The BILD Lab Podcast

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

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, w...

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 b...

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 w...

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 hom...

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 typ...

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 und...

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 design...

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 m...

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...

In this episode of the BILD Lab podcast, we take a detailed look at the handover process under a new home building contract, with specific reference to the HIA contract. We explain how the process is triggered when the builder issues a notice of completion, what a final claim actually is, and why it is not the same as a final invoice or an immediate demand for payment. This episode also unpacks ho...

In this episode of the BILD Lab podcast, we break down the five key elements every homeowner should understand in a building contract. We cover timeframes and completion dates, contract formalities under the Domestic Building Contracts Act, costs and price changes, how the works are defined, and what completion really means in practice. This episode is designed to help Victorian homeowners better...

In this episode of the BILD Lab podcast, we take a detailed look at roof tiling and how homeowners can identify common defects during the construction of their home. Roof issues are often overlooked because they can be difficult to access, but problems with roof tiles, capping, pointing, flashings and penetrations are some of the most common causes of water leaks and long-term damage in residentia...

The concrete slab forms the structural base of a home, but most homeowners never see what goes into it before it’s poured. In this episode, we explain slab on ground construction and why preparation is so critical to the long-term performance of a house. The discussion covers plumbing and pipework placement, steel reinforcement, vapour barriers, and common defects that are often missed. We also ex...

Painting is one of the most common causes of disagreement at handover. In this episode, we explain how paint defects are assessed in Victorian homes, what a “normal viewing position” means, why builders often disagree with homeowners about paint issues, and how standards and tolerances are applied in practice. BILD Lab helps Victorian homeowners understand the build process and avoid unnecessary d...

When should a roof be checked during a Victorian home build, and what roof issues are actually a problem? In this episode, We explain when roofs are installed, why some areas aren’t finished straight away, how inspections usually happen, and why the roof must be watertight before plasterboard goes in. This is not legal or building advice.

The fixing stage is a key milestone in a Victorian home build and is often misunderstood. In this episode, we explain what the fixing stage means under a building contract, how it is defined in the Domestic Building Contract, and the stuff you need to know from both a legal and practical inspection perspective. We also walk through what should typically be installed at fixing stage, why some items...

Domestic Building Insurance (“DBI”) is a mandatory insurance requirement for certain residential building projects in Victoria. This episode explains what DBI is and when it is required what it actually covers in the situation which it could be relied upon. We walk through our DBI operates and why it is described as an Insurance of last resort. This content is educational and intended to help Vict...

Many problems in residential building start before the contract is signed. In this episode, we walk through builder due diligence from a Victorian homeowner’s perspective. We discuss the checks that actually matter once a building contract is in place. Registration, insurance, company structure, and who you’re really contracting with. This episode explains why due diligence is about understanding...

Many Victorian homeowners are told their home has reached practical completion and that the final payment is now due even though defects still exist. This episode explains what practical completion actually means under Victorian building contracts, what triggers the final payment, and how defects are meant to be handled at this stage. We discuss why simply refusing to pay the final payment can car...

What does practical completion really mean in Victorian building contracts? In this episode we breakdown how practical completion works and how it affects your final payment, defects, and legal rights. This is not legal advice.

In the first episode of the podcast, we break down liquidated damages in building contracts. What they are, how they work, and why owners, builders, and developers need to know about them. Liquidated damages are often misunderstood. In this episode, we cover: • What liquidated damages actually are (and what they’re not) • Why they appear in building contracts • How they’re typically calculated • C...