The BILD Lab Podcast | Podcast in RSS.com

The BILD Lab Podcast

The BILD Lab Podcast

di Josh Whittingham

Casa e giardino

Stagione 1

Cooling Off Periods In Domestic Building Contracts

In this episode, we discuss cooling off periods under domestic building contracts. This is not legal advice.

Site Access For Domestic Building Contracts

In this episode of the BILD Lab podcast, we explain how site access works once a building contract is signed and why homeowners are usually restricted from freely entering the site. We discuss temporary fencing, safety and insurance considerations, and why builders often need to be present when homeowners attend the site. We also cover how site access affects independent and private inspections, why timing inspections can be difficult, and how homeowners can plan ahead by communicating with their builder before stage completions. This episode helps homeowners understand how to stay involved in their build without creating safety, insurance, or contractual issues. This is not legal advice.

Introduction to Defective Building Works

In this episode of the BILD Lab podcast, we explain what defective work actually means under a Victorian domestic building contract. We break down how defects are defined under the Domestic Building Contracts Act, how statutory warranties operate, and why work can be defective even if it looks acceptable, where it does not meet the standards or specifications set out in the contract. This is not building or legal advice.

Terminating A Domestic Building Contract

In this episode of the BILD Lab podcast, we explain why terminating a building contract is one of the most serious steps a homeowner can take. We discuss how termination can trigger significant legal and financial consequences, and why ending a contract incorrectly can place the homeowner in breach rather than the builder. We break down key concepts such as repudiation, the limited circumstances where termination rights arise under the Domestic Building Contracts Act, and how standard HIA and Master Builders contracts deal with termination for breach. We also explain why having a right to terminate does not necessarily mean it is the best outcome. Finally, we look at the practical consequences of termination, including increased completion costs, the difficulty of engaging a replacement builder, and the often-overlooked insurance risks that arise when a project is left without a builder on site. This is not legal advice.

The Formalities Of A Building Contract

In this episode of the BILD Lab podcast, we explain why the formalities of a building contract matter, particularly when it comes to identifying the correct parties. We discuss contracting with individuals versus companies, the role of nominee directors, builder registration details, and why the builder named in the contract must match the domestic building insurance policy. This episode helps homeowners understand how getting these details wrong can affect their rights and protections if a dispute arises. This is not legal advice.

Builder's Registration

In this episode of the BILD Lab podcast, we take a detailed look at builder due diligence and the checks homeowners should carry out before entering into a building contract. We explain how to verify a builder’s registration through the Building and Plumbing Commission, what different registration classes such as DB-U, CDB-U and DB-L actually mean, and why the registration class must match the type and value of work being proposed. We also discuss how company registrations work, including the role of nominee directors and why a company’s ability to build depends on the ongoing registration of an individual practitioner. This episode covers why checking the disciplinary register is an important part of due diligence, what it can reveal about a builder’s history, and how ASIC searches can help confirm a builder’s corporate status. A separate linked video walks through, step by step, how to carry out these registration searches yourself - which can be accessed here.

Building Specifications in Domestic Building

In this episode of the BILD Lab podcast, we explain what specifications are in a building contract and why they are just as important as the plans. We break down how specifications record materials, fixtures and finishes, how selections made at colour appointments are documented, and why specifications often take precedence over plans if there is an inconsistency. This episode helps homeowners understand how specifications control what is actually supplied and installed during a build, and why reviewing them carefully before signing is critical. This is not legal advice.

Plans and Drawings

In this episode of the BILD Lab podcast, we take a detailed look at the different types of plans and drawings used in residential construction and explain how they are read and applied on site. We walk through architectural floor plans, elevations, site plans, structural and engineering drawings, as well as common working drawings such as electrical and floor covering plans. This episode is designed to help homeowners understand what is included in a typical set of plans, what information each drawing actually shows, and why no single plan tells the full story of a build. By understanding how plans and drawings work together, homeowners can better follow the construction process, identify issues early, and avoid confusion or disputes during their build. This is not legal advice.

Stage Payments in Domestic Building Contracts

In this episode, we break down how stage payments actually work in a Victorian domestic building contract and why they are one of the most important milestone points for homeowners during a build. We explain what a builder is really saying when they issue a stage payment invoice, how milestones like base, frame, lockup, fixing and completion are meant to be assessed, and why paying too early can make defects much harder to address later. This episode also covers how stage payments are defined under section 40 of the Domestic Building Contracts Act, why many contracts follow the statutory “method one” payment schedule, and how special conditions can change when a stage is considered complete. We discuss the role of independent inspections, mandatory building surveyor inspections, and when a homeowner can legitimately withhold payment if a stage has not been properly completed. If you’re building a new home in Victoria, this episode will help you understand when stage payments are actually due, the risks of delaying payment without proper grounds, and how to use stage payments to better manage quality, costs and disputes during construction. This is not legal advice.

Preliminary Agreements: The Contract You Sign Before the Contract

In this episode, we explain how preliminary agreements work in residential building projects and why they can create real legal and financial risks for homeowners if they are not structured correctly. We discuss when a preliminary agreement is caught by the Domestic Building Contracts Act, when it must be treated as a Major Domestic Building Contract, and why the $10,000 threshold matters. We also break down common examples such as agreements for plans and specifications, the difference between builder-prepared plans and architect-prepared plans, and how preliminary agreements can become tied to the main building contract. This episode is designed to help Victorian homeowners understand when a preliminary agreement stands alone, when it becomes a collateral agreement, and what to look out for before signing anything. This content is general information only and is not legal or building advice.

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