Lynda

Some builders clearly see site maintenance as a 'second visit to the well' i.e. another way to screw money out of buyers.

I can tell you from the other side so to speak that the owners can be very difficult when it comes to paying a fair amount for work done eg payments coming in late ( 3+ late) extending agreed season every year but not wanting to pay extra. Expecting you to look after rental properties because you have a maintennce contract ... not with them but with the block. calling a midnight to be let in because forgot key but not wanting to pay for the call out.......not wanting to close pool before 10 therefore to clean and put chemicals in puts you there at midnight......... I could go on but I won't.. becasue I actually agree with Immac on all her points.

There is though an awful lot of builders who are misleading their owners and this forum is a good way of identifying aspects of this... but remember that not all property maintenencece firms belong to builders... I am independent and up to this year was only doing property maintences not sales.