Building contract preparation
The pros are prepping the addendum
It’s addenda time! We’d need some seriously remarkable talent for this one and that’s why we bring in the contracts team. They’re a group of highly trained specialists (that wasn’t meant to sound so Money Heist, but it works) with different skill sets, who jump onboard to enter the preparation stages of the addendum.
What exactly is the addendum?
Okay, let’s start somewhere logical: the beginning. The addendum is a document with all your selections and inclusions, like air conditioning, roof coverings, door fixtures … okay there’s way too much to list here, just keep reading! It’s a contract that will sit alongside side the MBA contract, and these two bad boys join forces to make sure you get exactly what you want from your prep and building experience. Oh, and they also ensure that your new home gets the big tick of approval from government rules and regulations (kinda important stuff).
Building contract to match your build
In size that is! Yep, the addendum is not exactly a quick read. These docs are packed with detail—inside you’ll find row after row of inclusions, broken down into individual line items.
Here’s an example just so you feel prepared for the real thing. Under the heading ‘Facebricks’ you’ll normally find:
- Facebricks – No item chosen*
- Mortar joints – Rolled Joint with Cream Mortar
- Bond type – 1/3 Bond
- Meterbox – Combination Meter Box Electric/Gas
*Any materials already selected will be notated, while all blank where ‘No item chosen’ is written will be completed after pre-start when you’ve locked in your desired flooring, paint colours etc.
This is just a tiny peek at what the whole addendum brings to the table; you’ll end up with about 20 pages of everything from engineering to insulation and all things in between. The level of detail is designed to match the inside of Will Hunting’s head.
Let’s take a look inside
The addendum that is. Okay, here’s a sample content page of a typical addendum. The building contract preparation team sure earn their $:
- Engineering
- Earthworks
- Concretor
- Termite treatment
- Facebricks
- Internal bricks
- Aluminium windows and sliding doors
- Timber joinery
- Roof construction
- Metal fascia
- Roof plumbing
- Roof cover
- External wall plaster
- Dry lining
- Ceiling(s)
- Timber mouldings
- Doors
- Fixing hardware
- Plumbing
- Stormwater disposal
- Appliances
- Electrical
- Cabinetry
- Shower screens
- Mirrors
- Painting
- Paving
- Garage grano
- Floor coverings
- Window treatments
- Insulation
- Robe systems
- Garage sectional door
This is the ultimate commitment
We know it’s a lot to commit to (especially when you find out that you have to sign each section!), but you can never be too careful when it comes to building contract preparation. Regardless, we like to put in some fail safes just to give you peace of mind, such as:
Lifetime structural warranty
12-month* maintenance
12-month build time (that’s a big one so make sure you take it in!)
These three guarantees are exactly what you need to look for when signing a document of this scale and committing to one of the biggest decisions of your life. Your builder needs to give you all the assurances that the home you build is a lifer!
Making a milestone out of paperwork
Once the final paperwork gets filed it’s certainly a reason to celebrate. It’s like when you finally finished reading Shantaram! After filing, it comes back to you for a final review and approval. A tip from the pros: get your favourite beverage, a well-lit spot, and make sure it’s quiet. Then, go over every page as if you’re studying your newest house plant’s care slip; this one needs your full and undivided attention.
* 12-month maintenance period applies to all homes with a La Vida Homes PPA Contract signed after the 1st of July 2023. A 6-month maintenance period will apply to all PPAs signed before this date.
