Publications

A miniature wooden house model sitting on blueprints on a desk, protected by a glowing, translucent blue energy dome. The dome shields the house from a heavy rainstorm and debris falling in the dark background, symbolizing protection, insurance, or safety in construction

Your Guide to Statutory Warranties in Queensland's Domestic Building Industry

A comprehensive 2026 guide for homeowners and builders on Queensland's statutory warranties for domestic building work. Learn about the 6.5-year structural and 12-month non-structural warranty periods, the QBCC's enforcement role, and how to make a claim for defective work.

John Merlo

Jan 3014 min read

Secure metal safe with glass window displaying gold bars inside, wrapped with heavy chains and padlock, mounted on concrete wall in rainy urban night scene with neon-lit city buildings in background

The Ultimate Guide to Security of Payment in Queensland's Construction Industry

A comprehensive 2026 guide for Queensland contractors on navigating the Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017. Learn about making valid payment claims, the adjudication process, and how the QBCC enforces payment to protect your cash flow.

John Merlo

Jan 2717 min read

A weathered, cracked vintage stopwatch rests on a pile of bricks and wet mortar at a construction site, with a silhouetted crane visible under a dark, cloudy twilight sky in the background.

The Prevention Principle in QLD Construction

Discover the Prevention Principle in Queensland construction law. Our 2026 guide explains how a principal-caused delay can void liquidated damages, the importance of EOT clauses, and what happens when time becomes "at large." Learn how to protect your rights in a construction dispute.

John Merlo

Jan 2514 min read

A close-up shot of a handshake between a person wearing a rugged, soiled construction glove and a person in a formal business suit, set against the backdrop of a steel building frame and a crane at sunset.

Good Faith in QLD Construction Contracts: The Unwritten Rule You Can't Ignore

Discover the unwritten rule of good faith in Queensland construction contracts. Learn how the implied duty of honesty, cooperation, and reasonableness impacts builders and homeowners, and how a lack of it leads to disputes with the QBCC and QCAT.

John Merlo

Jan 2313 min read

A rolled-up, aged blueprint paper tightly wrapped in heavy, rusty metal chains resting on top of a rough concrete block. The scene is set in a dimly lit, dusty industrial space with shafts of light filtering through a window in the background, illuminating floating dust motes.

Freedom of Contract in QLD Construction: The Unwritten Terms Set by Law

In Queensland's building industry, the contract you sign is only part of the story. A complex web of legislation, including the QBCC Act and BIF Act, inserts non-negotiable terms into every agreement, overriding any conflicting clauses. Learn about the statutory limitations on freedom of contract and why legal advice is essential to understand your true rights and obligations.

John Merlo

Jan 2015 min read

Cinematic close-up of a heavy industrial steel joint securely bolted to a concrete foundation during a rainstorm. Water beads off the metal surface, highlighting its durability and weather resistance, symbolizing the 'fit for purpose' construction warranty.

Fit for Purpose in QLD Construction: Your Essential 2026 Guide to Implied Warranties

Discover the power of the 'fit for purpose' implied warranty in Queensland construction. This essential 2026 guide explains your legal rights under the QBCC Act and Australian Consumer Law, how to identify a breach, and the steps to take through the QBCC and QCAT to resolve disputes over defective building work.

John Merlo

Jan 1918 min read

2 35 6