Back to publication
Off the Plan Purchase
October 4, 2019
Buying Off the Plan
A popular way to buy a new unit, townhouse or strata commercial property is to purchase it before building work is even started.
This is called buying ”off the plan” and means you have to:
- make a judgement on the location of the unit and it’s parking within the complex
- read the plans carefully and hopefully comprehend exactly what you are getting
- look at the display unit (if there is one) and decide if the finishes and inclusions are OK
- check that quality of work matches the display unit or schedule of finishes agreed to
- trust that the developer and builder will build a quality product.
Problems can arise when you assume that certain items should have been included in the finished product or are part of supposed industry practice.
In short, the builder or developer will only build what he has agreed to build in the contract. And, even then, things can be changed or ”accidentally” left out. For instance, exhaust fans may be left out, kitchenettes may be in the wrong place, the wrong sized sink may be installed or roof insulation may be missing.
The outcome can be a disaster for you as you face either immediate costs for making unexpected changes or installing missing items or long term expense of rectifying defective work. And that is if you are lucky enough to know about the omissions or defects in the building.
Related Publications
December 8, 2019
The Basic RULES of Waterproofing : Part 1
Waterproofing mistakes are arguably the most costly to everyone. Jerry Tyrrell provides the third in a series of articles that translate the National
December 9, 2019
The Rules of Waterproofing: part 2
WATERPROOFING RULES: PART 1 looked at the main principles of waterproofing we all should know or be able to find quickly. This second part by Jerry Tyrrell delves further into the detail
April 7, 2023
The Property Maintenance Handbook By Tony Ransley and Jerry Tyrrell
Owners and managers of buildings often face...
April 7, 2023
House Hunting By Jerry Tyrrell
If buying a home is one of the most important financial and emotional decisions we make, it is also the classic case of caveat emptor – let...
April 7, 2023
The Pest Pack By Jerry Tyrrell
Since the ’50s we’ve been brainwashed about termites and other serious pests of timber in our buildings. If we find termites, we assume the...
October 20, 2019
How to avoid building disputes
Building disputes don’t need to occur if you get the right tactical advice.
July 11, 2016
Why you need a Tyrrells pre-purchase inspection
After quite a lot of searching you and your partner have found a house to buy. It looks pretty sound and is around the right price.
March 16, 2020
10 Tips for Dealing with Termites
A recent survey indicates that 1 in 3 houses in Australia are dealing with subterranean termite
April 7, 2023
Owner-Builder Handbook By Jerry Tyrrell, Tony Ransley and Jane Tyrrell
This publication is an essential reference tool for...
December 13, 2019
Checking the National Construction Code Is Essential
We need a simple and agreed way of self-assessing and quality assuring building work against the regulations. Jerry Tyrrell pleads for clarity.
December 1, 2017
Wet Area Floor Wastes and Falls in Floor Tiles
Complaints about the above items come up regularly and many cases have been tested at NCAT, with the outcomes ranging from no defect,
December 13, 2019
A Translation of the NCC
In mid-September Jerry presented a paper at the ABCB’s Building Australia’s Future Conference.
October 22, 2019
Defects Inspection Reports and Building Problems
Even with the best of intentions, things can go wrong when you start out building or renovating, and you end up in a dispute with your builder
December 13, 2019
Building Safe and Compliant Stairs
It’s up to designers, builders and contractors to blend the basics of stair construction with
December 4, 2019
Builders – ‘Terrorised’by Excess Information
The man on a mission, Jerry Tyrrell, emphasis the fact that builders need easily accessible and understandable regulatory information, and they need it now.
December 5, 2019
Building Properly is Simpler Than We Thought
I realised this year that everything we need to know to build properly is even simpler than what I’ve been saying.
December 10, 2019
The Best Way to Build is to Build Properly
I’ve been watching our industry for nearly 50 years. Mistakes cost us a fortune every year. I reckon we waste over $5b on rectification or maintenance work we don’t like doing.
January 9, 2020
What Is a Timber Pest Inspection?
Most lending authorities and wise consumers require a
October 21, 2019
Timber and pest Advice – a technical guide
Here is all you need to know to perform a reasonably detailed inspection of your property.
November 1, 2019
The Typical Auction
If you are planning to buy at auction thorough preparation for each purchase is essential. If you plan to bid you must do all the research before the auction day.
October 13, 2019
How to Deal with building disputes – Step by Step
When you live in Australia, termites are a fact of life. However, there are only three species which do real damage to timbers in your home and in all cases,
December 15, 2019
Walking the Walk – Access RULES: Part 1
The RULES project that Connection Magazines and I are preparing is intended in part as a valid alternative to the sometimes confusing and expensive Australian Standards.
December 16, 2019
The inside story – Access RULES: part 2
This is the 2nd Article about Access into our buildings. We now look at what we can do to make it easier for every person to use
December 16, 2019
Let There Be Light
Lighting is an important part of the homeand serves both an aesthetic and practical purpose. While lighting design is usually the
December 15, 2019
A Discussion with Jerry Tyrrell About Various Building Industry Issues
Publisher Jeff Patchell recently caught up with columnist Jerry Tyrrell to discuss how his acceptable Construction practice
April 4, 2016
Instances of a dilapidation report
Consultants assess and report on the condition of buildings and quality of building work. In practice, this requires objectivity,
December 14, 2019
Building Products: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
Jerry Tyrrell shares a couple of contrasting case studies that highlight the good, bad and the ugly when it comes to building products and customer service in this country.
