Glossary
ABN: Australian Business Number
A unique identifier for businesses, including builders and contractors.
Aggregate
Material like gravel, pebbles, or crushed stone used in concrete or landscaping.
Alfresco
An outdoor living area usually at the rear and adjacent to the dwelling, and typically roofed and paved.
Architrave
Moulding around windows or doors.
BAL Rating (Bushfire Attack Level)
Measures a building’s potential exposure to ember attack, radiant heat, and direct flame contact in bushfire-prone areas. It guides construction materials and methods to improve fire resistance.
Balustrade
A row of spindles topped by a rail, for edging terraces, staircases, etc.
Battens
Strips of timber or metal used to hold roofing or cladding materials in place.
BCA – Building Code of Australia
The national code that sets the standards for the design and construction of buildings in Australia.
Bearer
Horizontal beams that support the floor joists.
Bearing Wall
A wall that supports additional weight from above.
BOQ – Bill Of Quantities
A detailed list of materials and labor required for a construction project.
Brick Bond (Tiling)
A tiling pattern that mimics the arrangement of bricks in a wall, where each tile is offset from the tiles in adjacent rows, typically by half its length. This pattern is popular in both wall and floor tiling for its aesthetic appeal and the way it can visually expand a space.
Brick Veneer
A construction method where a single layer of bricks is attached to the outside of the house frame.
Brickie
Slang for a bricklayer.
Building Engineer
A professional specialising in the engineering aspects of designing, constructing, and maintaining buildings. They focus on structural integrity, energy efficiency, and the integration of systems within buildings to ensure safety, comfort, and functionality.
Building Surveyor
A professional responsible for assessing and approving building plans to ensure they comply with building codes, standards, and regulations. They inspect construction works at various stages to certify compliance and can issue building permits and occupancy certificates.
Bulkhead
A boxed structure hiding ducting or piping, often found below the ceiling in a basement or kitchen.
Cabinet Maker
Specialist who designs, constructs and installs custom cabinetry.
Caulking
Sealing material used to fill gaps to prevent leaks in buildings.
Cavity Wall
Double walls with a space in between for insulation.
Certificate of Occupancy
A document allowing occupancy of a building.
Chippie
Slang for a carpenter.
Cladding
Material applied to the exterior of a building for protection and aesthetics.
Colour Schedule
A detailed document used in construction and interior design projects, specifying the colours, materials, and finishes for various elements of a building, such as walls, flooring, tiles, and cabinetry. It serves as a guide for builders and contractors to ensure design consistency throughout the project.
Cornice
Decorative moulding between walls and ceiling.
Dado Rail
Protective wall trim.
Dam Proofing
Treatments applied to prevent moisture from passing into interior spaces.
DBU – Domestic Builder Unlimited
A builder licensed to work on any residential project without cost limitations.
Demo
Short for demolition.
Development Application (DA)
A formal request for permission to carry out proposed development.
Downpipe
A pipe that carries rainwater from the gutters to the ground or stormwater system.
Draftsperson
A professional skilled in creating detailed technical drawings and plans for building and construction projects. A draftsperson works closely with architects and engineers to translate design ideas into precise, technical blueprints that guide the construction process. They use computer-aided design software to ensure accuracy and compliance with Australian building codes and standards.
Easement (Drainage)
Allows for water run-off or stormwater systems to be placed across your land to manage flooding, and is noted on the property title. It limits land use in the easement area to ensure access and functionality, impacting both current and future owners. Essential for community infrastructure, it must remain unobstructed.
Eaves
The part of the roof that overhangs the walls of a house.
Electrical Rough-In
The stage of construction when electrical boxes and wires are installed before walls are closed up.
Elevation
An architectural drawing showing a side of a building.
Ensuite
A bathroom attached directly to a bedroom.
Exposed Aggregate
A decorative concrete finish for driveways where the top layer of cement paste is removed to reveal the aggregate (stone or gravel) beneath. This technique offers a durable, skid-resistant surface and aesthetic appeal through various colors and textures of aggregate.
Facade
The exterior face or front of a building, often designed with aesthetic and architectural considerations to define the building’s appearance and character. Facades can feature various materials, colors, and architectural styles, serving both functional and decorative purposes.
