In this episode of the BILD Lab podcast, we discuss 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 how the final claim is calculated, including the remaining contract balance, approved variations, and any deductions that apply due to delays or liquidated damages. We discuss when a builder is entitled to request the final payment, why an Occupancy Permit or Certificate of Final Inspection is required, and what “completion” really means under a domestic building contract.

If you’re building a new home in Victoria, this episode will help you understand your rights and obligations at handover, how defects and incomplete works are dealt with, and why the final inspection stage is one of the most important moments in the entire build process.

This is not legal or building advice.

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 understand their contracts before signing and avoid common issues that lead to disputes, delays and unexpected costs during a build.

This is not legal or building advice.

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 residential buildings.

We explain practical and safe ways homeowners can visually inspect a tiled roof without climbing onto the roof, including what can be checked from the ground, when drone inspections may help, and why inspections inside the roof cavity can be critical before plasterboard is installed. This episode also covers where damage is most likely to occur after roof installation, particularly around solar panels, plumbing penetrations, antennas and other areas where trades walk on the roof.

If you’re building a new home in Victoria or dealing with roofing concerns during construction, this episode will help you understand what is normal, what may indicate a defect, and when to raise issues with your builder. Early identification of roof tiling problems can prevent water ingress, hidden structural damage and expensive repairs later on.

This is not legal or building advice.

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 explain why slab inspections must happen before the concrete pour, why timing can be challenging, and how defects identified early are far easier to fix than those discovered later.

BILD Lab provides practical building education for Victorian homeowners. This is not legal or building advice.

Painting is one of the most common and emotionally charged sources of disagreement at the end of a home build. Because paintwork is highly visible, even small imperfections can feel significant to homeowners at handover. In this episode, we explain how painting defects are assessed in Victorian homes, including what a “normal viewing position” means and why glancing or critical light can exaggerate surface variations. 

The discussion also covers how builders rely on standards and tolerances when deciding what will be fixed and what won’t, and why not every visible mark is considered a defect. This episode is designed to help homeowners approach paint inspections with clearer expectations and fewer surprises.

BILD Lab provides practical building education for Victorian homeowners. This is not legal or building advice.

Many Victorian homeowners become concerned when they see loose tiles, incomplete flashing, or unfinished roof areas during frame or lock-up. In this episode, Josh breaks down what’s normal construction sequencing, what may indicate a real problem, and why some roof elements are deliberately left until later to avoid damage by following trades. The discussion also covers inspection timing, access limitations, and the critical importance of water tightness before internal linings go in.

Educational content by BILD Lab for Victorian homeowners.

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 are often excluded by special contract conditions, and what homeowners should be checking before the home moves into painting and final fit-off stage. Understanding this stage helps ensure issues are identified early, when they are easier to address.

This content is educational and intended to help Victorian homeowners better understand the building process. It is not legal or building advice.

Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) is a mandatory requirement for certain residential building projects in Victoria, but it only responds in limited circumstances. In this episode, we explain how DBI works, what triggers a policy, what it can cover, and the limits that apply to claims.

The episode also covers why DBI is described as insurance of last resort, how coverage caps operate, the timeframes homeowners need to be aware of, and the role of the Building and Plumbing Commisison and Victorian Managed Insurance Authority in administering policies. This content is educational and designed to help homeowners understand how DBI fits into the broader building and construction framework.

This episode is general information only and is not legal or insurance advice.

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 who controls risk after signing, and why problems that seem “unexpected” later are often predictable early on.

If you’re building or renovating in Victoria, this episode will help you ask better questions before committing to a contract you’ll be living with for years.

This content is educational only and focused on risk awareness, not legal advice.

Final Payment in Victorian Building Contracts

Many homeowners are asked to pay the final amount even though defects still exist, without realising how much leverage they’re giving up in the process.

In this episode, we explain what triggers final payment, when owners are required to pay, how defects are meant to be handled, and what changes once the money is released. We also explore the risks of paying too early, and the consequences of refusing payment without proper grounds.

This episode is educational and designed to help Victorian homeowners better understand the end-of-build process so they can make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary disputes.