Building Disputes

When a dispute arises on a building project it can be a costly exercise for all involved. The sooner the dispute gets resolved, the better. Whether you are a builder, sub-contractor, architect, engineer, or supplier of building supplies and products, it is important that you know where you stand if – and when – a dispute occurs.

Building disputes can vary greatly in complexity, and liability is not always clear-cut. Depending on the terms of your contract, you could be liable for the mistakes of another party and unable to recover any compensation from them, even though they were in the wrong. It is important that you understand your rights and responsibilities under every contract into which you enter.

When you are involved in a building dispute, we strongly suggest that you get legal advice as soon as possible. There may be steps you can take to protect your interests or time limits with which you need to comply. We can advise you about any building related matter, including the following:

• Your rights and obligations under the Security of Payment Act 2002 – We can help you get paid faster if you are owed money, or advise you on the processes to comply with if you are served with a Payment Claim;
• The strengths and weaknesses of your case, so that you can make informed decisions throughout the dispute resolution process;
• Negotiating on your behalf with the other party to settle the dispute as soon as practicable;
• Applying for an injunction, where necessary, to protect assets while the dispute is resolved;
• Preparing your case if the matter proceeds to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). This could involve things such as engaging experts to prepare reports, and identify and gather information from potential witnesses; and
• Representing you in VCAT.

We are experienced building dispute lawyers and are thus seasoned in acting for parties from various sectors of the building and construction industry. We can give you practical advice to help sort the dispute out quickly. We can also give you advice to make sure your standard terms and conditions are in good order and help you avoid disputes in the future.

Our building dispute lawyers can be contacted on 1300 907 335 or by filling out the enquiry form on this page.