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airman

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Posts posted by airman

  3. Posted

    On 7/3/2021 at 10:35 PM, snoozee said:

    IRAS don't play with them. they can do claw backs and add on penalties. So better be good and just do the proper documentation for them and avoid the problems. Also remember that property tax remission only lasts 2 years from date of demolition completion. So you must get TOP within 2 years else your property tax will be very high.

    you are right! I paid about 24k per year in property taxes for 3 years (after the 2 years tax remission ended) when my builder played punk and delayed the project.

  4. Posted

    On 7/10/2021 at 12:10 AM, wersingaporeans said:

    what solar panels feeds electricity back to solar grid for the bill rebate?

    I spent 30k plus for the solar panels and get a measly $100 plus every month from SP.

    Totally not worth the money and hassle and not mentioning you have to engage the solar panel company to clean the solar panels once every 2 years. This is due to grime and bird droppings on the panels which will affect the yield.

    • Like 1

  10. Posted

    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!

  11. Posted

    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?

  12. Posted

    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

     

  13. Posted

    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!

     

  14. Posted

    3 hours ago, snoozee said:

    Won't say it's back to square one as now at least you know what else is needed for TOP.

    not sure what else you can do to force them to do their work. I'm assuming that you do not have receipts/invoices of the payments you've made to any party till now since you mentioned there's no proper contract/quotation for the entire project. Even if you decide to bring up a civil suit against them, with no paperwork it's hard to bring up a case. 

    The last option (which might be viable) is to find an architect who is willing to take over this last part of the project, then get the original architect who signed on the drawings to resign/discharge himself from the project. Whether you want to lodge a formal complaint with BOA against this guy is then up to you. 

    Hi! Snoozee,

    Are you able to recommend a reliable architect willing to take over?

    Now my priority is to get the TOP done and move in.

    Lodging a complaint with the BOA will take time and is not going to resolve the TOP issue but I will certainly consider to do so after the TOP is done.

    Thanks.

     

     

  15. Posted

    On ‎29‎/‎10‎/‎2017 at 3:25 PM, snoozee said:

    unfortunately if you have no proper signed contract or quotation for the works the avenues for recourse is almost zero. for proper construction projects, there will always be a quotation for the works with what is included/excluded, etc and most importantly a schedule of when the project should be completed otherwise LD would be imposed on the contractor.

    An update of the TOP inspection yesterday morning; the BCA Inspector requested for the Structural Plans C1, C2 & C3 which the "so called" architect claimed that he needed probably a month to get it and this is where I blew my top. In addition, the following are yet to be submitted:

    1) Fire Certificate                                                                                                                                                       

    2) NEA Clearance Certificate                                                                                                                                    

    3) PUB Clearance Certificate                                                                                                                                    

    4) LTA Clearance Certificate                                                                                                                                 

    5) NParks Clearance Certificate                                                                                                                           

    6) Bomb Shelter Certificate

    I checked with the company doing the structural plans and this is what they said "we submitted the asbuilt piling but the officer asking for ecc, we had requested from both builder and peck brothers but they haven’t get back to us. So the asbuilt submissions are superseded."

    Now the real architect (who was there yesterday) remains uncontactable again.

    Back to square one again.....

     

  17. Posted

    13 hours ago, snoozee said:

    Glad you sorted this issue out. :D

    cost wise I can't really give a comment as every project comes with it's own challenges and how the owner negotiates on the professional fees and what materials and finishing is used for the house. your 2.8M sound quite expensive but again, I do not know what is involved. based on an average construction cost of 300psf, your 7500spf build up will cost about 2.25m so the balance of 0.55M for government and professional fees is way too much. unless your architect is some famous architect, then your architect and PE fees should not exceed 100K. best is you look at your cost breakdown and then decide.

    unfortunately since you had already signed on the quotations and such, I'm not sure what recourse you have even if you feel that you are over charged for your project.

    in case you're wondering where the magical $300psf is derived from, it's based on data from quarterly construction costs from this website. http://www.langdonseah.com/en/sg/publications/filter/all/sg

    Actual fact is that I did not sign on any quotation or contract due to some sort of trust and I have some balance amount to pay.

    But the delay of almost 3.5 years; partly due to the contractor's recommended "architect" (who is only a draughtsman) and the feeling of kena "chopped carrot-head" makes me thinking of claiming damages from this contractor.

    Do you think I have a case against this contractor?

  18. Posted

    On ‎23‎/‎10‎/‎2017 at 1:19 PM, cymon said:

    2.8m without all the things you mentioned seems to be on the "very" high side, unless you house is designed by famous architect which is uniquely designed and comes with high specs.

    I built (still on construction) mine L3500, B6000 with swimming pool, lift and everything you mentioned for 1.3m.

     

    Hi! Cymon,

    What do you think should be the reasonable absolute reconstruction cost for my case? 

    That is without all the things I mentioned and is NOT designed by famous architect and NOT uniquely designed and comes WITHOUT high specs; just a normal looking corner terrace.

