For many families, their home is the single biggest investment of their lives. As Consumer Affairs Minister Nick Staikos noted in the second reading speech introducing the reforms, a home is “the foundation of their future,” which makes it essential that Victoria’s laws around domestic building contracts are “clear, effective and modernised” to protect […]
Major Shake-Up for Domestic Building Contracts in Victoria Read More »
Building a home is meant to be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. It’s where savings, ideas, and emotions come together to create something meaningful – a place to live, grow, and feel safe. But sometimes, the process doesn’t go to plan. Defective work, delays, or even a builder who walks
When Construction Goes Wrong, Insurance Can Step In Read More »
When you sign a domestic building contract, you might assume that everything you’re agreeing to is written on the page. But what if we told you that, under Victorian law, you’re also agreeing to a series of promises outlined in legislation? These promises are known as implied warranties – non-negotiable obligations that apply by law
The Hidden Promises in Your Building Contract Read More »
Building or renovating your home can be one of the most exciting times in your life – but it can also be one of the most stressful. Between the plans, the costs, and the endless decisions, it’s easy to overlook one of the most important parts of the process: the building contract. If you’re
What’s in Your Building Contract? Read More »
In the world of construction, getting paid on time isn’t always a given, especially for subcontractors. Small businesses often find themselves chasing payments or bearing the financial fallout from delays further up the contracting chain. It’s a long-standing problem, and in 2016, the Australian Government decided it was time to step in and seek
Murray Review and Recent Government Response Read More »
Are you a new homeowner in a residential complex over three storeys high? Do you worry that your builder may have cut corners – leaving you with defects, stress, and little recourse to make things right? This time, the government has your back. With new legislation, you’re no longer left powerless. No longer will
Victoria Strengthens Insurance Rights for High-Rise Apartment Owners Read More »
You’ve just moved into your dream home – a place you saved for, hoped for, and imagined for years. But within months, the dream begins to crack – literally. A leaky roof. Warped floorboards. A builder who won’t return your calls. And a system that tells you there’s little it can do unless your
Finally, Real Protection for Homeowners in Low-Rise Buildings Read More »
Case Summary: Imerva Corp Pty Ltd v Kuna [2017] VSCA 168 (Imerva) In building contracts, every signature matters – literally. In Imerva, a couple’s decision to initial rather than formally sign a crucial document clause unraveled a $2 million construction deal. The case is a sharp warning to builders and homeowners alike: skip a
The Signature That Changed Everything: Lessons from a $2M Building Dispute Read More »
In this analysis, we will take a closer look at Martinus Rail Pty Ltd v Qube RE Services (No 2) Pty Ltd (No 2) [2024] NSWSC 1223, a significant development to the Security of Payments regime. When a builder or contractor turns to adjudication to resolve a payment dispute, they expect a fair hearing
Martinus Rail v Qube: Right to a Fair Hearing Read More »
Snapshot Judgment debts and adjudication can be complex territory – especially when there’s a dispute over payment and defects. Consider this scenario: you withhold payment from a builder because you believe their work is defective. The builder takes the dispute to adjudication, and the adjudicator determines that you actually do owe the builder