Before You Sign a Builder Contract: Documents to Gather for Your Lawyer
The short answer
Bring your lawyer the complete package: the full purchase contract (every page, every schedule), the specification and allowance sheet, the lot or site plan, any written price and incentive confirmations, and the builder's standard warranty documentation. A lawyer working from just the signature page or a partial excerpt can only review what they're given — a complete package is what lets them actually catch something.
Key takeaways
- Send the complete document set, not just the pages that require a signature.
- The specification and allowance sheet is as important to a review as the contract itself.
- Get any verbal promises or incentive confirmations in writing before the review, not after.
- Send documents with enough lead time for an actual review, not a same-day skim.
- A lawyer review confirms what a document says and means — it doesn't guarantee outcomes the document itself doesn't promise.
Why the "just the last page" habit causes problems
It's a common instinct to send a lawyer only the signature page, or a scanned summary, thinking that's the part that matters. In practice, the clauses that actually affect you — completion timing, price terms, what's included, what happens if something changes — live throughout the full document and its schedules, not on the signature page. A lawyer can only flag what they can see.
The core document checklist
- The complete purchase agreement, including every schedule and addendum, not a summary.
- The specification and allowance sheet — see our guide to reading a builder spec sheet for what to look for.
- The lot or site plan, showing exact placement, grading, and any easements.
- Written price and incentive confirmations from the sales office, if any were offered verbally.
- The builder's standard new-home warranty documentation, so your lawyer can see how it interacts with the purchase contract.
Getting verbal commitments into the file
If a sales representative told you something matters to your decision — an included upgrade, a price hold, a specific completion window — ask for it in writing before you send the package to your lawyer, not after you've already signed. Our piece on verbal promises vs. written agreements covers how to ask for this without it feeling awkward.
When to send documents relative to your review period
Send the package as soon as you have it, rather than waiting until close to a deadline. Many builder contracts include a defined review window, and a lawyer working under real time pressure has less room to flag something worth a second look. If a review period isn't already part of the contract, it's worth asking whether one can be added — see our piece on adding conditions to a builder purchase.
This is general information, not legal advice. Every contract and every buyer's situation is different. A real-estate lawyer licensed in Alberta is the right source for advice specific to your purchase.
What a lawyer review can and can't do
A review confirms what a document actually says, flags terms that are unusual or worth questioning, and explains what you're agreeing to in plain language. It can't rewrite the builder's contract on your behalf, guarantee a specific outcome the document doesn't promise, or substitute for your own read of the specification sheet against what you actually want. Think of it as the documentation half of the process — the other half is comparing the real, total cost of what you're buying.
Ready to look at actual homes?
Putting together your document package? Get in touch — we can help you make sure nothing's missing before it goes to your lawyer.
Ryan McCann
Ryan is an Edmonton-based new-construction specialist with MaxWell Polaris and the person behind MoveNew. He's helped over 2,200 clients in the Edmonton area buy and sell their home.
Contact Ryan today at 780-964-8445 to start your new home journey.
Last reviewed 11 August 2026. General information for Edmonton-area buyers — not legal advice. Contract terms, builder practices, and Alberta regulations can change or vary; confirm current details with a real-estate lawyer or the relevant builder before making a decision.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a lawyer review usually take?
It varies by lawyer and complexity, but a straightforward builder contract review is often a matter of days, not weeks — ask your lawyer directly for their expected turnaround when you send the package.
What does a real-estate lawyer review typically cost?
Costs vary by lawyer and scope of work. Ask for a quote up front; many real-estate lawyers offer a flat fee for a purchase review.
Can I use my own lawyer, or does the builder pick one?
You're generally free to use your own lawyer for a purchase review. Some builders may recommend a lawyer for closing, but that's a separate step from having your own independent review before you sign.
What if the builder won't provide the spec sheet before I sign?
Ask directly and get the answer in writing. A specification sheet is a core part of understanding what you're buying, and it's reasonable to expect it before committing — treat reluctance to provide one as a signal worth asking more questions about.
What if I have a home to sell?
That is common, and it is worth planning early. The timing question is how a builder's possession date lines up with the sale of your current home — completion dates can move, and carrying two homes or bridging the gap has a real cost. Start with a free home evaluation so you know what your current home is worth, then read our guide to selling before buying new construction.
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