Building work - what sort of paperwork should we get?
Discussion
Hi All,
We're getting some work done on our house. In total, we'll be knocking the kitchen and dining room together, refitting the kitchen, putting in a downstairs toilet, doing a loft conversion and having a single storey extension.
The builder we've chosen has already completed very similar work to a very good standard for friends of ours, and all the necessary planning and building regulation stuff has been secured, and unlike some of the other builders we got quotes from, he takes payment in fairly small chunks as the job progresses. None of this 30% or more up front rubbish.
We managed to get the first phase done (all but the loft conversion and the extension) as a last minute affair starting on the day we went on holiday. It was done on a handshake and a relatively small amount of cash to get them started.
The quality of the work to date has been very good - certainly well worth what we've paid him - but before we get into the really major structural stuff, I'm wondering exactly what documentation and/or contracts are recommended as a minimum?
From what we've seen, I have absolutely no reason to assume we couldn't pretty much just continue as we have been to date and have everything run perfectly, but I'd rather make sure we're covered, just in case! Does anyone have any templates or anything?
We're getting some work done on our house. In total, we'll be knocking the kitchen and dining room together, refitting the kitchen, putting in a downstairs toilet, doing a loft conversion and having a single storey extension.
The builder we've chosen has already completed very similar work to a very good standard for friends of ours, and all the necessary planning and building regulation stuff has been secured, and unlike some of the other builders we got quotes from, he takes payment in fairly small chunks as the job progresses. None of this 30% or more up front rubbish.
We managed to get the first phase done (all but the loft conversion and the extension) as a last minute affair starting on the day we went on holiday. It was done on a handshake and a relatively small amount of cash to get them started.
The quality of the work to date has been very good - certainly well worth what we've paid him - but before we get into the really major structural stuff, I'm wondering exactly what documentation and/or contracts are recommended as a minimum?
From what we've seen, I have absolutely no reason to assume we couldn't pretty much just continue as we have been to date and have everything run perfectly, but I'd rather make sure we're covered, just in case! Does anyone have any templates or anything?
Hi
Have just given the go ahead on a Loft Conversion and an extension. We have a complete breakdown of the job to the point of the number of plug points etc. and a costing based on that. Also we have a small deposit 5% or so and the balance on completion which gives them every incentive to get the work done on time. We will receive the precise drawings within a week or so (have had preliminary design but of course the precise blueprints are what we will comment on) and can at that stage discuss issues etc.
Due to the time interval of the job I will have plenty of opportunity to inspect the work each evening and weekend so I am pretty confident that any issues (and there are always issues with complicated tasks) are dealt with at the time.
Maybe a loft and extension are beyond a handshake and good will due to the complexity and money involved.
Have just given the go ahead on a Loft Conversion and an extension. We have a complete breakdown of the job to the point of the number of plug points etc. and a costing based on that. Also we have a small deposit 5% or so and the balance on completion which gives them every incentive to get the work done on time. We will receive the precise drawings within a week or so (have had preliminary design but of course the precise blueprints are what we will comment on) and can at that stage discuss issues etc.
Due to the time interval of the job I will have plenty of opportunity to inspect the work each evening and weekend so I am pretty confident that any issues (and there are always issues with complicated tasks) are dealt with at the time.
Maybe a loft and extension are beyond a handshake and good will due to the complexity and money involved.
Edited by SLacKer on Monday 24th August 17:37
SLacKer said:
Hi
Have just given the go ahead on a Loft Conversion and an extension. We have a complete breakdown of the job to the point of the number of plug points etc. and a costing based on that. Also we have a small deposit 5% or so and the balance on completion which gives them every incentive to get the work done on time. We will receive the precise drawings within a week or so (have had preliminary design but of course the precise blueprints are what we will comment on) and can at that stage discuss issues etc.
Due to the time interval of the job I will have plenty of opportunity to inspect the work each evening and weekend so I am pretty confident that any issues (and there are always issues with complicated tasks) are dealt with at the time.
Maybe a loft and extension are beyond a handshake and good will due to the complexity and money involved.
That's more or less where we are if we factor in the initial quote. It's not so much the plans I'm concerned about as the contractual side of what happens if something were to go wrong.Have just given the go ahead on a Loft Conversion and an extension. We have a complete breakdown of the job to the point of the number of plug points etc. and a costing based on that. Also we have a small deposit 5% or so and the balance on completion which gives them every incentive to get the work done on time. We will receive the precise drawings within a week or so (have had preliminary design but of course the precise blueprints are what we will comment on) and can at that stage discuss issues etc.
Due to the time interval of the job I will have plenty of opportunity to inspect the work each evening and weekend so I am pretty confident that any issues (and there are always issues with complicated tasks) are dealt with at the time.
Maybe a loft and extension are beyond a handshake and good will due to the complexity and money involved.
There a simple form of contract which covers your type of work. 'Building Contract for Home Owner / Occupiers' obtained from C.I.P. 60 New Coventry Road, Birmingham, B26-3AY at the cost of £9.95.
It covers all aspects of work by giving simple headings like Cost, design drawings, time scale, payments, insurance ete.
You complete each section in conjuction with the contractor and both sign.
It's produced by 'The Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT)and as the backing of the Law Society / Plain English Campian. It's also accepted in court should the 's**t it the fan'
If the contractor does not want to sign 'walk' unless he can produce his own industry equalent form of contract.
Rember most disputes fall down through lax of paper work / contract.
Hope this helps
It covers all aspects of work by giving simple headings like Cost, design drawings, time scale, payments, insurance ete.
You complete each section in conjuction with the contractor and both sign.
It's produced by 'The Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT)and as the backing of the Law Society / Plain English Campian. It's also accepted in court should the 's**t it the fan'
If the contractor does not want to sign 'walk' unless he can produce his own industry equalent form of contract.
Rember most disputes fall down through lax of paper work / contract.
Hope this helps
herbialfa said:
Plus if he is not willing to get into a paper agreement you should ask yourself why!
I've no reason to assume he isn't. It just hasn't come up until now, and I just wanted to check what was normal.As said previously, he has already done some minor work for us and major work for friends, all to a high standard, within budget and on time, plus he only lives in the next road over from us, so it's not like I wouldn't know where to find him in a worst case scenarion!
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