Builder Vs Architect

[Madamkhoo 0]

7 hours ago, snoozee said:

normally if you are not adding more than 50% of GFA, it will be considered as A&A. you will still need a QP (either architect or professional engineer) to do the submission/endorsement.

 

Thanks, snoozee! I am still undecided if should go the architect route or the builder route.

[snoozee 98]

7 hours ago, Madamkhoo said:

Thanks, snoozee! I am still undecided if should go the architect route or the builder route.

it all depends on how extensive your A&A is going to be. getting an architect means your cost will go up by a few tens of thousand to pay for the architect's services and such. but it also means there's someone who will help manage and coordinate the project for you.

a reputable builder can also do everything but do choose a builder carefully as some contractors will cut corners here and there to maximize their profit margin.

if you have the time and some knowledge to manage the project yourself, then you can go for the builder route. else I would suggest getting an architect instead to save yourself the headaches

[Madamkhoo 0]

5 hours ago, snoozee said:

it all depends on how extensive your A&A is going to be. getting an architect means your cost will go up by a few tens of thousand to pay for the architect's services and such. but it also means there's someone who will help manage and coordinate the project for you.

a reputable builder can also do everything but do choose a builder carefully as some contractors will cut corners here and there to maximize their profit margin.

if you have the time and some knowledge to manage the project yourself, then you can go for the builder route. else I would suggest getting an architect instead to save yourself the headaches

Good advice  thanks again. 

[airman 1]

Hi! Snoozee,

Kindly advise if I can get another contractor to sign the Form BC-BC (Builder's Certificate of Completion of Building Works) if the incumbent contractor refuses to sign.

The Form BC-BC is one of the outstanding documents as stated in the TOP Inspection Report.

I sense that this contractor is playing punk with me.

The main contractor is also contributing to my TOP woes and I thinking of getting another contractor to clear the mess finish up the job.

What is the procedure?

Thanks!

 

[snoozee 98]

1 hour ago, airman said:

Hi! Snoozee,

Kindly advise if I can get another contractor to sign the Form BC-BC (Builder's Certificate of Completion of Building Works) if the incumbent contractor refuses to sign.

The Form BC-BC is one of the outstanding documents as stated in the TOP Inspection Report.

I sense that this contractor is playing punk with me.

The main contractor is also contributing to my TOP woes and I thinking of getting another contractor to clear the mess finish up the job.

What is the procedure?

Thanks!

 

You’ll need to see which contractor is willing to take up the liability of the work done so far. 

Assuming you can find someone to take over, you will need to go to BCA to apply to change the contractor since the permit to commence works is issued to the existing contractor. For exact procedure to do this please check with BCA. 

If you are engaging a new contractor, please make sure to have everything in black and white. 

[yoongf 11]

What is the opinion of the architrct? Whose side is the architrct on?

no other contractor will sign.

Is there a performance bond that gives u leverage?

are there LD clauses in the contract?

if really no hope, go for termination of contract. Funny ppl will not change overnite. It will take a few months to get new contractor on board but still better than have a unstable relationship with existing contractor. 

It takes 2 hands to clap. It could be unreasonable expectations on your side without you knowing it. Therefore seek architect opinion first. There are professional contract mgt firms out there to resolve such issues. 

 

[snoozee 98]

1 hour ago, yoongf said:

What is the opinion of the architrct? Whose side is the architrct on?

no other contractor will sign.

Is there a performance bond that gives u leverage?

are there LD clauses in the contract?

if really no hope, go for termination of contract. Funny ppl will not change overnite. It will take a few months to get new contractor on board but still better than have a unstable relationship with existing contractor. 

It takes 2 hands to clap. It could be unreasonable expectations on your side without you knowing it. Therefore seek architect opinion first. There are professional contract mgt firms out there to resolve such issues. 

 

He has problems with his “architect” who was supposedly suspended. The architect who signed on the drawings didn’t want to do the TOP inspection until he feedbacked to BOA.

TOP inspection was finally done but missing a lot of paperwork.

There also doesn’t seem to be any proper contract or quotation signed for the building works as he said all works and payments done on “trust”  

So now he say he having problems with the contractor. 

Based on all the info he had posted till date, I feel he had been chopped by the contractor and “architect”. 2.8M to build a 7500sqf semi-d seemed to be overpriced considering that he still had to pay for many items himself. Also based on one of his posting, the project had been on going for 3 years already which is way to long to build a house when you consider that a full HDB development can actually be completed within 3 years.

[yoongf 11]

Then easy ma. Immediately terminate the main con n architrct. Get evidence of their negligence. Appoint new maincon to finish up. 

This is easy to follow up!

[airman 1]

On ‎25‎/‎11‎/‎2017 at 1:04 PM, yoongf said:

Then easy ma. Immediately terminate the main con n architrct. Get evidence of their negligence. Appoint new maincon to finish up. 

This is easy to follow up!

Spoken to BCA and they said it is tough to get another contractor to take over and sign the THE BUILDER’S CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION OF THE BUILDING WORKS unless the incumbent contractor passes away or becomes insolvent.

Right now I am at the mercy of the actual architect and have to be very patient with him while I try to approach the various government agencies such as NEA, PUB, LTA to assist to "push" him to do the necessary submission.

It is a slow and painful process

 

[airman 1]

On ‎25‎/‎11‎/‎2017 at 8:01 AM, yoongf said:

What is the opinion of the architrct? Whose side is the architrct on?

no other contractor will sign.

