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What to Check Before Signing a Building or Trade Contract (Free Checklist)
Contract problems start before signing, not after
Most contract disputes don't come from bad contracts — they come from contracts nobody read closely, terms nobody clarified, and assumptions nobody wrote down. By the time a problem surfaces mid-build, the moment to fix it cheaply has already passed. The good news: the questions worth asking are knowable in advance, and asking them costs nothing.
A note before we start: this article and our checklist tool are general information to help you know what to look for and what to ask. They're not legal advice — for anything significant, have the contract reviewed by a legal professional before signing.
The basics to confirm in any contract
Who the parties are — full business names, licence or registration numbers, and insurance details, all matching what you've verified.
The scope, in writing — exactly what work is included, referencing the specific drawings and specifications the price was based on.
The price and what it includes — GST shown correctly, provisional sums and prime cost items itemised, and exclusions listed rather than implied.
The payment structure — stages tied to completed work, with a clear picture of what must be finished before each payment falls due.
The variations process — how changes are priced, approved and documented before the work is done.
Timing — start date, expected duration, and what happens if things run over.
Warranties and defects — what's covered, for how long, and how defects raised at handover will be handled.
A builder contract and a trade contract aren't the same conversation
Engaging a builder for a whole project raises different questions than engaging a single trade for one package — the scope is bigger, the payment schedule longer, and the coordination responsibilities need to be crystal clear. Our checklist tool has separate pathways for each, so you're working through questions that actually fit the agreement in front of you.
A free Contract Checklist that compiles your questions for you
Our free Contract Checklist tool walks you through the contract item by item. For each one you mark it confirmed, needs clarification, or not applicable — and the tool automatically compiles everything you flagged into a "questions to ask before signing" list you can take back to the builder, trade or your legal adviser.
How to use it
Choose your pathway — builder contract or trade contractor.
Work through each item with the contract in front of you, marking it confirmed, needs clarification, or N/A.
Review your compiled question list — every "needs clarification" becomes a question to resolve before signing.
Get answers in writing, and where anything significant is at stake, take the contract and your question list to a legal professional for review.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer to review my building contract?
For significant contracts, professional review is money well spent — a small fee against a large commitment. The checklist doesn't replace that review; it makes it more productive, because you arrive with specific questions instead of a general worry.
Is this legal advice?
No. The tool and this article are general information about what to look for. Contract law and consumer protections vary, and only a qualified professional can advise on your specific contract.
Is the Contract Checklist free?
Yes — free, no sign-up, no account, as part of our free owner builder tools suite.
Contracts are one piece of the puzzle
Our WA Owner Builder Course covers the full owner builder journey — approvals, insurance, engaging and managing trades, payments, safety and handover — with a complete Professional Toolkit included with enrolment.
This article is general information for owner builder education. It is not legal advice and does not replace review of your contract by a qualified legal professional. Always seek professional advice before signing where in doubt.
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