What to know before you sign a building contract | Interview with lawyer, Despina Priala - Episode 9 (Season 7 - The Stages of Home Construction )

In this episode, Despina Priala of Priala Legal, provides fantastic tips and insight into building and renovating contracts. I think you’ll find it super helpful. 

PLEASE NOTE: The information contained in the interview does not constitute legal advice and anyone reading or listening is strongly recommended to seek independent legal advice concerning their contract/transaction. 

SHOW NOTES FOR THIS EPISODE: 

Despina Priala has practiced in property and commercial law on the Gold Coast for over 25 years, and has substantial experience in this area with career highlights including her appointment as in-house counsel for Sunland Group (a prestigious Australian property development business).  

Despina established Priala Legal in 2007 to provide specialised boutique legal services to developers and other property players within the South East Queensland market. 

Despina has some fantastic tips to share with you, and help you avoid some of the mistakes that homeowners make when it comes to the building or renovation contract.   

These mistakes can create huge headaches, budget blowouts, and even more significant issues such as unfinished projects.  

Despina talks about the things to know before you sign a contract, some specific terminology to be aware of, and what to look for in your contract - and how you need to work with your builder according to your contract - to get the best results for your project and manage your risk overall. 

Despina is QLD based and talks in this episode a lot about Qld legislation.  

However, if you don’t live in Qld, DON’T TUNE OUT. Listen to the terminology, the mechanisms, and then use it to ask your builder, your lawyer. Apply the same strategies.  

This will be around things like: 

+ your deposit 

+ what paperwork the builder must give you as part of signing the contract 

+ if you have a cooling off period, how long it is, and what waives it 

This interview was recorded over Skype so the sound may not be what you’re used to from the UA podcast.  

However, it’s so worth a careful listen, as Despina gives some great insight into what you need to consider for your project’s contract. This is super useful information for anyone planning to build or renovate. 

Listen to the episode now to learn more … 

PODCAST PARTNER: QUOTESPEC 

This season’s podcast partner is QuoteSpec. QuoteSpec is a cloud-based app that enables builders and tradespeople to create great-looking, professional, easy to read, and comprehensive quotes for reno and building projects, in a simple and super fast way.  

Ask your builder or tradesperson "do you use QuoteSpec?" and if they don't, send them here to find out more about it ... www.quotespec.com.au/undercoverarchitect  

Want to make your construction process simpler – and you more sane and confident? 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ONLINE PROGRAM: MANAGE YOUR BUILD 

Manage Your Build is my online program that will give you key knowledge, tools, cheatsheets and industry insider checklists and tips, plus strategies to save your sanity and budget as well.  

This online program can support you, help you avoid expensive mistakes and drama, and put you in the driver's seat, feeling confident during the construction of your new home or renovation. 

Head to https://undercoverarchitect.com/manageyourbuild/ to see more about what's inside the program, and how it can save you stress and money as you navigate the construction of your reno or new home. 

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