Fascia
A horizontal metal board along the edge of the roof.
FFL (Finished Floor Level)
Refers to the final height of a floor once construction is completed, measured from a known reference point. FFL is crucial for ensuring proper drainage, flood avoidance, and compliance with building regulations.
Fit-off
The final stage of electrical and plumbing work, where fixtures are installed.
Fixed Window
A non-opening window.
Footings
The base on which a building’s foundation is built.
Gable
The triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof.
Glazed (Windows)
Refers to windows fitted with one or more layers of glass. Double or triple glazing improves insulation, energy efficiency, and noise reduction by trapping air or gas between panes, also offering options for thermal performance, UV protection, and privacy enhancements.
Glazing
The process of installing windows.
Grade
The level of the ground around a building.
Grout
A dense fluid, usually a mixture of water, cement, sand, and sometimes colorant, used to fill gaps and seal joints between tiles, stones, and other masonry units. Grout enhances the strength, integrity, and appearance of tile installations, prevents moisture penetration, and can contribute to the aesthetic by complementing or contrasting with tile colour.
Gutter
A channel installed along the edges of a roof to collect and divert rainwater away from the building’s foundation. Gutters are essential for preventing water damage to the structure, soil erosion around the foundation, and leaks into basements or crawl spaces.
Gyprock
A brand of plasterboard used for walls and ceilings.
Header
A beam placed over a window, door or other opening.
Hebel
A brand name for a type of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) used in Australia. Hebel products are lightweight, yet strong building materials that provide excellent thermal insulation, fire resistance, and acoustic properties. They are used in a wide range of residential and commercial construction projects, including walls, floors, and roofs. Hebel blocks and panels are easy to handle and cut, which can speed up the construction process.
HIA
Housing Industry Association: A leading industry association representing the residential building sector.
Hip Roof
A type of roof where all sides slope downwards to the walls.
Horizontal Stack (Tiling)
A tiling pattern where tiles are laid in straight rows running horizontally across a surface, with each tile aligned directly above and below one another, creating a uniform grid-like appearance.
House Wrap
A synthetic material used to protect buildings from moisture.
Insulation
Material used to prevent heat transfer from inside to outside of a house and vice versa.
Island Bench
A freestanding counter in a kitchen, accessible from all sides.
Jamb
The vertical components that form the sides of a door frame, window frame, or fireplace.
Joist
A horizontal structural member used to support a ceiling or floor.
Junction Box
An enclosure that protects wire connections.
Kickboard
A panel covering the space between the bottom of cabinets and the floor.
Knockdown Rebuild (KDR)
Demolishing an old house to build a new one in its place.
Legal Point of Discharge (LPOD)
The specific location where a property’s stormwater is legally allowed to be discharged. It is designated by the local council or water authority and ensures that stormwater is managed properly to prevent flooding and erosion, protect water quality, and comply with local regulations. The LPOD is a critical consideration in site planning and drainage design for new constructions and developments.
Lintel
A horizontal support across the top of a door or window.
Load-Bearing Wall
A wall that supports the weight of elements above it, such as the roof or upper floors.
Masonry
Construction with individual units of bricks, stones, or concrete blocks.
MDF
Medium Density Fibreboard, used for cabinetry.
Mitre Joint
A joint made by beveling each of two parts to be joined, usually at a 45° angle.
Mortar
A mixture of sand, water, cement, and sometimes lime, used in the building industry to bind together bricks, stones, or concrete blocks in construction. In Australia, mortar plays a crucial role in masonry work, providing structural integrity, durability, and weather resistance to walls and other structures. The composition of mortar can vary depending on the specific requirements of the project, such as strength, flexibility, or colour.
Mortgage
A loan obtained to purchase real estate.
Mud Map
A rough sketch or plan, often drawn on-site.
Niche
A shallow recess in a wall.
Nogg/Nogging
A short piece of timber between joists and studs for rigidity.
Orientation
The positioning of a building in relation to seasonal variations in the sun’s path.
Outlets
Points where electrical, gas, or water services are accessible in the house.
Pergola
An outdoor structure forming a shaded walkway or sitting area.
