Glossary
BCA – Building Code of Australia
EPS – Expanded Polystyrene
R Ratings – The insulation rating of walls and ceiling as determined in the BCA. The BCA has minimum requirements that builders must meet, as technologies improve the BCA increases the rating.
Plug & Play – we fit the site and deliver you the plumbing and electrical certification or the certifier’s signoff for the work completed in the yard. You have services ready to go and will use your own contacts to make the final connections.
The Works – our term that helps us determine at what point we hand over the contract to you. In this instance you are asking us to use our plumbers and electricians to arrange and sign off for the onsite connections. Fencing, Landscape and Carports can also be installed upon request.
Latent Liabilities – Liabilities that the builder is entitled to charge the client if there are unforseen difficulties in access to the site.
PC Items / Prime Cost Items – Items specified in the contract, typically for fixtures and fittings that are an allocated sum to be spent toward an item approved by the client. If building cost is less than the PC amount the contract sum is reduced, if more than the PC item is used the contract sum increases accordingly.
DA – Development Approval, the first step in the approval process. Certifiers in the NT can assess conforming developments; however planning approval from Local Government Authorities may be required. Our contract time starts after Building Licence / Permit has been granted.
Structural Engineering & Certification – After the approved building direction is confirmed Construction Drawings are Engineered and then in NT passed to a Certifier. In WA Builders self certify Residential work; however it is possible this will change in the near future.
Home Owners Warranty – A mandatory insurance in Urban areas, this insurance is placed to fund tribunal and legal fees to pursue remedies from your Builder, where workmanship fails to meet BCAs minimum standard. Not all areas or localities are within the Building Boards jurisdiction, it is worth checking with: