Contract, using a builder (NSW, Australia)

I have been talking to a builder about building a granny flat in our back yard.
We will be living in the house while construction proceeds.

The builder has given us a fixed quote but wants to use the "Housing Industry Association Contract for Renovations and Additions".
We will be "owners in residence" in the existing house on the property during construction.

I gather that there are several types of building contract e.g. the Fair Trading one etc, but that most of them don't cater for an "owners in residence" situation because they assume the builder has exclusive access to the property.

Assuming that the "Housing Industry Association Contract for Renovations and Additions" contract is the go, I am sure that there are other people who have been down this path before, so I was wondering what clause changes you made?

One immediate change I should perhaps make is is to strike out:

Clause 19. Delays and extensions of time
The builder is entitled to a reasonable extension of the building period if the building works are doelayed by the builder suspending the building works under clause 25 or from a cause beyond the sole control of the builder:
(f) anything done or not done by the owner.

Then again I have heard that the Fair Trading contract is the fairest one?

Would appreciate input, thanks.


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