What questions should I ask a builder before signing a contract?
Short answer
Ask about the LBP holding the licence, the company's recent jobs, who'll be on site daily, the variation process, the payment schedule, the warranty (Master Build, Halo, Stamford, Builtin), the defects period, the dispute path, and one job that went wrong. Get every answer in writing — texts, emails, or marked up on the contract. Verbal promises don't survive a court hearing.
Key facts
- Always get answers in writing — text or email is enough
- Ask about variations BEFORE signing, not after
- Confirm who carries the warranty (the company, not the individual)
- Check the defects period and what triggers the clock
- Ask for two references from completed builds, not jobs in progress
The 15 questions checklist
1. Who's the LBP on this job, and what classes do they hold?
2. What's the company structure and who are the directors?
3. Show me your last three completed jobs — addresses, dates, owner contact details.
4. Tell me about a job that went wrong. What happened, how was it fixed?
5. What's the deposit, and what triggers it?
6. What's the payment schedule for the rest?
7. What's your variation process — who signs off, how is cost agreed?
8. What warranty applies — Master Build, Halo, Stamford, Builtin? Who issues it?
9. What's the defects period and when does the clock start?
10. What happens if your subcontractor causes damage?
11. Who pays for materials price increases between now and completion?
12. What's the start date, and what's the realistic completion date?
13. What happens if you're delayed by weather, supply, or council?
14. What's the dispute resolution path if we disagree?
15. Will you sign a written contract under section 362K of the Building Act?
Why each question matters
Questions 1-4 tell you who you're really hiring. Questions 5-7 set the financial structure clearly. Questions 8-9 set the warranty path. Questions 10-12 cover the things that derail builds. Questions 13-15 are about resilience and law compliance.
If the builder pushes back on any of these — especially 15, which is a legal requirement — that's a signal.
Knowing the rules is half the job. The other half is knowing who you're hiring — check any NZ builder's court action, insolvency history, director track record and AI risk score in minutes.
Planning the project? See the costs
Related questions
Sources: Building Act 2004, section 362K; Consumer Protection NZ; MBIE Building Performance — choosing a builder. General information for NZ homeowners, not legal advice — building rules change and vary by council, so confirm critical details on the official source before acting. Last updated 2026-05.