Do you know how much deposit your builder should ask for?

And what is your deposit actually paying for as you start the construction of your new home or renovation?

This is STEP 1 in building your new home or renovation project: Paying your deposit.

If you’re starting construction on your renovation or new home soon, or negotiating with builders, the first step you’ll need to take to lock in your project is to sign a contract and pay your builder a deposit.

Signing a contract can seem very serious – and it is. A contract is a legally binding document, and as with any contract, it’s recommended that you seek legal advice to understand how the contract is structured, if it is fair and reasonable, and what it obligates both you and your builder to do.

The contract sets out the conditions under which your renovation or new build is to be executed. It also establishes the expectations for both you and the builder. It will refer to other contract documents, such as drawings and specifications for your new home or renovation.

Based on the type of contract it is (cost plus, lump sum, fixed price are some of the options), it will also identify the total contract sum. And this may then be split up into a series of ‘draws’ or ‘progress payments’ or ‘progress claims’. These will show the stages at which payments will be required during your building project, and the milestones that will be achieved for each payment.

Understanding how your draws are structured, and what to expect in the construction of your new home or renovation at each stage, is essential to you getting what you’re paying for.

The deposit is generally 5 – 10 % of your contract sum. If your builder is asking for more, this can be your first red flag in your construction stage.

Far too often, I see homeowners run into trouble because a builder is forward-claiming for work. That is, the builder is submitting draws, or progress claims, for work that is yet to occur. This can be due to the builder having difficulties with cash flow, and funding current work from future claims. This is how builders can go into liquidation, and homeowners end up paying for 80% of their contract sum, yet only have 40% of their home finished on site.

The first step in securing a contract with a builder is usually to pay their deposit. Once this is paid, this sets in train a few things for your project.

Firstly the builder will start creating a program for your project. This is a schedule which …

• outlines the time each stage of your project will take
• identifies what trades are required, and when
• confirms the projected draws or progress claims based on workflow
• provides firm dates about when materials and products need to be chosen, ordered and delivered to meet construction deadlines
• gives you a finish date for your project!

From this, the builder is then able to start booking tradespeople, and other requirements for your project.

In addition, there’ll be a series of permits and approvals required to legally commence construction. The builder will need to confirm these are in place.

And the builder will also start setting up your building site ready for construction. This can include temporary fencing, a temporary toilet, temporary power and any silt barriers or site management measures.

Site is no longer your home, but now the builder’s jurisdiction. You will require formal permission from the builder to legally access it.

DID YOU KNOW?

If you don’t show your bank your contract at this stage, you can run into huge problems later and not get your bills paid.

Stay tuned as we give you a sneak preview of the upcoming season in the “Get it Right” podcast and share each stage in the construction of your new home or renovation. This has been Stage 1!

COMING SOON: Make sure you subscribe to the “Get it Right” podcast to learn more about The Stages of Construction

Duayne Pearce of D Pearce Constructions, and Amelia Lee, Undercover Architect, will be sitting down to discuss each construction stage of building or renovating your home. Talking through the good, the bad and the ugly, they’ll uncover key strategies and insider know-how to avoid the drama and expensive mistakes. Head here to subscribe so you don’t miss it >>> SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES

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