The BILD Lab Podcast

Episode 22: Cooling Off Periods for Victorian Building Contracts

Cooling off periods give Victorian homeowners a short window to withdraw from a major domestic building contract after signing. This episode explains when the cooling off period starts, how the five clear business days are calculated, and why the exact time you receive a signed contract can affect your rights. It also covers what happens to any money paid if you withdraw, including the limited amount a builder is entitled to keep. The episode also explains the key exceptions where cooling off rights do not apply, including situations where legal advice has been obtained or where there has already been a prior contract for substantially the same work on the same land. This is practical, general information to help homeowners understand how cooling off periods work in real building projects in Victoria.

Episode 21: Site Access

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.

Episode 20: Defective Works Introduction

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.

Episode 19: Terminating a Building Contract

In this episode, we explain how termination of a building contract works in Victoria and why it is one of the most high-risk decisions a homeowner can make. We discuss repudiation, statutory termination rights under the Domestic Building Contracts Act, termination clauses in standard contracts, and the practical consequences that can follow if a contract is ended incorrectly.

Episode 18: Contract Formalities

In this episode, we take a deeper look at the formal requirements of a Victorian building contract and why getting the details right at the start is so important. We explain how party details operate in domestic building contracts, the difference between contracting with an individual builder and a building company, and why companies are separate legal entities. We also discuss the role of nominee directors, the risks associated with licence lending, and why the builder named in the contract must match the builder named on the domestic building insurance policy. This episode is designed to help homeowners understand how seemingly minor errors in contract details can have serious consequences if a dispute arises or insurance needs to be relied upon.