@swoo said:
What can I do to delay until Owners can look at an alternative quote. The work is estimated to be around $185,000 and is considered non structural as reported by engineers.
Get a verbal quote from the alternative contractors then stand up at the meeting and propose an amendment to the strata manager’s motion that:
a) Other quotes be considered – including yours.
b) alternative means of financing the project be considered, such as strata loans, rather than everyone having to pay large amounts of money up front.
Your problem is that everyone at the meeting has seen the agenda but not your alternative. So print up a very simple and non-abusive A4 or half-page that says something like the text below.
Hand that out to the other owners at the start of the meeting and then speak to it. Try to avoid allegations of corruption or preferential treatment – let your fellow owners come to any such conclusions themselves.
If you can find someone in the room prepared to support your case by asking relevant questions, so much the better.
Another meeting will cost about $500 tops to arrange. Your potential savings would have to be more than that to make this worthwhile.
If your alternative contractor can’t provide even a guesstimate before the meeting, I wouldn’t bother. That would portray a worrying lack of motivation to me.
Item XX on your agenda
As approved by the strata committee, I have received a quote from the highly reputable firm of [INSERT NAME] who will do the work for $xxx,xxx.
I also know there are ways of financing this work that will not involve huge one-off special levies which may cause hardship with some owners.
Please support the amendment I propose (below) so that we, the owners, can consider all options available to us and make an informed decision at a later date.
AMENDMENT:
I propose we consider an amendment to motion XX, that, before a final decision is made at a subsequent general meeting:
a) Other quotes be considered.
b) alternative means of financing the project be considered, such as strata loans, rather than everyone having to pay large amounts of money up front.