Construction
Practical Completion Inspection
The Practical Completion Inspection (PCI) is probably the most important inspection, your chance to identify any faults and get them fixed before handover. It’s a lot simpler to get them fixed before you move in! If you have employed an…
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Keith, Hero of ‘The Block’
If you are having a new house built Keith should be your hero too! Over the years, foreman Keith Schleiger “The Blockinator” seems to be cast as the bad guy. The guy who causes delays, disruptions, and upsets the contestants….
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Cement
Some people confuse concrete with cement, but cement is just the ‘glue’ which holds the other constituents of concrete, sand and gravel, together. There are a range of different cements but these are the three you will most commonly come…
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How Much Should Stage (Progress) Payments Be
When you contract someone to build a new house you are required to make regular payment as each STAGE is completed. . . . But how much? Well builders want to get paid as soon as possible so they will…
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Soil Heave – Protecting the Slab After Construction
Once the house is completed it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be concerned about the foundations. This is particularly the case if your house is Built on Clay as there is a risk of ‘Slab Heave’. This is the result of moisture…
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Construction Stages – Background
For readers unfamiliar with the building process I thought I would provide some information on the various construction activities that will be carried out in the full schedule. This schedule has been generally be based on the typical single storey…
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Construction Stage 5 – Completion
After Fixing comes Completion Its probably been a long haul but we are getting to the last lap now. Nevertheless there is still a fair bit to do including: Complete Plumbing Internally install taps, mixers, shower fittings, shower screens, and…
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Construction Stage 4 – Fixing
Fixing follows on from Lock Up. The fixing stage is moving from a very rough looking interior to something resembling the house you are expecting. During this stage the following works will be taking place: Install Insulation This includes both…
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Construction Stage 3 – Lock Up
The house really starts to look more like what you expected as the build advances from the Frame Stage to Lock up. Looks however can be deceptive… in actual fact the building process is really only 50% completed at Lock…
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Construction Stage 2 – Frame
This stage of the building is fairly quick but gives you a chance to get a feel for the finished house. Framing usually starts a few days after the slab has finished. Sometimes frame erection may start the day after…
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