Building · Construction
The legal work behind the build, by lawyers who have read the contract before.
Commercial, industrial, rural and domestic building disputes — we have handled them all since 1986. The same firm advises before the contract is signed and acts when something goes wrong.
What we handle
The whole arc of a build, from pre-contract to defects.
Steven M Clark Lawyers have years of experience handling commercial, industrial, rural and domestic building disputes. We act for builders, property developers, project managers, independent contractors, sub-contractors, building owners, property consultants, surveyors, architects and engineers — sometimes for one against the other, sometimes for everyone on the same side.
Our experienced building and construction lawyers assist with the legal requirements for the entire building and construction process. That includes pre-contractual drafting and review, payment claims and debt recovery, dispute resolution and court representation including litigation, body corporate advice, joint venture negotiation, professional liability and insurance claims, and risk management.
Most matters resolve before they become court matters. Where they do not, we have appeared on construction disputes in the Magistrates, District and Supreme Courts of South Australia.
If you are here because…
Three reasons most construction files start.
A contract has landed on your desk.
Before you sign it, send it to us. Building contracts have payment, variation and termination clauses that decide most of the disputes we see later. An hour of review now is the cheapest insurance available.
The work is not what was agreed.
Defective work, missing variations, dragging timelines. We help homeowners and developers get the work finished, the defects rectified, or the loss compensated — usually without going near court.
A payment claim has been served on you.
Security of payment claims have very tight statutory deadlines. If you do not respond in time, the claim is enforceable. Ring us today, not next week.
Common questions
What people most often ask on the first call.
Before signing the contract, ideally. The standard industry contracts are weighted heavily toward the builder. We mark up the contract, push back on the clauses that matter, and tell you what is normal versus what is not.
It depends on what the contract says and what variations have been properly approved. We assess your position, write the right letter, and either negotiate a workable resolution or escalate to formal action under the Building Work Contractors Act or, if necessary, the Magistrates Court Civil Division.
For most amounts, a properly served payment claim under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act is the fastest route — it has tight deadlines that favour the unpaid party. For larger claims, we move directly to court. We will tell you which path is appropriate.
Yes — for both homeowners and builders. We assess the defect, the contract, and the statutory warranties under the Building Work Contractors Act, and we work out the best route to rectification or compensation.
Yes. Body corporate (strata) disputes typically involve repairs, levies, by-law enforcement and access. We advise lot owners, committees, and managers.
We'll call you back the same business day.
Tell us briefly what's happening. Steven will call you back for a free 15-minute conversation, the same business day. No obligation, no pressure to engage us afterwards.
Thank you. We'll be in touch today.
Your message is with our team. If it's urgent, you're welcome to call us directly on (08) 8522 6025.