Tender Process .. Inclusions .. Exclusions and handy tips

We were very pleased with our tender and feel that it now includes all the things that we needed.  We made mistakes along the way and even now wish we had thought of a few things at the start....  It would have saved us time and effort.  So Marlon has compiled a "short" list of tips and things that might be useful to consider.


We found that the following items would have been helpful if we had done at the beginning

• Identify the upgrade items on the Display Home you choose to build (take the upgrade list and visually tick them off one by one making a note that they are  upgrades) If you don't do this eventually you will find out some items that you thought were included are not included and it will create disappointment from your end.
• Have a look at similar house plans on the online forums if possible since this will give you great ideas that others have thought about and you may think about once you have signed the contract  (you need to search through the blogs for the plans that have been posted online for similar houses)
• You may want to ask the sales staff to give yo a couple of plans of other people who built the same house (they may give it to you without the client's details obviously )
• Make sure you check all the items such as bricks, bathroom accessories (Sinks and Niches etc) and kitchen, Windows etc
• Make sure all items that you would like to have and think you have included are listed i the tender document in one way or another
• When you pick  Facade make sure you check what is included in the cost and not included (what you see in the display is what you get) 
• Communicate all inquiries, questions or clarifications  via email and ensure you store the responses safely just in case the sales staff you started the project with is no longer working for the builder etc
• Take the items in the tender document very seriously since this eventually becomes part of the contract you sign.
• Take the time to understand the itemised pricing on the tender and double check the pricing in the market since the retail price at times be cheaper than what the builder lists on the tender
• Make sure you ask for any discounts in the $100's not $1000's before you sign off the tender in preparation for the plan drawing stage
• Ask questions from fellow home builders for recommendations (do and don'ts) since some the other home builders bad experiences may help you avoid a painful situation
• Ensure every item you think of or its detail is listed in the tender since no assumptions will be honoured by the builder if it comes to a crunch one day
• You can also include cost provisions for upgrades etc so the price estimates of these items are included in the master tender document and will be payed with the progressive draw down payments if you are borrowing the money form a Bank. if you do not do this the variations costs post tender requires short payment terms and this will need to be settled before soon..
• If you have any doubts on any items make sure you ask and clarify (Even if it is a slight though in the back of your mind) .. it is recommended not to keep any items unresolved when you sign the tender or contract.
• Good luck with your new home build project - Marlon :)