Construction Lawyers in New Zealand & Australia

Construction lawyers help homeowners, builders, subcontractors and developers with building contracts and the disputes that can follow, from defects and delays to unpaid progress payments.

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Common situations

Reviewing a building or renovation contract before you sign
Defective or unfinished building work
Unpaid payment claims and progress payments
Delays, variations and cost overruns
Disputes between builders, subcontractors and owners

Find a construction lawyer near you

New Zealand

Northland (Whangārei)Auckland Waikato (Hamilton)Bay of Plenty (Tauranga)Gisborne Hawke's Bay (Napier)Taranaki (New Plymouth)Manawatū-Whanganui (Palmerston North)Wellington Tasman (Richmond)Nelson Marlborough (Blenheim)West Coast (Greymouth)Canterbury (Christchurch)Otago (Dunedin)Southland (Invercargill)

Australia

New South Wales (Sydney)Victoria (Melbourne)Queensland (Brisbane)Western Australia (Perth)South Australia (Adelaide)Tasmania (Hobart)Australian Capital Territory (Canberra)Northern Territory (Darwin)

Free and low-cost help

New Zealand: In New Zealand, building.govt.nz has free guidance on building contracts and resolving problems with builders, and payment disputes under the Construction Contracts Act can go to adjudication. If cost is a concern, Community Law Centres offer free legal help throughout New Zealand, and you may be eligible for Legal Aid through the Ministry of Justice.

Australia: In Australia, each state and territory has a building regulator or fair trading agency with free information, and security of payment laws give contractors a fast way to pursue progress payments. If cost is a concern, community legal centres and your state or territory Legal Aid commission may be able to help.

General information only — not legal advice. Browse all practice areas or the full directory.