Notice to Builder: Past the Completion Date
Your build is past the completion date in the contract? A formal notice that sets out the completion date, any extensions of time claimed and approved, liquidated damages at the rate in your contract (only if it has one), and asks for a revised construction program with a new completion date. You approve it before it is sent.
What this document does
- States the contract completion date and how it is worked out, from your contract.
- Sets out each extension of time claimed and whether you approved it.
- Applies liquidated damages at the rate in your contract, only if it has one, with the working shown.
- Asks for a revised construction program and a new completion date in writing.
- Names your state building regulator's process as the next step.
- Drafted in about 5 minutes. You approve it before it is sent.
What we'll ask you
Plain-English questions, one at a time. No legal knowledge needed — if you don't know an answer exactly, your best estimate is fine.
- Where is the build at?
- Who is the builder? The business name on your contract, plus their licence or registration number if you have it.
- Tell me what has happened, in order, from when work started. (Where the build is up to and what the builder has said come next.)
- About the contract: the property address, the date you signed it, the contract price and the type of contract.
- What is the completion date in the contract, or how is it worked out? Include the start date and the clause number if you know them.
- Has the builder asked for more time because of things outside their control, such as weather or changes you asked for? If so, for each: the date, the number of days, the reason, and whether you agreed in writing. Leave blank if none.optional
- Does your contract say the builder pays a set amount for each day or week the job is late?
- What are the rate and the clause, exactly as the contract states them?
- What is the delay costing you? For example rent, storage or loan costs, with amounts if you know them.optional
- Have you asked the builder about the delay already? When, how, and what did they say?optional
- Do you have the builder's email? Once you approve the notice we can send it straight to them.optional
- You approve it before it is sent
- 2 free amendments included
- All Australian states and territories
- Stripe secured · 256-bit encrypted
Your builder dispute: the regulator and tribunal in your state
Each state and territory has its own home building law and building regulator. We only ever name the regulator and the tribunal or court for your state.
New South Wales
Legislation: Home Building Act 1989 (NSW). Section 18B(1) implies into every contract to do residential building work warranties that the work will be done with due care and skill and in accordance with the plans and specifications set out in the contract (s 18B(1)(a)).
Building regulator: Building Commission NSW
Tribunal: NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), home building (after the Building Commission NSW step)
Victoria
Legislation: Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 (Vic). Section 8 makes part of every domestic building contract warranties that the work will be carried out in a proper and workmanlike manner and in accordance with the plans and specifications set out in the contract (s 8(a)).
Building regulator: Building and Plumbing Commission (dispute resolution service)
Tribunal: VCAT, with a certificate of conciliation (s 56, Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995)
Queensland
Legislation: Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991 (Qld), Schedule 1B. The warranties in Schedule 1B, Part 3, Division 2 are part of every regulated contract (Sch 1B s 19).
Building regulator: Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)
Tribunal: QCAT, domestic building dispute (after the QBCC process)
Western Australia
Legislation: Home Building Contracts Act 1991 (WA), which applies to contracts for home building work valued between $7,500 and $500,000, and the Building Services (Complaint Resolution and Administration) Act 2011 (WA).
Building regulator: Building Commissioner, Building and Energy (after a Notice of proposed complaint)
Tribunal: State Administrative Tribunal (SAT), on referral from the Building Commissioner or review of an order
Money claims: Magistrates Court of Western Australia, when the Commissioner or SAT is not dealing with it
South Australia
Legislation: Building Work Contractors Act 1995 (SA). Section 32(2) implies into every domestic building work contract warranties that the work will be performed in a proper manner to accepted trade standards and in accordance with the plans and specifications agreed by the parties (s 32(2)(a)).
Building regulator: Consumer and Business Services (CBS), building disputes
Money claims: Magistrates Court of South Australia
Tasmania
Legislation: Residential Building Work Contracts and Dispute Resolution Act 2016 (Tas). Regulator and dispute step: the Director of Building Control, part of Building Standards Tasmania (within the Department of Justice).
Building regulator: Director of Building Control (Building Standards Tasmania), notice of dispute and mediation
Tribunal: TASCAT, Civil and Consumer stream (after the notice of dispute; contracts of $20,000 or more)
Money claims: Magistrates Court of Tasmania (Civil Division)
Australian Capital Territory
Legislation: Building Act 2004 (ACT).
Building regulator: Access Canberra
Tribunal: ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT)
Northern Territory
Legislation: Building Act 1993 (NT). Section 54B(1) sets consumer guarantees for prescribed residential building work (for example a new home, a unit in a complex of up to three storeys, or a renovation or extension that increases floor area above the threshold).
Building disputes: NT Consumer Affairs; Commissioner of Residential Building Disputes (fidelity fund work)
Tribunal or court: NTCAT up to $25,000; Local Court up to $250,000
From your answers to a finished Builder Delay Notice in three steps
Answer 11 quick questions
Who it’s about, what happened and what you want. Plain English, one question at a time.
We draft it for your state
Your Notice to Builder: Past the Completion Date is drafted to the legislation, regulator and tribunal for your state or territory, then formatted as a professional PDF. Usually ready within about five minutes.
Review, approve, sent
The draft lands in your dashboard for you to check. Nothing goes to the other party until you approve it — then we email it on your behalf and record the delivery. Two free amendments included.
Ready? Start now.
No card required until the end. No account needed to start.
Start My Builder Delay Notice — $49 →$49 flat fee · You approve it before it is sent · edit it yourself any time, plus 2 redrafts
Everything about the Notice to Builder: Past the Completion Date
How much does the Builder Delay Notice cost?
A flat $49 AUD, including GST. There is no card required to start, no subscription and no hourly rate — you see the full summary of your answers before you pay.
How long does it take?
There are 11 questions, which take a few minutes to answer. You see a full summary of your answers before you pay; your document is drafted once your payment is confirmed.
Is it sent automatically, or do I see it first?
You see it first. The draft lands in your dashboard for review; nothing goes to the other party until you approve it. Once you approve, we email it on your behalf and record the delivery.
What if I need changes?
You read the full Builder Delay Notice on your dashboard before anything is sent. You can change the wording yourself or ask for a redraft, with unlimited edits and 2 redrafts included.
Does it work in my state?
Yes. The Notice to Builder: Past the Completion Date is drafted to the law of the state or territory the matter is in — NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA, SA, Tasmania, the ACT and the NT — citing the right Act, regulator and tribunal or court for that state.
What if my contract has no liquidated damages?
Then the notice does not mention them. It records the delay and the costs it is causing you, and reserves your rights.
Does the notice end the contract?
No. It records the delay and asks for a revised program. It does not terminate the contract or threaten to.
Read up before you send
Other building & property documents
Put it in writing today.
A few quick questions and your Notice to Builder: Past the Completion Date is drafted for your state. No card required until the end.
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