TomCat's new digs!

[blackcat20]

ooh - that doesn’t sound good

It's not. Something about engineering having to adjust things to add stud walls (how does a builder forget walls?!) then back to council to have the permit reissued

 

[Pushka]

It's not. Something about engineering having to adjust things to add stud walls (how does a builder forget walls?!) then back to council to have the permit reissued

Well, the question begs, did the council actually approve the house without the stud walls? Sounds a bit suss to me.

 

[Flying mermaid]

It's not. Something about engineering having to adjust things to add stud walls (how does a builder forget walls?!) then back to council to have the permit reissued

thats ridiculous . I mean seriously it’s not like it is something unusual

 

[serfty]

I reckon the builder is stalling ...

 

[Pushka]

I reckon the builder is stalling ...

Yep. That was my thinking too in saying it was suss. Council would not approve a house without the internal stud walls.

 

[JessicaTam]

You could ask to see the plans that the council approved. They will soon show if the builder is full of, well, builder-dust.

 

[travelislife]

It's not. Something about engineering having to adjust things to add stud walls (how does a builder forget walls?!) then back to council to have the permit reissued

There is no way they use council building surveyors. Private building surveyors can issue BP’s same day as long as the docs are correct.

They are stalling purposely by the look of it.

 

[travelislife]

Yep. That was my thinking too in saying it was suss. Council would not approve a house without the internal stud walls.

Council has no say on the location of internal stud walls. Can move them all you like as long as you get it engineered and signed off by a private surveyor.

 

[Pushka]

Council has no say on the location of internal stud walls. Can move them all you like as long as you get it engineered and signed off by a private surveyor.

So what did they get signed off originally then?

 

[travelislife]

So what did they get signed off originally then?

Planning permits which council issue are all about building envelope and external walls and dimensions. The plans are actually very basic as submitted to council. The number of bedrooms can matter. But room sizes, walls etc. are all assessed under the NCC and reviewed and approved by the building surveyor, not the council.

 

[Pushka]

Planning permits which council issue are all about building envelope and external walls and dimensions. The plans are actually very basic as submitted to council. The number of bedrooms can matter. But room sizes, walls etc. are all assessed under the NCC and reviewed and approved by the building surveyor, not the council.

Then why do the plans have to go back to the council then.

 

[travelislife]

Then why do the plans have to go back to the council then.

That is the first question I would be asking as it sounds suss!

The building surveyor maybe, as they may have picked up some errors on the drawings that they have requested are rectified prior to building permit issue.

 

[Pushka]

That is the first question I would be asking as it sounds suss!

The building surveyor maybe, as they may have picked up some errors on the drawings that they have requested are rectified prior to building permit issue.

So we are all a little dubious then. Regardless of the process.

 

[blackcat20]

I agree that it sounds like theyre stalling, as they were obliged to start this Thursday but dont appear ready. Given its one of their standard house plans with no structural changes, I dont think its possible to have forgotten to include walls

The email says:

A slight amendment was made to the engineering design to accommodate the stud walls. The amended plan has been received from the engineer, however, as a result we are required to have the amended plans reviewed and approved from the building surveyor as the differ to the plans issued with the building permit. The amended building permit was submitted today.

 

[travelislife]

I agree that it sounds like theyre stalling, as they were obliged to start this Thursday but dont appear ready. Given its one of their standard house plans with no structural changes, I dont think its possible to have forgotten to include walls

The email says:

That actually all sounds correct and legitimate. Very common. Do you know do they build with timber or steel for their studs? Doesn’t mention council anywhere, so not sure why you said it had to go to council?

 

[blackcat20]

That actually all sounds correct and legitimate. Very common. Do you know do they build with timber or steel for their studs? Doesn’t mention council anywhere, so not sure why you said it had to go to council?

I assumed when they said the building permit had to be resubmitted for approval that they meant to council. That was only a snippet of the email.

As far as I know all frames here are timber unless you pay for metal.

 

[travelislife]

I assumed when they said the building permit had to be resubmitted for approval that they meant to council. That was only a snippet of the email.

As far as I know all frames here are timber unless you pay for metal.

Ok. Building Permit's generally aren't issued by Councils. Don't know a builder who would use a council building surveyor. Everyone uses private as the turn around is much faster.

 

[blackcat20]

Ok. Building Permit's generally aren't issued by Councils. Don't know a builder who would use a council building surveyor. Everyone uses private as the turn around is much faster.

You learn something new every day! Well hopefully it all moves quickly then, I'm rather over all of their phaffing. 8-10 weeks my cough.

 

[yld200]

That sucks but it sounds like they're stalling. I hate building stalling customers and lying to them about the reasons why. If you're entitled to any compensation due to delays I would try to get a more detailed response as to what the changes are. Not sure if it's possible but maybe you could mention that you want the revisions reviewed by your independent assessor you've engaged to assist you during over the building project.

As mentioned earlier by @travelislife, council mainly look at the envelope, set backs, number of bedrooms, open private space, windows, etc. Once they're happy they will issue the planning permit then the detailed drawings are done by the architect outlining every single measurement of the dwelling. The engineers will then use these plans to determine the slab design, timber frame design, roof design and requirements for any beams to support the weight of the structure.

The building inspectors job is to review all of the documentation and issue the building permit once they're satisfied all conditions have been met. Sometimes the planning permit issued by the council will have some additional non-standard conditions which need to be met. Maybe the builder has overlooked this but was spotted by the inspector which now requires some additional engineering revisions.

During the last project I worked on, in addition to the standard documents we had to do a water sensitivity urban design maintenance program which I hadn't seen before and they also wanted specific construction and site management plan.

 

[blackcat20]

No compensation unless the build goes over time, and it had better not come anywhere close.

We do have a commencement clause:
"commencement must occur within 21 days after the builder receives "essential information from the owner" and "all necessary building permits and planning approvals".

21 days would be this Thursday, but I'm not sure if the resubmission of the permit changes things.