter will leave behind touch-up tins of the paint or stain used. Keep them in a dry area so that any touch-ups in the future are as close as possible to the original colour. In addition, the details of the paint formulas for the colours are provided on the touch-up paint tins left behind. Your local Paint distribution outlet should be able to match any additional paint required, of any quantity, at a later stage in accordance with the formulas.
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