December 12, 2019
The Secrets of Beautiful Buildings
Builders have shaped everything beautiful in the civilised world. We need to make sure that our work is treasured and
December 11, 2019
Builders Can Help Insurance Companies Become All-weather Friends
Are insurers fair-weather friends? Jerry Tyrrell sets out the issues and puts forward solutions.
December 9, 2019
Let’s Emancipate Building Knowledge by Making Standards FREE
The Australian Building Codes Board has made the NCC available for free online, so what about standards?
December 7, 2019
Science can be Applied to the Building Industry to Prevent Conflict
Jerry Tyrrell explains how the fundamentals of science can be applied to the building industry when it comes to conflict prevention and solution.
December 6, 2019
Window & Door Rules for Builders
Jerry Tyrell continues his RULES project by focussing on windows and doors.
October 18, 2019
A guide for a trouble-free building
Tens of thousands of building projects go wrong every year. Most of the trouble starts from a combination of errors and omissions in the plans,
October 4, 2019
Off the Plan Purchase
A popular way to buy a new unit, townhouse or strata commercial property is to purchase it before building work is even started.
September 28, 2018
The anatomy of building
Builders are working hard to build well but there are so many groups gouging and obstructing what they do.
June 27, 2016
Don’t let a building problem escalate into a dispute
Both parties usually start off trusting each other and want the project to proceed to completion with a minimum of stress.
June 23, 2016
Building design: Box gutters – friend or foe?
Are you considering building your new dream home? If so, I’m sure you have done the rounds looking at display homes, checking out magazine and internet articles,
June 2, 2016
DIY inspections – A good idea or not?
It’s tempting to think that with some sort of checklist you can do a pre-purchase inspection on a property yourself. STOP and reconsider! Yes, in the short-term
May 30, 2016
Asbestos compliance: WHS Regulations 2011
Owners Corporations face on the spot fines of up to $33,000 per breach in relation to asbestos in buildings constructed prior to 1 January 2004.
May 26, 2016
Top 10 Tips When Buying Pre-purchase Reports
This is the transcript of a recent interview between Stephen Ransley, General Manager of Tyrrells Property Inspections, and Lisa Tremolada from Maddisons Real Estate
May 2, 2016
Keeping Fire Stairs Safe
Fire isolated stairs are constructed mainly for use in emergencies. The Building Code of Australia (BCA) Performance Requirement DP2 requires all
April 5, 2016
DIY pest inspection: Does your home have white ant damage?
Termites (or white ants) usually operate as a colony. Termites live in nests made by worker termites who seek food away from the nest and destroy
April 5, 2016
Hot property: Building in bushfire areas
Are you considering developing your land or buying a property close to bushland, open fields or even wet lands? If so, do you know what level of bushfire protection your development will need
March 21, 2016
The Truth About Termites
Termites are a concern in the Australian building industry, but separating popular beliefs from hard facts can sometimes be diffi cult.
August 13, 2015
Clearing Away the Smoke
In my three articles on the Building Code of Australia (winter, spring, and summer 2006) I mentioned how it handles fire safety.
July 17, 2013
Looking for an architect?
can provide you with quality design advice, and prepare all your documentation for approval and construction.
July 16, 2013
Building below ground level…Keeping dry
Some building work is more complex than others, and the more complex it is the more costly the mistakes. Building below ground level throws up more technical problems than you may think.
May 1, 2013
As easy as ABC?
Every year thousands of home owners take on the task of renovating their homes. Sometimes they do it as owner-builders/home renovators and sometimes they engage a licensed builder.
April 23, 2013
Doing the right thing by your clients
Building contractors have a very special place in most clients’ hearts. Builders can be the ‘keepers’ of so many good things. If you do the right thing by your clients,
April 23, 2013
Fire Safety Measures – The burning issue
Incorporating fire safety measures into a renovation or new build is essential in order to safeguard against the potential threat of a house fire or bushfire.
October 8, 2012
Tyrrells Plans & Approvals wins Two Building Design Awards
On 31 August 2012 at the BDA (Building Designers Association) Design Awards 2012, Tyrrells Plans & Approvals received commendations in the categories of ‘Commercial Alterations & Additions’ and ‘Non-residential Interiors’ for their work on The Salvation Army project in Auburn.
September 7, 2012
Tyrrells turns 80,000
We’ve come a long way since Tyrrells co-founder Peter Ellis carried out Australia’s first ever pre-purchase inspection in 1976
August 9, 2012
Tyrrells has solved the Emergency Management riddle
Australian Standard AS 3745 – 2010 ‘Planning for emergencies in facilities’ requires building owners to have procedures in place for the controlled evacuation of buildings,
July 9, 2012
‘Consult the experts’ – SMH Domain talks to Stephen Ransley
In an article ‘Time is on their side’, published in the Domain section of Sydney Morning Herald (30 June 2012),
March 26, 2012
Top 10 mistakes when renovating or building
Australians are trading their homes less often. Times are tough and the market will not pay for any mistakes you make with renovations or additions.
November 16, 2011
Time period for home warranty claims reduced
Recent amendments to the Home Building Act 1989 have implications for home owners, builders, developers and owners corporations.
December 24, 2010
Tyrrells on compulsory vendor reports
General Manager of Tyrrells Property Inspections, Stephen Ransley, was recently interviewed by
June 30, 2010
Builders warranty insurance deemed a ‘junk product’
This was on the ABC a bit over a year ago and was flagged by senior consultant
June 6, 2006
A Chimney Piece
During a Pre-Purchase Inspection it is not practical to test how well a chimney “draws” the smoke from the fireplace but some rules of thumb include
Talk to the experts
Just one call away: 1300131270