New law on contracts for work and services from 01.01.2026 - what you should know now
On January 1, 2026, important amendments to the law on contracts for work and services and sales contracts came into force in Switzerland.
The revision strengthens the rights of builders and buyers in particular - among other things through significantly longer notice periods for defects, mandatory limitation periods and a legally guaranteed right to rectification free of charge.
What do these changes mean in concrete terms for builders, contractors, planners and property buyers? What time limits will apply in future for defects in buildings? And what should contracting parties pay particular attention to in new construction and purchase contracts?
The following overview shows the most important changes and explains what impact the revision can have in practice.
