Master Builders Contracts
Master Builders Contracts
Advice on and review of Master Builders (MBA) building contracts across Australia, before you sign, from a construction lawyer who is also a registered architect
Master Builders contracts, distributed through the Master Builders associations (the MBA) in each state and territory, are widely used across both residential and commercial building work.
As with any standard form, whether a Master Builders contract suits a project depends on the work, the parties, the pricing model, and the building legislation in the relevant state. Because the content varies between state associations, the right edition and the specific terms matter.
Christopher Larcos advises owners, builders and developers on Master Builders contracts and reviews them before signing. His dual qualification as a solicitor and registered architect means the advice addresses both the legal terms and how the build will actually run, whether the project is in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra or Darwin.
How Christopher helps with Master Builders contracts
Master Builders contract review
Reading the MBA contract you have been given, identifying risk, gaps and onerous terms, and setting out plainly what to accept, question or negotiate before you commit.
Residential and commercial forms
Advising on the right Master Builders form for the work, from residential building through to commercial projects, and the right edition for your state.
Payment and security of payment
Checking the deposit, progress payment terms and retention, and how they sit against your cash flow and the security of payment legislation in your state.
Variations, delays and disputes
Assessing the variation procedures, extension of time provisions and dispute pathways, so the terms that decide who pays are understood before they are tested on site.
Common questions
What is a Master Builders contract?
A Master Builders contract is a standard-form building contract distributed through the Master Builders associations (the MBA) in each state and territory. The suite spans residential through to commercial work and is widely used and recognised across the industry.
Should I have a Master Builders contract reviewed before signing?
A review before signing is one of the most cost-effective steps an owner or builder can take. Most building disputes trace back to terms that were visible in the contract, and a specialist review sets out what to accept, what to question and what to negotiate while there is still time to do it.
Are Master Builders and HIA contracts the same?
No. Both are widely used building contracts, but they are published by different bodies, the Master Builders associations and the Housing Industry Association, and differ in their detail and available forms. They also vary between states to reflect local legislation, so the right edition and the specific terms are worth checking for your project.
Can a Master Builders contract be amended?
Yes. Like any standard form, a Master Builders contract can be tailored with special conditions, whether to adjust the payment structure, add protections, or align it with the building legislation in your state. The amendments need to be drafted so they work with the base form rather than against it.
Which Master Builders contract should I use?
It depends on whether the work is residential or commercial, the value and complexity of the project, the pricing model, and the legislation in the relevant state. Because the content varies between state associations, using the right edition matters, and advice at the point of selection avoids signing the wrong form for the job.
Keep reading
Which building contract is right for you?
A balanced comparison of the Master Builders, HIA, ABIC and other main building contracts used in Australia.
ContinueHIA Building Contracts
Advice on and review of HIA building contracts, the other widely used residential building form.
ContinueBuilding Contract Review
Expert review of construction contracts before you sign, across all Australian jurisdictions.
ContinueCredentials
- Dual-qualified solicitor and registered architect
- Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects (FRAIA)
- 40+ years in the construction industry
- Adjudicator across five Australian jurisdictions