28 Reasons to have your New Home Building Contract Reviewed before signing
So, you’re about to sign on the dotted line for your new home build? Before you dive in, let’s chat about why it’s crucial to have your building contract reviewed.
Here are 28 reasons why getting that contract checked before you sign is a must:
Avoid Costly Surprises
Get a clear picture of what you’re actually paying for. Reviewing helps avoid any nasty surprises with extra costs.
Understand Your Rights
Make sure you know what you’re entitled to. A review helps you understand your rights and what’s expected from both sides.
Check for Hidden Fees
Builders sometimes slip in extra fees. A review will help spot these before they become a problem.
Confirm Payment Terms
Ensure payment schedules and terms are clear. You don’t want to be left wondering when or how much you need to pay.
Clarify Scope of Work
Make sure everything you’re expecting is in there. A review helps confirm the scope of work so there’s no ambiguity.
Understand your Obligations
Ensure you’re aware of all your legal obligations under the contract.
Verify Material Specifications
Make sure the materials specified in the contract meet your expectations.
Check for Delays and Penalties
Understand what happens if there are delays. Your contract should outline how delays are handled and any penalties involved.
Verify Insurance Requirements
Ensure insurance requirements are met. A review helps confirm that you’re covered if anything goes wrong.
Review Warranty Terms
Check the warranty terms on the build. A review ensures you know what’s covered and for how long.
Understand Your Obligations
Make sure you’re clear on what you’re responsible for. A review helps you understand your obligations and avoid missteps.
Assess Quality Standards
Ensure the contract specifies the quality standards for materials and workmanship. This helps guarantee you’re getting what you paid for.
Check for Change Orders
Make sure there’s a clear process for changes. You don’t want unexpected costs if you decide to make changes mid-build.
Review Dispute Resolution Procedures
Understand how disputes will be handled. A review helps ensure there’s a fair process in place for resolving any issues.
Verify Project Timelines
Confirm the project timelines are realistic and achievable. A review helps manage expectations and avoids future frustration.
Clarify Termination Conditions
Know what happens if you or the builder wants to terminate the contract. A review ensures you’re not left in a difficult situation.
Check Quality of Subcontractors
Make sure any subcontractors are properly listed and their roles are defined. This helps avoid confusion about who’s responsible for what.
Ensure Proper Documentation
Confirm that all necessary documents are included and accurate. A review ensures you have everything you need for a smooth build.
Understand Your Rights During Construction
Know your rights during the construction phase. A review helps ensure you’re protected throughout the build.
Verify Completion Criteria
Ensure the criteria for project completion are clear. A review helps avoid disputes about when the job is considered done.
Check for Special Conditions
Look out for any special conditions or requirements. A review helps identify these and ensures they’re reasonable.
Review Contract Duration
Confirm the contract duration and ensure it aligns with your expectations. A review helps avoid extended timelines.
Check for Delay Clauses
Understand how unexpected events (like weather or supply chain disruptions) are handled.
Verify Builder’s Responsibilities
Ensure the builder’s responsibilities are clearly defined. A review helps clarify what they’re accountable for.
Check Payment Security
Make sure payment terms are secure and fair. A review helps protect you from financial risk.
Review Project Milestones
Confirm that project milestones are realistic and achievable. A review helps ensure the build stays on track.
Ensure Compliance with Building Codes
Check that the contract complies with local building codes and standards. A review helps avoid legal and safety issues.
Get Professional Advice
Finally, a professional review gives you peace of mind. Get advice that helps ensure you’re making informed decisions and protects your investment.
So, there you have it—28 reasons to get that building contract reviewed before you sign. Don’t leave anything to chance! Having your building contract reviewed at the start of your build is worth it to avoid any headaches down the road.
How to make Building a New Home Less Complicated
My favorite thing to do is take the stress out of building a new home.
My services specialise in making the complicated simple by teaching first time home builders about what’s in their building contract before they sign.
Building Contract reviews for New Home Builds & Renovations
If you're looking for a personalised review of your Building Contract at a reasonable price, you can find out more information about my Building Contract Health Checks here.
I support clients with their HIA and Master Builders Home Building contracts from all states in Australia, including Victoria, ACT, Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, WA, and the Northern Territory.
Building Contract reviews are for people who want to understand their contract better before they sign.
If you're a person like me who wants to dive into the details, wants education on what makes a good contract, and what to look out for - then you're a great match for a Building Contract Review with me.
Ultimately, I want you to walk away from our session with confidence to proceed with signing your contract.
We go through any of your questions like how to avoid delays, what to watch out for and how to keep costs within your original building quote.
Thanks for reading and catch you on my next post :)
Annelyse
Construction Management | M. Construction Law
