Negotiation
For the last 7 days since we've been advised on the new variation - $7K contract expired, we tried everything we can for the workaround, we were really exhausted and emotionally stress how to budget our future landscaping and other miscellaneous expenses in the new house.
We tried to cancel and request for withdrawal even though we know we will lose all the 5% deposit. We even thinking to go to different builder and let it go the deposit we had given, we were thinking just to get away immediately from the terrible experience we had with the administration and customer service. But most of the builders already increase their base price, plus the hassle of meeting and colour selections, it will be start from the beginning again.
We asked the builder to have an agreement to cut it down to 50% because we believe it is not our fault (delays), we also asked for instalment plan for 2 years with 4% interest.
None of them went through.
We agreed to pay the new variation in cash for every stages, on the condition they will raise the temporary fence before we given our further savings.
Still negative.
Finally, we realised we lost on this negotiation, we have to admit we cannot get something back, they got the advantages and we don't, we can only do stay positive.
We made a decision we will pay the GAP 5% plus $2,000 before we can see the temporary fence then the remaining $5K will be equally pay on every building progress stages.
Lesson learned: As mentioned before
1. FIXED PRICE, look for this term, regardless if the building documents (council, end panel and structural plan) will take 2 or 3 years process but asked for FIXED PRICE.
2. When you accept the tender contracts, council stamped plan drawing and final contract, NEVER change, do not add or delete any variations. Because if you do, this will trigger the builder's business model, the hidden revenues.
3. Prepare for 20% access funds, cash or equity
