Contracts · 7 min read
Five clauses to check before you sign a building contract
Payment stages, delays, defects, variations and handover, in plain language.
Building disputes are among the most common matters we handle. Nearly all of them come back to five clauses that were vague, missing or never read.
1. Payment stages
Pay against finished work, not dates. Each stage should describe what must be completed and who confirms it.
2. Delays and 3. defects
Agree what happens if the work runs late, and how long the builder must return to fix defects after handover.
4. Variations and 5. handover
Every change should be written and priced before it is built. Handover should come with a checklist, keys, warranties and drawings.
A clear contract is the cheapest dispute lawyer you will ever hire.