     

  19. Posted

    On ‎21‎/‎10‎/‎2017 at 11:40 PM, snoozee said:

    I'm not sure if the existing architect need to resign/discharge himself from your project. If he has to do so then you would most probably need to appoint another architect to take over since yours is a rebuilt project which needs an architect to be involved. 

    Best is that you call up the PE first and ask him about this as well since they would be more familiar with the various regulations and requirements. 

    Hi! Snoozee,

    Just an update that the architect who signed off the drawings has finally agreed to follow through and the TOP Inspection is scheduled on 2nd November 2017.

    I just hope everything turns out well

    By the way, what should be the reasonable absolute reconstruction cost for a 3 storey corner terrace with attic on land of 5,300 sq ft and 7,500 sq ft?

    Thanks

     

     

  20. Posted

    23 hours ago, snoozee said:

    The PE would have charged a lump sum for doing up your house's structural plans and such. TOP inspection may not be part of the initial sum. As for how much he will charge and whether he want to do is best to call the firm directly to ask. 

    Hope things work out well for you eventually.

    Hi! Snoozee,

    One last question; I understand that the incumbent architect has to resign or discharge himself in order for that PE to take over the TOP Inspection submission. Is this correct?

    What if that incumbent architect remains uncontactable or missing in action?

    Thanks

     

     

  21. Posted

    8 hours ago, snoozee said:

    the person who you can go after is the one who signed on your approved housing plans which is submitted to the authorities. you can't do much about the so called "coordinator" unless there's explicit contracts signed with him/her.

    technically whoever signed on the plans is the one responsible. saying that letting someone else use the company name just for endorsement doesn't absolve all responsibilities since to the authorities, they will go after the person who signed and put down their name in the building plans.

    the PE I'm referring to is the Professional Engineer for your project. since you are doing a rebuilt, there is a PE who will be involved in signing off the structural plans.

    the TOP inspection needs a Qualified Person (either an architect or PE) to do the application so you can try to get the PE to help since the architect isn't doing anything.

    as mentioned, call board of architects for some advice on what you can do to the architect/firm and force them to do the TOP inspection.

    Hi! Snoozee,

    Thanks for your valuable advice again.

    I visited the BOA office this afternoon and they suggested that I email the complaint to BOA which I did and they will try to locate the architect and hopefully can force him to act.

    Yes! You mentioned the PE who signed off the structural plans and I will contact him as he is from another firm. Roughly what is the expected fees from this PE?

    I really appreciate your help as now I know who to go after.

    Warmest regards

     

     

     

  22. Posted

    16 minutes ago, snoozee said:

    The architect has a responsibility since he signed his name on your house plans. You can lodge a complaint to the board of architects if he refuses to perform the TOP inspection. 

    My advise is that you call the board of architects and seek advice from them on your possible course of actions. 

    As mentioned, you can try to find the PE to get him/her to apply for the TOP inspection for you. 

    Hi! Snoozee,

    Many thanks for taking time to answer my queries.

    So I should go after the person and company (the said architect) that appear on the URA Grant Of Written Permission? 

    Then who is this PE you are referring to? The co-ordinator who is dragging his feet? I have already gave up on him.

    Thanks

     

  23. Posted

    4 hours ago, snoozee said:

    Find the actual architect who signed off the building plans and get him/her to do the inspection. I'm assuming that your suspended architect is not the one who signed off the plans. alternatively you can try to find the PE who signed off the plans as well and get him/her to do it. If I'm not wrong, the TOP inspection just need a QP (either architect or PE) to apply.

    Hi! Snoozee,

    Really appreciate your kind advice.

    The reality is that the architect who signed off the building plans has a bo-chup attitude and claimed that he just let this so called co-ordinator to use his name/company for the necessary endorsement and he has nothing to do with the said project.

    What is the next course of action should this architect refuses to do the inspection?

    Thanks 

     

     

  25. Posted

    On ‎17‎/‎12‎/‎2016 at 12:53 AM, yarwood said:

     

    TRUE!   We're very happy ( and a lot more relaxed now ... sometimes luck is necessary in these things ... ) to have found all these posts in renotalk to eventually "meet" our designers+builder for our recon.  haha...... we used to always bring them korean snacks and tabao from the tiong bahru market (the Creative Director is a korean lady from italy! ) when we visit their studio for our meetings.  As i have mentioned before, we are very thankful and don't take them for granted at all because we have seen the worse or worst in this building world -- re: our case against that st&pid id#ot (PM me for updates on this!).  

    But at least now everything is peaceful and we are very house proud with the current outcome.  We've also had "inspired & cost savings" experiences with the their project manager and architect as they are very experience men who has helped us save $ along the way through their use of intelligent materials to achieve our visual expectations which is to build a modern contemporary designed "villa" in the tropics.   

    Good Luck and i wish everyone a continued positive journey on their builds!  

     

     

     

    Hi!

    I am at my wits end with this so called architect (actually suspended but acts as a co-ordinator) who has been dragging his feet with the TOP Inspection submission.

    I made the mistake of making full payment to him and he is now giving excuses for the delays.

    Are you able to recommend a qualified person to finish with the TOP inspection submission as I intend to sack him.

    Thanks

     

     

     

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