What To Expect From Engaging A Contractor?

[Oscaroscar 1]

Hi people, I have engaged a contractor recently for my house. This is our first house and home soon-to-be.

We have started off with the reno works but stuck with some confusions whether who should do what. As the fact we know, we engaged a contractor not an ID. But we certainly DO NOT want to be short-changed(we will be spending tens of thousands rite??) Let's say we have 1 main contractor, he is an ordinary contractor found with a shop in a neighbourhood area.

Anyone care to share some experience for engage them for a new BTO house? We are having some confusion as we know there is no guidelines so we are hoping people sharing their experience here. SIC right?

These are some questions we hope to see ppl's view ...

1. Who should determine the schedule?

Should contractor provide the overall schedule to the owner? What to do first...then that.. * why we are asking this is becos there are some items need to be custom made. If the contractor do not tell the owner in time, the project schedule will be delayed.

2. For items not included in the contract and requires owner to source them. Can the owner require the main contractor to advise and liaise with the sub contractors after sourcing for them?

3. There are always changes(add/minus of items with min 2k to 3k diff) in the quotation while reno started. Should the contractor revise the quotation before the final payment? Most people wouldnt want to have a shock in the last payment rite?

Edited September 21, 2014 by Oscaroscar

[bepgof 20]

In this situation, owner is the coordinator who should demand for schedules from each individual contractors then 'coordinate' the events planned.....

Each contractor only responsible for their own scope of supply.....

Everything is negotiable, variation orders apply when new scope of supply arise, can be verbal or written. Business law applies.

For payment term, can be payment in advance, progressive or with retention sum for a period of time.....

Same contractor usually paid 'cash on delivery' - money exchanges hands when goods/products/service/works done.

For bigger sum, say $50K in one quote, with warranty, best to have 5% or 10% as retention sum. Can be paid 6 months later after job done.

All these have to be communicated before works start...to avoid disputes...

[Oscaroscar 1]

In this situation, owner is the coordinator who should demand for schedules from each individual contractors then 'coordinate' the events planned.....

Each contractor only responsible for their own scope of supply.....

Everything is negotiable, variation orders apply when new scope of supply arise, can be verbal or written. Business law applies.

For payment term, can be payment in advance, progressive or with retention sum for a period of time.....

Same contractor usually paid 'cash on delivery' - money exchanges hands when goods/products/service/works done.

For bigger sum, say $50K in one quote, with warranty, best to have 5% or 10% as retention sum. Can be paid 6 months later after job done.

All these have to be communicated before works start...to avoid disputes...

Thanks for your reply.

I couldn't agree more on your payment terms with smaller contractors with 'Cash on delivery' and basic business law applies.

How about main contractor who has most renovations(tiling, ceiling, carpentry and hacking) under his control. Should schedule be provided by contractor to inform owner when require this and that? As owner not being inform what are critical items to purchase first.. then causes delays and a lose situation for the owner.

Edited September 21, 2014 by Oscaroscar

[bepgof 20]

Sure owner can press main contractor for writen schedule(for commitment) - contractors all 'scare' to do this = giving owner a sword to poke main contractor.

By now you should know why.

Only the committed ones dare to pen down schedule....others are 'lip service'.

Always 'seeing is believing'.

Need not to talk so much, pen it down, present and follow.....