Episode 117: Cracking the code: 5 Confusing building contract terms explained
29th September 2025 | 28m 50s
Building contracts can be full of hidden traps and confusing jargon. In this episode, we break down the five clauses that trip up most homeowners - covering prime costs, provisional sums, payment schedules, special conditions, build time frames and utility connections.
Watch or listen to episode 117 on:
Liking the show?
Please leave us a 5 star rating on your podcast platform and share the show with others - thank you.
Got a question, topic idea or feedback?
Drop us a line here
Timestamps:
02:28 Prime Costs (PCs): allowances for items not yet selected (e.g., taps, tiles)
03:41 Provisional Sums (PSs): estimated costs for work not yet defined (e.g., excavation)
07:32 Payment Schedules: deposit, base, frame, lockup, fix, final payment
07:42 Contract Details: what the contract must include
08:25 Different Contracts: progress payment methods (Schedule 1 vs Method 2)
09:21 Monthly Payments Misunderstanding: why it’s milestone-based, not monthly
09:37 Tips When You Get the Invoice
13:43 Special Conditions: extra terms to watch out for
17:09 Build Time Frames: contract vs real-world expectations
22:55 Utility Connection Costs: water, electricity, gas, NBN
23:05 Common Misconception About Utility Fees