In our previous blog, I told you how to avoid some of the most common horror stories when undertaking a Melbourne home extension. Today I want to tell you about a little-known problem an increasing number of people are facing. And it has to do with one of the most exciting aspects of extending your home…
Your extension design
When shopping around for an extension builder, it’s tempting to compare plans and ask for quotes from different builders for the same plan. If your plan was prepared by your architect, that’s usually fine. Although your architect owns the copyright, he will usually give you access to the plan through a ‘licence’. But more often than not, people take an extension plan from one builder and ask a different builder to quote on that plan.
In their Information Sheet G017v09 January 2012, the Australia Copyright Council goes as far as to say this:
“If you decide not to build from that plan, it is advisable not to show that plan to anyone you subsequently ask to draw a new plan for you. If the second person does see the earlier plan there may be an inference that that person has consciously or subconsciously copied original elements of the earlier plan.”
With architects and builders eager to protect their intellectual property, this can quickly escalate into a legal battle.
This is a tricky area that can cause you a lot of grief and wasted time and money.
But it’s easily avoided.
Make sure your builder or architect offers a money back guarantee on their design. This way you’ll be covered and don’t have to stress about getting sued. Call us today and we’ll help you develop a plan you will absolutely love, Guaranteed!
