SoundLegal Client Case Study

How we helped a client negotiate the contract to reduce legal costs and contract administration burdens

Client:

Finishing trade subcontractor

Project:

Refit of office space in Perth CBD commercial building

Client concerns:

• 200 page heavily amended standard form contract, even though scope was straightforward and anticipated fee was <$70k
• Principal’s designer had specified a highly customised product, that had to be manufactured overseas, had a long lead time and had to be paid for up-front

SoundLegal solution:

Negotiation strategies and coaching for subcontractor to approach lead contractor and request a contract more suited to scope, with proportionate allocation of risk, and a contribution to the upfront payment for materials

Outcome:

• 15 page minor works contract, that everyone could understand
• Significantly reduced legal costs and contract administration obligations for both parties
• 30% up front payment, so that subcontractor was not carrying the cost of the materials for 3+ months
• one very happy subcontractor!