The variation that isn't a variation

So, when you build using a design and build company (as we are), once plans are finished and approved, anything changed becomes a variation and the company can charge $500 as a "variation fee" on top of the price to do the actual changed work. The cynic in me considers this nothing more than a cash grab anyway. 

So, we discovered that the gas hot water heater was going to be plonked onto a wall that was going to end up being right in the middle of our outdoor decked area. Less than ideal when you consider the water heater itself is a pretty ugly slug of a thing. 

Fortunately, the manufacturer must think the same (ugly slug), as they sell a neat recess box which can recess into the wall cavity and hide the slug (and the associated pipes and wiring). Naturally, when we discovered slug was gonna be in an awkward place, we asked for a price for the recess box. 

The company, in quoting this, has chucked a Variation Fee on it for good measure. Despite the fact that if they'd bothered to share the intended location of the slug, we'd have asked about the recess box weeks ago. 

We've asked them to waive the fee as it seems a bit rough that we had no chance to remedy it before it became a "variation". 

Hopefully they play ball, we can have it sorted, and get the papers off to Council for their approval so we can get a move on. 

Neighboring sections have started earthwork and I'm suffering serious FOMO. 

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