Resolving building contract disputes - with less stress and less cost

We have noticed in our practice that many Building Contract disputes we provide advice on could have been resolved at an earlier stage – with less stress and less cost.

To use a common example: let's say a client (we can call him Bob) sells bricks and decides to enter into a contract with a builder. Bob decides against getting legal advice – the contract seems straightforward enough, what's the risk?

Things run smoothly for a couple of months until the builder stops paying Bob. Communication goes back and forth for a week or so until Bob calls the builder and terminates the contract. He's had enough!

Bob may think that he had a right to do this – he wasn't being paid for the products he was supplying. However Bob is later sued for breach of contract. The contract included a clause that required 14 days notification is provided before terminating.