This On Demand was recorded on 17 March.
Residential construction continues to present significant legal and practical challenges amid ongoing economic pressures. Escalating costs, delays, labour shortages, and increasing insolvency among builders have heightened the risks for clients undertaking renovations or new builds.
This On Demand will provide a practical overview of the key legal issues arising in residential construction, with a focus on risk identification and mitigation. Topics will include the selection and suitability of contract forms in intensified urban environments, infrastructure-related obligations, and the allocation of responsibility for consents and connections. Particular attention will be given to what standard building contracts provide in relation to infrastructure – such as water supply, effluent disposal, and resource consent requirement – and how these provisions affect both developers and end purchasers.
The session will also address common traps in residential building contracts, the importance of builder due diligence, and the implications of recent case law. Participants will gain insights into the legal protections available to clients, including warranties, insurance considerations, and contractual remedies.
