Building projects Do's & Don'ts

[widge]

I picked up these hints from Globetrotter in a previous post, can anybody offer any more advice please?

1) Clear concise contract that is very explicit and assigns values. Our architect took care of this for us.
2) Whenever a change is made, make sure that you understand how it impacts the contracted finish date. You may need to add an amendment to the contract even if the change is minor as it could invalidate the finish date.
3) Who pays for destroyed irrigation systems (due to reckless and careless work) and collapsed calcada? Make sure these types of things are addressed.
4) Base your payment schedule on percentage of completion, not the calendar.
5) If you are not onsite, make sure you hire an aggressive project manager who will have your best interests at heart.
6) No detail is too small for the owner. It should be but it isn´t.

[steve]

Make sure that the contract includes delivery of the habitation certificate and that final stage payment is dependent upon this. State clearly that no variation in building specifaction is permitted without the written agreement of the owner. Understand and confirm exactly what the architect will be doing in the process.He or she has a lot of technical responsibility which it might otherwise be assumed is relevant to the builder. Be prepared for costs such as extra potencia from EDP and a tax from the Camara for connection to the main drains where applicable.

[steve]

PS Include penalties for unreasonable delay in progress of the work.

[widge]

Thanks Steve, sound advice.

[maccasa]

1) Specify removal of ALL waste material from site after completion
2) Ensure ALL accesspaths, driveways, rear patios, pool surrounds are included in the contract.

[shanagarry]

Make sure the agreement/contract is drawn up by a lawyer - otherwise it's not worth the paper it's written on - as they will attempt to 'wriggle' out based on their interpretation. Even if you have covered a specific point in your contract - make sure you explain in plain language the point you are covering. I had an issue with an architect on something I had explained (as I thought) in very specific terms only for him to interpret the point differently. Fortunately, this happened early in the project and I decided not to proceed further as a result - but it still cost me - but not as much as it would have done had I proceeded.

Build in a contingency in case they go bust - structured around the stage payments.

Experience has taught me to make sure their understanding of your English is as you understand it. There is a big difference between being able to 'speak' English and 'understanding' it - even for lawyers.

[widge]

Many thanks to all those who replied. Much appreciated.