Hi

I have sent the last year getting approved architects drawings for a new build in Varna but, not unexpectedly, the building quote has rissen by over 50%.

I have not found a method of establishing how reputible a builder is.

I just drove down to Bourgas as a developer there, from a small office in an apartment block, is trying to pesuade me to use his services at about 70% of the costs of other quotes and will be fixed.

The builder requires 50% deposite to start paid direct to his company!

Quotes from companies in Varna request a bank account be set up and, like an escrow account but without all the safeguards that you get in the UK. The main problem here, apart from price, is that prices are only estimates.

Non of the current options look inviting.

Any suggestions or advice?

Cliff:

Hi Cliff

You could try contacting Craig Thomas of Bulgarian Villa. He's got bases in the UK and in Varna. Contact numbers are :
Bulgaria
00359 52 60 62 64
00359 898 491 045

UK
07952 091797
01608 642411

or you can email him at info@bulgarian-villa.com

Good luck,

__________________
Jain Goodall, Director, Quest Bulgaria Magazine

Independent advice and information for owning and buying property in Bulgaria
http://www.questbulgaria.com

Hi Cliff,

One of the most important things that I would advise you to do is to prepare and sign contract with the building company. Very often people pay the amounts required by the builder (building company) without having such contract signed which, I think, is a significant mistake.
Try to cover all major points in the contract (term, price, method of payment, sanctions and defaults for non-fulfillment or delay, etc.).
It is not a bad idea to make a Application to the contract and to include there the stage of completion of the object as well as the materials that you require to be used.
Good luck and regards

Bozhidar Damyanov
DK lawyers

Ask to see what they have done before,
Dont pay a big amount at the begining, and pay for a good done work.
Good Luck.

I agree entirely Ivelin. When we did our renovations (I know it's not a new build but the same ideas apply), we paid on a scheduled basis and kept a good 35% for after it was finished - just to make sure was all ok.

The builder was happy with this - any decent builder will be happy with a retainer kept back at the end so that you can be sure everything is correct. It's up to you to negotiate the amounts. And remember, anything not written in a contract does not exist, so be careful!

All the best

__________________
Jain Goodall, Director, Quest Bulgaria Magazine

Independent advice and information for owning and buying property in Bulgaria
http://www.questbulgaria.com