Is there a performance bond that gives u leverage?

are there LD clauses in the contract?

if really no hope, go for termination of contract. Funny ppl will not change overnite. It will take a few months to get new contractor on board but still better than have a unstable relationship with existing contractor. 

It takes 2 hands to clap. It could be unreasonable expectations on your side without you knowing it. Therefore seek architect opinion first. There are professional contract mgt firms out there to resolve such issues. 

 

The architect probably woke up after I went to BOA to seek him out.

There is no performance bond whatsoever and not even a contract.

There is no unreasonable expectation from me except that I have trusted this main contractor too much. I did not think too much about it when friends and relatives were asking the reason for the long delay. 

What are these professional contract management firms? Can provide a few names?

[airman 1]

On ‎25‎/‎11‎/‎2017 at 9:28 AM, snoozee said:

He has problems with his “architect” who was supposedly suspended. The architect who signed on the drawings didn’t want to do the TOP inspection until he feedbacked to BOA.

TOP inspection was finally done but missing a lot of paperwork.

There also doesn’t seem to be any proper contract or quotation signed for the building works as he said all works and payments done on “trust”  

So now he say he having problems with the contractor. 

Based on all the info he had posted till date, I feel he had been chopped by the contractor and “architect”. 2.8M to build a 7500sqf semi-d seemed to be overpriced considering that he still had to pay for many items himself. Also based on one of his posting, the project had been on going for 3 years already which is way to long to build a house when you consider that a full HDB development can actually be completed within 3 years.

Hi! Snoozee,

What is the consequence of moving in before TOP is obtained?

Basically the house is 100% done except to submit the documents to BCA.

I desperately need a place to stay as my lease is expiring soon.

Thanks!

[snoozee 98]

1 hour ago, airman said:

Hi! Snoozee,

What is the consequence of moving in before TOP is obtained?

Basically the house is 100% done except to submit the documents to BCA.

I desperately need a place to stay as my lease is expiring soon.

Thanks!

you are not allowed to move in until TOP is obtained.

https://www.bca.gov.sg/myHomeeServices/HomeOwners_Renovating_Reno_PPtyFAQTOPCSC.htm

[yarwood 0]

On 11/30/2017 at 10:47 AM, snoozee said:

you are not allowed to move in until TOP is obtained.

https://www.bca.gov.sg/myHomeeServices/HomeOwners_Renovating_Reno_PPtyFAQTOPCSC.htm

Please know that it's very much possible for the architect and contractors to speed up the TOP paperwork process.  For our own renovations, we had made some minor changes along the way (but our architects said we gave them quite a headache... :-) .... )  and they managed to handover to us just 2 days before our stated movers date.  We also saw them send in an army of cleaners and they magically managed to sweep, wipe all the big glass windows and clean the whole house and toilets in a moments notice.  They definitely showed a sense of urgency to allow us to move in without changing our mover's booking date.      

[BrownTree 0]

On 10/25/2017 at 6:27 PM, MetalTab said:

PMed

Hi MetalTab

If you don’t mind, pm me your builder contacts as well. Thanks!

 

 

 

[Goodenf 3]

On 7/21/2015 at 10:38 PM, MetalTab said:

In the midst of re-con of a 2400 land inter

2-sty to 3-sty+roof terrace

from 2700sf to 4900sf

started Dec14 and TOP inspection next month.

Very happy with builder who has his own stable of workers - mix of PRC supervisors and Indian/Bangladeshi workers.

Builder organises them into 4 teams and each specialises in different stages of the building process - initial removal of walls, digging of RC trench; team 2 for the laying of the cement structures, footings and steel structures, team 3 for the brickwork, plastering, glasswork and tiling, team 4 for the painting, general cleaning.

He works with others for air-con, electricity and plumbing.

must say that these 8 months have been anxious period for my wife and I since this is the first time we are undertaking such a massive project.

But the builder has been a god-sent. Truly.

Not money-face

Not Mr VO (many I hear in the industry will come in cheap for quote and VO us to death...)

Not Mr Lazy

Not sub-standard

He is very responsible - they have been on schedule, in fact ahead of schedule by 3 months.

He does not take short cuts - I witnessed him instructing his workers to hack up some cement flooring that I thought was fine. I asked him why, and he said that he wasn't satisfied that the old flooring was good enough standard. OK, the cynics will say that he wayang... but that's hacking up 2 rooms of such old flooring after what seems like all cement work has been completed. And that took another 1week to re-do.

We went to the site almost everyday... and each time, there were about 8pax of workers around. They seemed to know their jobs, and were a happy bunch.

The carpenter I employed remarked that the kungfu of the workers were very good (my eyes can't really tell, but he told me that the quality of finishing shows their pride in their work).

Oh, my wife can be fickle ... changed the paint colour for different parts of the house like 2x and each time, the builder said "mei wen ti" (no problem). We felt bad, but he said that he wanted us to be happy as this is a big investment to us.

And he is quite fierce to his workers; was told by the supervisor that he can scold them until cry... I suppose it's good that they fear him...

Can't believe this right? Well, if you told me this, i wouldn't either... as in truth, this is my second builder... the first run off after I paid close to a CAT A COE of deposit... and set us back by a good half a year. So I suppose things even out in the end.

Guess, the industry is dipping with fewer projects, and choosing the right builder is most important.

Hope most of you will get the same type as this second builder.

About a month+ to go... and what a journey it has been.

Albest to all under-going and about to undergo their re-build, re-con, A+A.

Hi Metalstab,

Would you mind share your builder with me? I am looking for a good reliable Design and build to handle my A&A.

Much appreciated

goodenf@live.com