If you are building a new house or you have built a house in the past, did you engage a construction lawyer to dot the I and cross the T during the whole build?

ang_ck - 2021-02-13 14:05:00

ang_ck wrote:

If you are building a new house or you have built a house in the past, did you engage a construction lawyer to dot the I and cross the T during the whole build?

very rare. I guess you mean check over your building contract that you enter into with the builder? The problem is especially with the large construction companies its on their terms, if you don't like them you would have to go elsewhere and so on.

gabbysnana - 2021-02-13 14:43:00

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/124144772/homeowner-fights-
to-get-master-builders-to-honour-guarantee

one reason it may be worth it.
especially with the amount of poor designs, mistakes made and hidden etc during building that lead to issues later on.
get as much legal stuff on your side so if it turns to crap you can take swift action.

tweake - 2021-02-13 14:50:00

tweake wrote:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/124144772/hom
eowner-fights-to-get-master-builders-to-honour-guarantee

one reason it may be worth it.
especially with the amount of poor designs, mistakes made and hidden etc during building that lead to issues later on.
get as much legal stuff on your side so if it turns to crap you can take swift action.

That's his own doing, he should of followed up to make sure that the guarantee was in place before he let them continue.
I get asked for insurances on jobs, I produce certificates of current insurances to prove I'm insured.
I'd say in that instance the money just got used up on keeping afloat.

mrcat1 - 2021-02-13 17:37:00

"Master Builders is a private industry marketing and support association for builders," .... that sums it up.
Customer, you got suckered.

masturbidder - 2021-02-14 10:34:00

masturbidder wrote:

"Mast-
er Builders is a private industry marketing and support association for builders," .... that sums it up.
Customer, you got suckered.

that is what I thought. But on the other hand, is there an insurance for the customer when the builder's stuffed up?

I asked the question after reading the stuff news.

ang_ck - 2021-02-14 12:26:00

ang_ck wrote:

that is what I thought. But on the other hand, is there an insurance for the customer when the builder's stuffed up?

I asked the question after reading the stuff news.

There is, but its not mandatory in NZ. In AU its more common (and in some states mandatory) to have builders warranty insurance that covers the owner should the builder go bust during the build (paying the cost of rehiring a new builder) or after by covering rectification of defects.

I believe it should be mandatory here as well.

sparkychap - 2021-02-14 12:38:00

ang_ck wrote:

If you are building a new house or you have built a house in the past, did you engage a construction lawyer to dot the I and cross the T during the whole build?

No, but you need a lawyer versed in these sort of contracts. As has already been identified, in multi unit developments especially, it is difficult to have the developer agree to all but the most inconsequential changes. Some contracts I have seen have been unreasonably favourable to the developer to the point where I have advised against entering the agreement without modification.

johnston - 2021-02-14 15:02:00

I had an architect who dealt with the Council and plans. He had a team of builders that he was familiar with so I used them to build all the framing and put the roofing on. I built all the rest. The building inspector was happy with my work.

trade4us2 - 2021-02-14 15:42:00