BUILDING CONTRACT CHECKLIST · VICTORIA
Before You Sign a Building Contract: A Victorian Homeowner Checklist
A building contract should make the project clearer, not create new uncertainty. Read the scope and documents together before you sign.
Short answer
Before signing, check the builder’s registration, the complete scope, plans and specifications, contract price, deposit and progress-payment structure, start and completion provisions, allowances, exclusions, variation procedure and site access arrangements. For major domestic building contracts, Victorian law requires specific information and consumer protections.
Make sure the documents describe the same project
Read the contract together with the drawings, specification, schedules and quoted inclusions. If an important finish, fixture or item of work is not clearly documented, resolve it before signing.
Consumer Affairs Victoria recommends including detailed selections and responsibilities so both parties know what the contract price covers.
Check the builder and contract basics
- ✓Builder or building company registration is current and suitable for the work
- ✓Names, addresses and registration details are correct
- ✓Scope of work is detailed
- ✓Contract price and payment structure are clear
- ✓Start, completion and delay provisions are understandable
- ✓Plans and specifications are identified and attached where required
Understand allowances and exclusions
Prime cost items, provisional sums and exclusions can affect the final amount you pay. Make sure the allowances are realistic for the quality and scope you expect.
If a quote looks significantly cheaper, check whether it simply leaves more items outside the fixed scope.
Know how changes will be handled
Read the variation procedure before signing. Changes during construction can affect price, permits and completion time, so the approval process should be understood at the beginning rather than during a disagreement.
If you are unsure about a legally binding term, obtain independent legal advice before signing.
Questions homeowners ask
When is a major domestic building contract required in Victoria?+
Consumer Affairs Victoria currently states that domestic building work over the statutory threshold must use a major domestic building contract. Check the current official guidance for the threshold and requirements when you are ready to sign.
Should plans and specifications be part of the contract?+
They should be clearly identified and sufficiently detailed for the agreed scope. The contract documents need to work together so there is no ambiguity about what is being built.
What are provisional sums and prime cost items?+
They are allowances used where an item or part of the work is not fully fixed at contract time. The final cost can differ from the allowance, so understand what has been assumed.
Should I get legal advice before signing?+
If you are unsure about any term or the commercial effect of the contract, independent legal advice can help you understand the document before you commit.
Ready to discuss your project?
Tell EBC what you are planning and we will help you work through the practical next steps.
Related EBC pages
- Choose a Registered Builder in Victoria
- Building Variations Explained
- Home Building Process in Victoria
- New Home Building Costs