Plan of Subdivision
A legal document that shows how land is divided into smaller lots, common property, and easements. It’s used to create new titles for each lot, allowing them to be sold separately. The plan requires approval from local councils and regulatory bodies before subdivision can proceed.
Plasterboard
Wall and ceiling panelling.
Post Contract Variation
Changes to the contract terms, scope of work, materials, or design made after the original contract has been signed. These variations can affect project costs and timelines and must be agreed upon by both the builder and the client.
Pouring Slab
The process of pouring concrete to create the ground-level floor of a building.
R-Value
Measurement of thermal resistance.
Rafters
The beams that support the roof.
Rebar
Steel bars used to reinforce concrete.
Rebate
A rectangular or square step cut into wood or stone.
Rendering
Applying a coat of cement mixture to external walls for a smooth or textured finish.
Reno
Short for renovation or renovator.
Rough-in
The initial phase of electrical and plumbing work before walls and fixtures are installed.
Sarking
Protective layer over rafters.
Section 32
A legal document in Victoria, Australia, also known as the Vendor’s Statement. It provides potential buyers with important information about a property before sale, including title details, zoning, easements, and any other relevant property data.
Setback
The distance from the front boundary to the building.
Site Cut
Excavating a site to prepare for the construction of a foundation.
Site Plan
A detailed drawing representing a property from a top-down view, showing the layout of buildings, boundaries, driveways, landscaping, and other features relative to the site boundaries. These are essential for planning approvals and construction, detailing how a development interacts with its surroundings.
Sparky
Slang for an electrician.
Stud
Vertical framing member in wall construction.
Tiling
The process of installing tiles.
Title
A legal document that signifies ownership of a property or land. It includes information such as the owner’s name, property boundaries, and any encumbrances, easements, or covenants affecting the property. Titles are crucial for property transactions and establishing legal rights over land.
Tradie
Short for tradesperson, referring to anyone working in a trade.
Tread
The horizontal part of a stair step.
Trenches
Long, narrow ditches excavated to install services like plumbing and electrical.
Truss
A framework supporting a roof, bridge, or structure.
U-Value
Measurement of heat transfer through a building element.
Underlay (Flooring)
A layer of material placed between the subfloor and carpet or floorboards, designed to provide cushioning, insulation, and noise reduction, enhancing the durability and comfort of the flooring.
Underpinning
Strengthening the foundation of a building.
Vapour Barrier
Material used to prevent moisture penetration.
Variation
A change to the building contract.
VBA (Victorian Building Authority)
A statutory authority in Victoria, responsible for regulating the building and plumbing industries to ensure the construction of safe, accessible, and sustainable buildings. The VBA oversees compliance with building legislation, licensing and registration of building practitioners, building inspections, and enforcement of building standards and codes.
Veneer
A thin layer of wood or stone covering a lower-quality base.
Ventilation
The provision of fresh air to a building’s interior.
VMIA (Victorian Managed Insurance Authority)
The Victorian Managed Insurance Authority is a statutory authority in Victoria, providing risk management advice and insurance services to the Victorian Government and public sector bodies. In the context of building and construction, VMIA offers domestic building insurance, which is mandatory for builders to obtain for residential construction projects over a certain value. This insurance protects homeowners for a period of time after construction completion against structural defects and insolvency of the builder.
Waterproofing (Bathrooms)
The process of applying a moisture-resistant barrier around areas exposed to water, such as showers, to prevent water damage and leaks into the building structure or adjacent areas.
Weatherboard
Wooden cladding for exterior walls.
Weep Hole
Small openings in retaining walls for water drainage.
Window Sash
The part of a window that moves and holds the glass panes together.
X-bracing
Diagonal bracing that provides lateral stability to structures.
Year-Round Comfort
Refers to the design and construction practices that ensure a home maintains a comfortable temperature and humidity level throughout the year, without excessive reliance on heating or cooling systems. This can involve insulation, glazing, orientation, and shading considerations.
Yellow Tongue
Type of rigid conduit used by electricians to thread electrical cables through wall cavities, under floors or over ceilings.
Zoning
Regulations governing the use of land and the construction of buildings within specific areas.
Zoning (Heating and Cooling)
A method of devising a home into separate areas for independent temperature control, improving comfort and energy efficiency. Each zone has its own thermostat, allowing for tailored heating or cooling.