The Urban Developer
AdvertiseEventsWebinars
Urbanity
Awards
Sign In
Membership
Latest
Menu
Location
Sector
Category
Content
Type
Newsletters
FINAL CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR URBANITY-25 JOIN MORE THAN 550 ALREADY ATTENDING
LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR URBANITY 550+ ALREADY ATTENDING
REGISTER NOWDETAILS
TheUrbanDeveloper
Follow
About
About Us
Membership
Awards
Events
Webinars
Listings
Resources
Terms & Conditions
Commenting Policy
Privacy Policy
Republishing Guidelines
Editorial Charter
Complaints Handling Policy
Contact
General Enquiries
Advertise
Contribution Enquiry
Project Submission
Membership Enquiry
Newsletter
Stay up to date and with the latest news, projects, deals and features.
Subscribe
ADVERTISEMENT
SHARE
print
Print
OtherStaff WriterThu 10 Aug 17

Retaining Control of your Project in Development

pep-sponsored

It’s hard to overstate the importance of due diligence on a project. In a property market where finance is heavily constrained, corporate and individual investors are looking more closely at ways to leverage, and one of those ways involves buying land and contracting the delivery of the improvements.

This process should encompass a systematic review and analysis of “the promise” against the “reality”, to ensure a thoroughly informed assessment of the risks associated with such a transaction are covered.

The design and construct model in Australia is riddled with complications. The responsibility falls on the developer to establish the best brief and consistently check quality – while maintaining an understanding of the project requirements and changes. This is not often identified at the outset.

This can be problematic – if you spend a day in any administrative tribunal around Australia you’ll find the Court’s littered with these sorts of design and construct standard contract disputes.

Not only does the principal have less control over the design and outcome but the design development is often difficult to distinguish what is a true “variation” which may be the source of disputes.

Graham Upton, Principal at PEP, explains that purchasers, developers and funders all have an underlying level of positive expectation when they embark on a process, “More often than not, they find out “all too late” that their idyllic perception did not materialise and the outcome is markedly different from expectation.”

“There is no argument about quality of advice being an issue, as not all advisers and consultants are created equal.” Upton said.

Obtaining practical guidance and advice on quantifiable future costs is paramount. The legal maxim, caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) is a guiding precedent in all property transactions. Unless the seller explicitly promises something about the physical condition of a property, the party contracting to receive the improvements must take all reasonable steps to present their requirements as clearly as possible.

Gaining an understanding of the condition, design and suitability of the property requires good advice.

According to Upton, the benefits of advice far outweigh the costs, particularly if your advisor is on your side from the outset, “The secret is to establish the right parameters and framework to get the right advice at the right time and to have them as ‘partners’ in the process.

“The challenge is getting them to think beyond their own discipline and become singularly focused on best property/development outcome. Don’t corral advisers or treat them as a defined resource – find out how they see your project beyond their specific discipline and make sure they understand what the outcome has to be.”
So, what is the “cost” of good advice?
“Nothing” Upton says, “This is justified by offsetting advisory costs against saved delivery time, reduced aggravation, clarity of project design, heavily reduced contract adjustments and many other less tangible benefits.

“A good adviser/client relationship requires involvement from the outset and constant communication, so that the thoughts of everyone are considered early enough to achieve the best outcome – the collaborative process needs to take precedence.” Upton said.

“We are swamped with activities that can both confuse and distract us – focusing on what is needed for a good project outcome requires discipline, attention to detail and time.”

It appears the old adage, “you reap what you sow” certainly maintains its relevance in seeking advice for a good development outcome.

The Urban Developer is proud to partner with PEP Solutions to deliver this article to you. In doing so, we can continue to publish our free daily news, information, insights and opinion to you, our valued readers. 

OtherAustraliaConstructionConstructionOther
AUTHOR
Staff Writer
"TheUrbanDeveloper.com is committed to delivering the latest news, reviews, opinions and insights into the best of urban development from Australia and around the world. "
More articles by this author
ADVERTISEMENT
TOP STORIES
Warren and Mahoney Western Bulldogs Women's Health and Leadership Hub HERO
Exclusive

Beyond the Boys’ Club: Inclusive Architecture Disrupting Sporting Precincts

Leon Della Bosca
7 Min
Exclusive

Inside the $10m Heritage Refit of Sydney’s $25,000-a-Year Members’ Club

Taryn Paris
4 Min
Kurraba Point 93 Kurraba Road TUD PLUS
Residential

Council Over Court: How HFO Won Rare North Sydney Approval

Vanessa Croll
7 Min
Exclusive

Why Sentinel is Betting Big on Olympic City Office Sector

Phil Bartsch
5 Min
The Port of Brisbane has released its Vision 2060 which details the need for inland rail connectivity
Infrastructure

Brisbane Port’s $15bn Future Faces One Big Obstacle

Renee McKeown
5 Min
View All >
Court Place in the Subi East precinct is set to deliver 447 new homes, including 300 affordable and 147 social homes in a prime location just four kilometres from the Perth CBD.
Community

Providers Selected for Subi, East Freo Housing Projects

Renee McKeown
Goldfields Kyneton Central Edgecombe Road precinct rendering
Development

Goldfields Forges Ahead on $150m Kyneton Central Hub

Leon Della Bosca
An aerial view of Ipswich, whose suburb Springfield Lakes, had the highest number of house sales for Queensland in Q2, 2025.
Residential

Ipswich Suburb Leads Queensland House Sales

Marisa Wikramanayake
A quiet dark horse in the race, Ipswich's Springfield Lakes has now topped Queensland's house sales list for the second …
LATEST
Court Place in the Subi East precinct is set to deliver 447 new homes, including 300 affordable and 147 social homes in a prime location just four kilometres from the Perth CBD.
Community

Providers Selected for Subi, East Freo Housing Projects

Renee McKeown
3 Min
Goldfields Kyneton Central Edgecombe Road precinct rendering
Development

Goldfields Forges Ahead on $150m Kyneton Central Hub

Leon Della Bosca
3 Min
An aerial view of Ipswich, whose suburb Springfield Lakes, had the highest number of house sales for Queensland in Q2, 2025.
Residential

Ipswich Suburb Leads Queensland House Sales

Marisa Wikramanayake
5 Min
Development

Zen Group’s West End Towers Greenlit

Taryn Paris
2 Min
View All >
ADVERTISEMENT
Article originally posted at: https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/retaining-control-project-development