Prime cost items, new build

[cocka2]

Hi guys,

My builder recently submitted a claim for stage 5, one before completion.

According to contact, at this stage:

"All ceramic tiling installed, prime cost items installed, painting complete"

When I asked the builder about prime cost items, he mentioned since all the items in the house are priced for in the contract - I have a fixed price contract, there is no PC items to be installed.

This is confusing to me, say we agreed to have a specific oven, and it is listed in the contract, shouldn't this item be purchased and installed at this stage ? he wants to do all these at the final stage when only 5% of the total contract is payable.

I am refusing to pay him until I can see some of the prime cost items, such as range hood and oven to be installed.

This is my first time building a house through a house/land package.

I appreciate your advise,
Cheers,

 

[oc1]

Hi guys,

My builder recently submitted a claim for stage 5, one before completion.

According to contact, at this stage:

"All ceramic tiling installed, prime cost items installed, painting complete"

When I asked the builder about prime cost items, he mentioned since all the items in the house are priced for in the contract - I have a fixed price contract, there is no PC items to be installed.

This is confusing to me, say we agreed to have a specific oven, and it is listed in the contract, shouldn't this item be purchased and installed at this stage ? he wants to do all these at the final stage when only 5% of the total contract is payable.

I am refusing to pay him until I can see some of the prime cost items, such as range hood and oven to be installed.

This is my first time building a house through a house/land package.

I appreciate your advise,
Cheers,

It is common practice to install these items just before handover. Main reason is theft. A fair compromise would be to see the receipts for the purchase of these items and to allow the builder to install at the end.

If you have had a good relationship with your builder try to keep this and not ruin it over a minor event. A builders responsibility doesn't end at handover so try and work things out for when you need them in the months and years to come.

 

[cocka2]

Thanks for your reply, one more question, this stage also mentions all tiles installed, the living room is supposed to have tiles and I couldn't see any tiles, he also mentioned tiles will be installed at the last stage, is this normal ?

 

[oc1]

Thanks for your reply, one more question, this stage also mentions all tiles installed, the living room is supposed to have tiles and I couldn't see any tiles, he also mentioned tiles will be installed at the last stage, is this normal ?

Depends. What other floor covering do you have? Or is it tiles everywhere other than the bedrooms?

 

[cocka2]

Thanks OC1,

That is correct, It is tiles everywhere except the bedrooms, does this make any difference ?

 

[oc1]

Thanks OC1,

That is correct, It is tiles everywhere except the bedrooms, does this make any difference ?

Each builder does things differently. I would be laying the tiles once the kitchens and the skirting boards are in place.