Building & Construction Lawyers Perth WA

When the job moves faster than the contract.

Most construction issues don’t start with a dispute. They start on site. A direction changes the scope. The sequence shifts. Time compresses. The work continues because it has to.

By the time anyone returns to the contract, the window to protect that change may already be gone. Notices that needed to be issued within days. Claims that required a specific format. Steps that had to be taken while the project was still moving.

That’s where value is often lost. Not in the work itself, but in what wasn’t documented at the right time.

Common examples include: unrecorded variations on construction projects, verbal site directions that change scope, missed contract notice deadlines, failure to issue variation claims on time, incomplete documentation for delay events, and disputes arising from undocumented changes to building works.

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Getting the contract right before the work begins.

We work with builders, contractors and developers to review, negotiate and draft construction contracts so they reflect how projects actually run. That includes risk allocation, payment terms, variations, extensions of time and the notice requirements that sit behind them.

The focus is on making sure the contract is workable from day one, not just technically sound, but practical when the job is underway and decisions need to be made quickly.

Common examples include:construction contract drafting and review, negotiating AS contracts and subcontract agreements, risk allocation in building contracts, payment terms and security of payment compliance, extension of time clauses, variation provisions and contract amendments before project commencement.

Example: A subcontractor signs an amended contract without fully considering the variation and delay provisions. When the project shifts, the contract limits their ability to claim additional time or cost, leaving them exposed to losses that could have been addressed at the outset.

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Staying aligned while the project is underway.

A well-drafted contract is only part of the picture. What matters just as much is how it is applied once work begins. Variations, delays and competing pressures can quickly pull the paper trail away from what is happening on site.

We support clients during the project to keep contract administration on track. That includes advising on notices, claims and correspondence so your position is protected as the job progresses. When issues arise, we provide clear, measured advice that keeps the focus on commercial outcomes, not just legal arguments.

Common examples include: issuing contractual notices during construction, preparing variation claims and payment claims, managing delay and extension of time claims, contract administration support during live projects, responding to defects or non-compliance issues, and early-stage construction dispute management.

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Our Building & Construction services.

FAQ.

Common questions we hear.

We advise on contract drafting and review, variations, payment claims, extensions of time, delay claims and disputes. We also assist with the notice requirements that sit behind these rights.
Many rights under construction contracts are time sensitive. If a notice or claim is not made correctly and on time, the entitlement can be lost before any dispute arises. Early involvement helps protect your position while the project is still active.
A contract administrator manages the process. We focus on interpreting the contract and identifying risk. This is particularly important where requirements are complex or tightly timed, ensuring the process being followed actually protects your position.
Time-barring clauses limit your right to claim if deadlines are missed. These deadlines can be short and strictly enforced. If the required notice is not issued correctly and on time, the claim may be rejected regardless of what occurred on site.
Yes, we can assist by stepping in mid-project. We can review how the contract is being administered, identify gaps and help implement a process for the remainder of the job to reduce further risk.
No. Much of our work happens before disputes escalate. This includes reviewing contracts, advising on variations and delay claims, and assisting with correspondence to keep issues contained.

Meet our Building & Construction team.

HHG Legal Group is one of WA’s longest-serving law firms, trusted by Western Australians for more than 100 years. When you partner with us, you’ll work with an experienced lawyer who can provide clear, informed and high-quality legal advice.

What our clients are saying about us.

Thank you very much for seeing me through to the closure of this engagement. First of all, for the ways in which all the necessary paperwork was brought together and actioned with the haste that it was. A huge thanks for everything you’ve done.
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Wills, estate and succession planning
I can’t recommend HHG enough. From start to finish, HHG gave me clear, confident advice, backed me the whole way, and genuinely cared about getting me the best outcome. HHG Legal Group are the people you want in your corner.
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Employment Law
I have known the team at HHG since 2007, when Simon and HHG Legal sponsored a charity event for Make-A-Wish. I have dealt with them on estate matters and engaged them as Executors of my father’s estate, and have at all times been very pleased with their professional work.
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Wills, estate and succession planning

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Local expertise. Multiple locations.

Our team of experienced lawyers operates from five locations across Perth and regional Western Australia. We’re local people who understand the area, backed by the expertise of one of WA’s most established firms. We take the time to listen, explain your options clearly, and guide you openly, providing reliable representation and quality advice at every step. Because every client deserves our full attention.

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