Final payments & render

[Steve007]

Hi,

 

1) New to this forum and just picking the brains of the experts to help. I do DIY but got builder in to do an extension.

they requested 95% of the money on a ‘final invoice’ and there is still about 2 days of work to go. They texted me in the evening asking for £7k the next day with ‘need to pay loads of wages…’ I think it would be foolish to hand it over as it’s too early and no incentive for snags, chase up building cert, etc. Jobs not done yet. We have paid 83% so far and I think we are being reasonable and want to be seen as that.

 

2) Should render scratch coat be about 2 inches below DPC? It’s also about 2 inches above the ground. Is it too low.

 

Any help appreciated.

 

Thanks

[Andehh]

our render finished at DPC, though in some areas where the DPC was much higher (building in a slope and house is half stepped) they rendered further down. Having the render at DPC also reduces dirty splashing into render.

 

Pay in arrears, always. We paid 2.5% on practical completion as one retainer, then a final 2.5% 6 months after practical completion(when we move in) to keep him motivated on snagging and defects. This is normal and the default with JCT contracts, and as our builder suggested we do it.

 

 Your builder's cash flow is not your problem, as the second you lose that financial leverage you are exposed.

 

 

Edit.... If you are rendering, which itself is an expensive packet of work, how close to completion are you?

Edited August 12 by Andehh