Enter your email and password to access secured content, members only resources and discount prices.
Did you become a member online? If not, you will need to activate your account to login.
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
Enables quick and easy registration for future events or learning and grants access to expert advice and valuable resources.
Enter your details below and create a login
There will be three stages during a residential building project when you might need to consider how to respond to delays:
Each stage will present different challenges and, if you do not factor in or respond to delays, you may be liable to compensate the homeowner.
Ensure you have adequate time under your building period for the completion of the building project. This may mean that you need to:
While the current level of interest and activity is appealing, and you don’t want to ‘miss out’ on work, making sure you can deliver on what you commit to should be a priority.
When assessing your current workload and future commitments you should consider:
Once you have signed the contract you have entered into a legally binding agreement.
Any changes must be made strictly in accordance with the contract.
Under the HIA contract you must commence building work:
If an homeowner does not fulfil their obligations by the anticipated start date, clause 2.2 provides that a builder may end the contract or extend the time for the homeowner to fulfil their requirements.
You may increase the contract price if commencement has been delayed:
The price increase may be the reasonable costs incurred because of the delay, or 0.125 percent of the contract price.
Delays during construction can be frustrating and cause tension and can also lead to disputes.
To avoid issues and disputes, it is critical that you are aware of your rights and obligations regarding extensions of time.
An extension of time may be available if the delay is:
There is a non-exhaustive list of what may constitute an extension of time under HIA contracts.
To claim an extension of time you must:
Once you receive the approved extension of time, a signed copy must be given to the client within 5 working days.
If you do not claim the extension of time in accordance with the contract you may be unable to rely on it.
Generally you cannot claim an extension of time for delays you cause or a delay that was reasonably foreseeable at the time the contract was signed.
Under a HIA contract, a homeowner may dispute an extension of time claim by providing written notice to the builder within 5 working days of receiving the extension of time notice. The homeowner’s written notice must:
HIA contracts require the homeowner to not unreasonably refuse to approve an extension of time.
But if the homeowner continues to refuse you have a few options:
Find more information about the ABCD process.
You can also contact the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) or on 139 333 for further information.
The following information may assist when discussing these issues with a homeowner:
HIA has extension of time documents available through HIA contracts online.
Can’t find what you need, check out other resources that might be closer to the mark.