Yesterday we met on site with the Operations and Construction Manager to discuss a few issues that had arisen.
WATER TANK - the water tank on original plan was only a 3000 litre Slimline with the entire roof space to go to the tank.
We questioned this size and the fact that the entire roof space was to go to it but was assured that all was as per council regulations.
BUT... Council noted on plans that the tank had to be a 4000 litre.
We had to contact MJH re this change noted on plan as they had made no contact with us in relation to this change. With which we were advised that it was now an additional charge to us. And not a cheap one.
Basically after site meetings with MJH the water tank will be relocated due to size and all costs associated with upgrade and new placement will be covered by MJH. Small win for us.
ROCK - all along we have known and it has been noted in their soil tests that we have a shelf of shale on the rear portion of the block approx. 200mm deep.
Of course they want to charge extra for MJH to remove the rock - although the machine they cut the rest of the block with was more than ample to be able to pull the small shelf of rock out.
But there was no budging on this we will be having the site given back to us so we can have the rock removed and the rear section of the cut completed by us at our cost - which will be 1/2 what MJH want to charge.
DIRT - right from our first contact with MJH we have requested that the dirt removed from the cut be placed at the rear of our block (due to the large size of block).
This would mean that we wouldn't have to move the dirt immediately and MJH would not be hindered in anyway with the build.
BUT... when the block was cut the excess dirt was placed at the front of the block.
Initial conversations with the Operation Manager basically dismissed any responsibility for putting it in the wrong location.
After providing emailed correspondence of previous requests MJH will now move the dirt to the rear of the block as requested way back in the beginning. Another small win for us.
I am certain that most builders bank on the fact that the client will accept all changes and additional charges with minimal argument unfortunately for them we have emails to back up any requests we have made and have a knowledge of what happens on a construction site.
We have also asked them to check the levels of the block before it is handed back to us to ensure that it is correct as we feel it may be a bit high.
We now have to wait on them to get back to us with levels before we can take the site back to remove the rock.
Hopefully once this has all been sorted the rest of the build will run smoothly - fingers crossed.
