Building and Construction Lawyers in Victoria
Building and construction disputes can quickly become complex, expensive and time-consuming. They often involve building contracts, technical evidence, expert reports, payment disputes and questions about the quality or completion of building work.
G One Lawyers provides legal advice and representation in domestic building and construction disputes throughout Victoria.
We act for builders, building companies, homeowners, contractors, subcontractors and other building industry participants.
Legal advice informed by building industry experience
At G One Lawyers, your building matter benefits from legal knowledge combined with practical building industry experience. Our Principal, Mr Usman Ghani, has extensive experience in the building industry and is both a legal practitioner and a registered building practitioner in Victoria.
This combination brings an understanding of the construction process and the practical issues faced by builders and homeowners to the legal advice we provide. It helps us consider how contractual obligations relate to the work on site, including questions about progress payments, variations, delays, defective or incomplete work and rectification.
When you engage G One Lawyers for a building matter, you have access to advice from a principal who understands the industry as well as the law. We draw on that perspective when reviewing contracts, assessing the issues in dispute and explaining your options in clear, practical terms.
Where a matter requires an independent technical assessment or expert evidence, we can work with appropriately qualified experts as part of preparing your case.
How We Can Assist
We can assist with matters involving:
- Domestic building contracts;
- Defective or allegedly defective building work;
- Incomplete building work;
- Building delays;
- Extensions of time;
- Progress payment disputes;
- Final payment disputes;
- Building variations;
- Unpaid invoices;
- Rectification claims;
- Suspension or termination of building contracts;
- Claims for loss and damages;
- Disputes between builders and homeowners;
- Contractor and subcontractor disputes;
- Expert building reports;
- Building and Plumbing Commission dispute resolution; and
- VCAT building proceedings.
The Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) provides the dispute resolution service previously known as Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria (DBDRV). For eligible disputes, its process may lead to conciliation, orders or certificates relevant to progressing a dispute to VCAT. We can advise about the applicable preliminary steps and exceptions.
Acting for Builders
A building dispute can have significant consequences for a builder’s cash flow, business and reputation.
We assist builders with claims involving unpaid progress payments, final payments, variations, extensions of time, delays, alleged defects, owner-caused delays, termination and VCAT proceedings.
Acting for Homeowners
We also assist homeowners concerned about defective or incomplete work, delays, variations, contractual disputes, rectification costs and other issues arising during or after construction.
Building Dispute
Obtaining legal advice early can help you understand your contractual rights and avoid taking steps that may affect your position later.
Contact G One Lawyers to discuss your building matter.
Relevant legislation
Building disputes may involve overlapping contractual, statutory and regulatory obligations. Depending on the work, contract and issues in dispute, relevant laws include:
- Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 (Vic) & Domestic Building Contracts Amendment Act 2025 – domestic building contracts, statutory warranties, variations and dispute resolution.
- Building Act 1993 (Vic) – building regulation, permits, practitioner obligations and compliance.
- Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (Vic) – progress payments, payment claims, payment schedules and adjudication under the statutory security of payment framework, where applicable.
- Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998 (Vic) – VCAT proceedings and procedure.
- Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic) – relevant negligence, damages and proportionate liability provisions.
- Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) – including the Australian Consumer Law in Schedule 2, where consumer guarantees, misleading conduct or other consumer protections apply.
- Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Act 2012 (Vic) – the application of the Australian Consumer Law in Victoria and related provisions.
We assess the legislation and time limits that apply to your particular matter. Before withholding payment, suspending work or terminating a contract, obtain advice about the contract and the possible consequences.
Preparing for your consultation
Bring the signed contract, plans, specifications, variations, invoices and payment records. Relevant correspondence, photographs and any expert reports will help us understand the dispute. Tell us about any notices, existing proceedings or upcoming deadlines.