What is a Building Preliminary Agreement and who Benefits from One?

When building a home or home renovations there are many things you need to do before you start construction on your amazing new home or renovation.
 
Most of these things involve different reports, certificates and paperwork for applications that can be really confusing and stressful if you have not done them before.

As a builder we consider these to be straightforward we complete this type of paperwork and help our clients complete such paperwork before on all our renovation jobs in Perth.
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Let me guess……. Like most of our clients you are VERY busy and the thought of getting these things organised can cause stress and angst due to the unknown and limited time you have available. We all have 24 hours in a day why not let some one else use their time and not your precious time to do the paperwork. Delegate Delegate!
 
……In steps the builder to help you with the process via a preliminary agreement.

The reason it is called a preliminary agreement is because it is am agreement put in place prior to the actual build with a builder.
 
A preliminary agreement involves many tasks that are mandatory and that will cost you money whether you do so through a builder or prep for build permit lodgement on your own.

So, what does on involve?
 
At Distinct Renovations we include the below items in our preliminary agreements, however, be mindful that each build is different to the rest and some home owners may have some tasks completed already and some renovation works may not require some or all of these tasks.

​Development Approval

If required, the builder will obtain a development approval from council for your home renovation and extension. The builder will complete all the required forms and submit the application to the relevant council and follow though to approval. You will only need to step in when required for opinions and ideas if changes are required.
 
Development approvals are not needed on every job however when they are required, they can be quite stressful dealing with councils on your own with no prior experience, let you builder take charge here save you the hassle in your renovations.
 
 
Engineering

The engineering work takes place once the working drawings are completed. This is where a qualified engineer will read over the plans and draw up a set of engineering plans to outline the structural work required for the job. Engineering is vital for getting a building permit. The builder will liaise with the engineer and architect to get the engineering right and to ensure that it is not over engineered and costing you too much. You will only need to step in as required.
 
Soil Test

A soil test will be done just before the engineer completes his plans and needs to be done in order to check the class of soil which will help determine the engineering required for the job. This is performed by a company who specialises in this field, the builder will manage this and ensure it is completed. So, you can relax knowing this will be done.

Detailed Quote with full list of specifications

Distinct Renovations will collate a full fixed price quote as part of all their preliminary agreements, including all specifications required for the job. This will entail the exact price from all trades and suppliers so you can be comfortable with the final amount and work from this amount as your budget for the renovation project.

We try to get all the information up front before providing the quote and therefore this price will not be finalised until the DA is approved (if required), engineering is completed and all selections have being decided on or allowance put in place if preferred. The reason Distinct Renovations wait until all the above requirements are completed before providing the fixed price quote, is for you to avoid any budget blow outs. You do not want to get a rough price and have variation upon variation as the build unfolds.  

Job Schedule

Within the fixed price quote, Distinct will provide you with a Gantt chart of the estimated job schedule so you can be aware of the timing for the job and be better prepared for the renovation you are planning on undertaking.
 
Certificate of Design Compliance

The CDC as we call it, is a document provided by a licensed building surveyor. He looks over the working drawings and signs off to confirm that the works are in line with the Residential codes of Western Australia and the Construction Codes of Australia. This document allows a quicker and smoother process through council as your building permit will be submitted as a “certified application”.  So, you can rest assured the work being completed is to Code.
 
Energy Efficiency Report

EER reports as we like to call it, is a report that outlines the energy efficiency of a home.  The energy report will outline things such as the insulation needs in the walls and the roof of the home and whether double glazed windows are needed. All homes in WA must have a pass to enable the build or renovations to take place.  The builder will organise this for you at the right stage, an EER is required for a build permit to be approved.
 
Builder Communicate with Professionals

Throughout the design phase the builder will communicate with each professional to ensure the design fits with the desired budget and liaise with you as the client when need be. 

Conclusion

Therefore, a preliminary agreement will benefit you as the homeowner, not only does it take the stress out of the pre-build process paperwork, furthermore  in the case of Distinct Renovations a preliminary agreement leaves you with a full fixed price quote that should have little to no variations so will enable you to stick to a budget.  

Also, the preliminary agreement allows that close nit relationship between builder, and all other professionals involved to ensue that the final design will be in line with your initial budget.

Once the preliminary agreement is completed you have zero obligation to build your renovation through Distinct Renovations, it is just an extra hand holding service we offer to try and make the process of renovating your home less stressful.
 
If you are interested in renovating your home feel free to contact us and find out more.