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Construction / Subcontractor Agreements

Construction subcontract review.
Back-to-back risk, simplified.

Construction subcontracts inherit risk from head contracts most subcontractors have never read. Kontractually checks back-to-back flow-down, Security of Payment compliance, LD exposure, and variation approval processes against your subcontract playbook.

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Subcontract checklist

6 provisions to review in every construction subcontract.

1
Back-to-back flow-down scope
Does the subcontract flow down head contract risk proportionately? Unlimited back-to-back LDs on a small subcontract scope is a common and significant issue.
2
LD rate and cap
The LD rate should reflect the subcontractor's actual contribution to delay risk. Is there a cap on LD liability? The head contract LD rate often flows down without a subcontractor-specific cap.
3
Security of Payment compliance
Payment claim dates, payment schedule response periods, and adjudication rights. SOPA applies to all construction subcontracts in Australia. Timeframe compliance is mandatory.
4
Scope of works definition
Is the subcontractor's scope clearly defined and distinguished from other packages? Ambiguous scope boundaries cause variation disputes from day one.
5
Variation written approval
Verbal variation instructions happen on construction sites constantly. The contract's variation mechanism must address how verbal instructions are ratified - or everything at risk is at the subcontractor's cost.
6
DLP and retention terms
Defects liability period duration, retention amount (typically 5-10%), and process for releasing retention at end of DLP. Indefinite retention holds are common and problematic.
FAQ

Subcontract questions.

More questions? Email us.

Back-to-back flow-down means the subcontract attempts to impose the same risk and obligations on the subcontractor as the head contractor faces in the head contract. In practice, this often means a subcontractor accepts LD exposure, latent condition risk, and retention terms from a head contract they have never seen, in proportion to their scope. The critical issue is whether the flow-down is truly proportionate - applying the same protection and the same risk - or whether it only flows down obligations without flowing down the corresponding rights.

Yes. Security of Payment Acts in every Australian state and territory apply to all construction subcontracts. The Acts impose strict timeframes: payment claims must be made by a specified reference date (usually monthly), the head contractor must respond with a payment schedule within 10-15 business days (depending on state), and adjudication applications must be lodged within strict windows. Missing any of these deadlines forfeits your rights. Kontractually checks subcontracts for SOPA-compliant payment term structure.

Review every construction subcontract before you sign.

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