Generally, the building contract outlines the general rights and responsibilities of the builder and the homeowner. If you have any queries with any of the terms of the building contract, it is very important to consult a lawyer before you sign it.

It is also important to remember that the salesperson you speak with before signing the contract is generally not the builder, so make sure any promises made by the salesperson are in the contract.

Contracts that allow the costs of the project to be calculated as a "running tab" are called "cost - plus" contracts. Such contracts must be titled "cost-plus contract". As it is difficult to monitor and control the ongoing costs of a building contract, it is recommended that you think very carefully before entering a cost-plus contract and seek expert advice.

For most building contracts, a figure can be calculated (including certain estimates explained under "Payment details") for the total cost of the building project. Such contracts are called "lump sum" contracts.

Regarding the rest of the information in this section, we will assume that you have been given a lump sum contract for the building of your house.

The building contract usually includes a payment schedule. The schedule sets out how much building work must be completed before the next instalment or "progress payment" is due.

The first payment under the contract is usually a deposit and should be limited to the builder's initial costs. Under the Home Building Contracts Act 1991, for building contracts valued between $7,500 and $500,000, the builder cannot ask for more than 6.5% of the contract price as a deposit.

Before signing the building contract, you should check that arrangements for the release of progress payments are acceptable to you and your lender. The builder usually submits an invoice before a progress payment is due. Your lender may make the progress payments directly to the builder on your behalf.

Most contracts specify a total amount for the building work. Two areas where the costs are estimated in the contract are:

• the cost of goods you will select during construction (known as prime costs); and
• the cost of work, which cannot be known with certainty (known as provisional sums).

If the actual costs (including the builder's margin) are less than the estimated costs, the builder will pay you the difference. However, if the actual costs (including the builder's margin) are underestimated, you are required to pay the difference to the builder. Your builder must use reasonable care and skill when estimating costs in the contract.

In relation to building contracts, the builder can include a term in the contract that allows for prices to be changed if the builder faces or incurs an increase in costs if:

• government taxes or charges increase after the contract is signed; or
• a State or Federal government law changes and affects the builder's costs; or
• work does not start on the project within 45 days from the signing of the contract (and the delay is not caused by the builder).

Your builder cannot prevent you or your representative from inspecting the building work. However, you should ensure that you do not unreasonably interfere with the building work. In the building contract, the builder may seek your agreement to limit your inspections to normal working hours.

The building contract should also include the time limit to complete the house and the handover date. You may consider inserting a clause that allows for a penalty to be inserted if the date is not met (or a financial incentive for the early completion of the project). Any such term would need to be accepted by the builder.

The drawings are the visual instructions or plans to the builder (and the local authority) about the measurements and features of the property being constructed.

The specifications are the agreed written instructions about the materials and building methods to be used to build the house.

If you have any queries or concerns about this part of the contract, you may consider employing an architect or draftsperson to give you some advice.

See more information about preparation of plans agreements on our building page.

It is recommended the building contract includes all your final requirements about the building and  features of your house. You should check that your building contract covers matters such as:

• the type and size of the hot water system, which satisfies your requirements;
• the type and location of light, gas and TV fittings;
• a provision for site works;
• the method for termite prevention treatment;
• the number and location of power points and taps;
• the extent of tiling;
• the crossover (where the driveway on your land meets the verge); and
• whether any surfaces are to be painted and the quality of paint to be used.

It is sometimes necessary to make changes after the building contract has been signed. In this situation, you can approach the builder to make changes to the contract, but be aware that generally it is costly to do so.

Consider the following when you request changes be made to the building contract (for contracts between $7 500 and $500 000, the builder can issue a statement of a price rise to the owner where a variation to the contract is required in circumstances that could not be reasonably foreseen by the builder or where a lawful direction is issued).

• Any requests for changes (known as a variation) to the contract must be made in writing to the builder as early as possible to minimise cost and time delays.
• If you discuss any changes with the builder over the telephone, confirm what was verbally agreed with the builder in writing and keep a copy of your letter for your records.
• Variations should not be made orally as they are difficult to prove if there are disputes (and disputes can and do arise).
• As with any contract, changes to any terms, including the cost, must be dated and signed by all the parties to the contract.
• All variations to contracts between $7 500 and $500 000 must be in writing, the terms set out and agreed to by all the parties and you must receive a copy of the signed variation before the work covered by the variation begins.

Jonas wanted a new home to be built on a block of land he bought and signed a contract to the value of $180,000 with a local registered builder, Dave. Jonas chose Dave because he had a good reputation for building quality homes in the area and Jonas could talk easily with him about the project. The local authority (council) approvals were given and work was due to commence on schedule.

Jonas had already chosen the bricks he wanted for the home. There had been a lot of building work going on in Western Australia and Dave thought it was a good idea to order the bricks without delay. Unfortunately, Dave was unable to buy bricks because there was a massive shortage. It was likely that Dave would have to wait two months before he could be assured of supply.

Dave found out that he would have to pay more for the bricks once they were available and would also face increased costs of bricklaying. Dave met with Jonas as soon as possible to explain the situation.

Jonas understood that the delays and price rises were not Dave's fault and he had to think carefully about what to do. Dave explained to Jonas that under WA law, Jonas could terminate the contract, as it was likely that the increase in the contract price would be more than 5% of the original contract.

Jonas and Dave agreed to terminate their existing contract. Jonas decided he would consider the state of the building industry in six months' time and hoped to enter into a new building contract with Dave at this time.

Bob and Judy were building their first home with a highly recommended project builder. The couple decided that the design of their house would be similar to the design of a display home they had recently inspected.

Before signing a contract with the builder, the couple did a lot of research on the features that they wanted to include in their home. Their research included trips to a number of hardware stores and display centres and discussions with friends and family who had recently built their own homes. Bob’s friends were so impressed with his newly acquired knowledge about the building project that they nicknamed him “Bob the Builder.”

Bob and Judy were familiar with the types and prices of floor, wall and decorative border tiles that they were interested in buying. The couple also did a thorough audit of the number and position of power points they required in their new house. Bob and Judy even discussed their future plans for children and knew exactly what sort of hot water system they needed. Friends rolled their eyes at dinner parties as the big topic of conversation became debating the pros and cons of a concrete or a brick paved driveway.

Once the building contract was presented to the couple, Bob and Judy were able to include all their requirements into the contract. During construction, the builder asked Bob and Judy to choose the spa for their ensuite bathroom. The couple took the plans to a spa specialist and soon realised that the spa they wanted would not fit into the space allowed on the plan.

Judy rang their builder’s representative, Anna, to discuss the problem. Anna carefully explained to Judy that varying the contract at this stage would involve significant costs. Anna explained their options and the worst-case scenario was changing the size of other rooms, some of which had already been built and changing the plumbing.

Judy discussed the situation with Bob. The couple decided that they would get the spa they wanted, but the shower recess in the ensuite bathroom would have to be removed. The couple also decided to place a shower rose above the spa to compensate for the shower being removed.

They immediately faxed their request to Anna, who provided them with the builder’s cost variation for the couple to sign. Bob and Judy were disappointed that they had overlooked this aspect of the design in their research phase and were also disappointed that the changes were costly, but the couple recognised that the changes were necessary.