Building Disputes 
Building your own home, extending or renovating can be an exciting time but, even with the best intentions, construction projects can and do go wrong.
To reduce the risk of becoming involved in a dispute – it’s important that you act quickly to seek legal advice before you prepare or sign any building contract.
While seeking advice at the outset can minimise the risk of a dispute occurring, building disputes can and do occur. If you are a builder or a property owner and you feel that a dispute is emerging then it’s important that you act quickly to seek legal advice to reduce the risk of becoming involved in a protracted dispute. With the right advice and guidance you can resolve the dispute in a timely and cost effective manner.
What should I do if I become involved in a dispute?
If you find yourself involved in a disagreement about building works – whether commercial, domestic or, in NSW, 'residential', Slater & Gordon strongly recommend that you seek prompt legal advice to ensure that your rights and entitlements are fully protected.
Slater & Gordon’s experienced construction lawyers can help. We will work with you to thoroughly assess the relevant issues and advise you frankly of the legal options and avenues available to bring the dispute to an end.
We have extensive experience in acting for builders, sub-contractors and property owners to achieve successful resolution of disputes and routinely handle issues which can occur in domestic / residential and commercial projects including:
- Defective and incomplete building work
- Late payment or failure to make progress payments under the contract
- Building work that does not comply with the building contract, drawings, specifications, the Building Code of Australia, conditions of approval, legislative requirements or implied contractual terms
- Variations to the works
- Time and programming matters, particularly relating to liquidated damages, delay costs and extensions of time
- Ambiguously worded contracts
- Security of Payment legislation which may assist unpaid builders, sub-contractors, suppliers and consultants in New South Wales and Victoria
- Arbitrations, expert determinations, references out
- Alternative dispute resolution
- Court and tribunal proceedings.
Our objective at all times is to reduce your risk of becoming involved in a dispute that might lead to costly litigation.
Slater & Gordon act Australia-wide for consumers and clients from across the construction industry including owners, builders, sub-contractors, suppliers, architects, engineers and project managers.
Our people
Talk to us
If you face a disagreement or dispute about building works, please contact us either by email or by calling direct on 1800 555 777.