In our case, we use current technology and one of reasons why we are both profitable and successful is that we keep abreast to new technology and want our buyers and developers want in their homes.

Question 3.

Is it reasonable for us to ask our builder to identify his subcontractors and allow us to talk with primary subs before we contract (and after)?

Master Builder Replies

It is reasonable, however, not very realistic. Subs come in and out of a job site. If one is not available another one is called in.

Instead, you may want to concentrate on ensuring builder has proper permits and insurance for building. Especially for workman's comp and for liability.

What few people realize is that they can be held accountable if builder doesn't have correct insurance. Let's say that a child comes on to site after builder has left. Decides to climb to roof and jump. Guess who's liable? Check references of others he's built for.

Question 4.

What do you, as builder, expect homeowner to do (other than to pay you as and when agreed).

Master Builder Replies

As builder, we expect home buyer to be reasonable and realistic in their expectations. We have made is easy as possible to work with us. We can provide financing required.

We can provide Realtor to assist you to finding ideal location. We can tell you appraised value. And, we can help you find an Interior Designer to help you come up with a visual floor plan.

The biggest problems that most builders run into is when home buyer to either change what has been agreed to or is unrealistic in what they want. This is why we have our home buyers sit down with an Interior Designer.

The ASID can sit down with you and help you visualize exactly what you want and help you make any compromises you may have to make.

It is very expensive for to make changes. Let's say that you wanted a 17x20 kitchen. Sounds like a big kitchen. Probably too big. However, once cabinets and appliances start coming in you realize that it's too small and want kitchen to be bigger.

This may cost you an extra $50k to make those changes. You can save yourself a small fortune by first working with ASID on floor space, storage, placement, design, and style.

The Town Plan sets out development rules, such as building line set-backs from each boundary; height restrictions; material standards and lots of other things.

In addition to that you usually have to advertise to Public by newspaper, as well as a sign on property, that you have lodged a Development Application.

You will have been told by Town Plan, how many times advert has to appear and how long sign on property has to stay erected on land - oh yes, it has to be erected on front boundary, not on rear boundary behind a bush.

All this takes time - advertising alone can be a month, then you have time if Objections from Public are lodged - then time for it to be checked by authority officers - then it has to get on Council's agenda. Oh sorry, you missed that meeting. You have to wait another month. So yep, it is a long process.

Anyone who has an interest in property or will be directly affected by what you propose to develop can attend these meetings.

Some people may not want you to build because of noise, or traffic your development will add or because they once saw aliens there. You get all kinds of people who reject change.

Question 4.

As a member of public how do they make their concerns or support be heard?

Reply

If you're a citizen attending hearing, chairperson will ask anyone who wishes to speak to approach podium and state their objections or comments.

If you are better organized, you can lodge an objection in writing, setting out your reasons and referring to similar cases that support your position.

Question 5.

If you are developer what action is required of you? What team of people do you need to be with you?

Reply

If fire in your belly tends to come out of your mouth, when provokes, don't attend - someone will find your 'hot button'. Result - lose your cool, you lose argument."

If you're proposed development is contentious, then I would engage a professional Town Planned to represent you.

As a professional, they are independent; can argue on basis of town planning principals; will know weaknesses of local town plan; and will put your case in language and temperament far better than you can.