Glossary

Awning window.

Air conditioning.

Addenda is a document which contains the details of your standard inclusion. For example, included in your build is standard two course bricks to the entire home. The addenda will note the maker and colour of these bricks – eg Brickmakers in Loongana. 

This a contractual document which you will sign off after making these choices. Everything that is included in the build will be included like the model of your oven, colour of your benchtop, and number of door handles.

Administration arranges various aspects of your build, including but not limited to Drafting, Siteworks Estimating, Prestart, Shire/Developer Approvals, etc.

An undercover outdoor entertaining area.

Appliance cupboard.

Australian standard.

Bushfire Attack Level.

BAL stands for Bushfire Attack Level. The BAL Assessment of Bushfire Assessment provides designers with site-specific information on how to design the structure to reduce the risk of ignition from bushfires, ember attack and radiant heat. 

The result of the assessment determines the specific construction and design requirements that will need to be adhered to, in order to improve the performance of structures against possible bushfires. 

A BAL rating can range from BAL-LOW to BAL-FZ. FZ refers to Flame Zone which means extreme risk.

Sloping board fixed to the verge of projecting gable or eaves to conceal roof construction.

Horizontal tiled portion which sits flat above bath riser.

The tiled section which runs vertically from the floor to the lip of the bath.

Timber that has been treated to prevent infestation of the European house borer.

Brick laid on edge.

Brick laid on flat.

Wall built on the boundary.

Broom cupboard.

Documents granting permission for construction to commence, issued from the relevant Shire/Council.

Lowered portion of ceiling, usually to accommodate a projecting structure or service. Under eave extension bulkheads can be square or raking.

A quarter-rounded end to a surface or an object.

Brickwork.

Ceiling level.

Centre line.

An attached brick pier in the garage that closes off the cavity between internal and external leaves of brickwork (the external house wall).

Insulation installed in the cavity of the external brick wall to improve energy efficiency.

A Certificate of Design Compliance is often required to obtain a Building Permit to construct a building or incidental structure. A CDC must be signed by a registered building surveyor and confirms the design of the building and/or incidental structure meets the Building Code.

An offical document showing land ownership details, inclusive of any encumbrances. Also known as Proof of Title.

Corner column.

Corrosion protection of steel is required on all homes within 10km of surf coast (ie beaches) and within 100m of non-surf coast (ie rivers and canals). The closer a home is being constructed to these the more upgrades are required to protect steel components of the house (ie nails, beams, wire ties, lintels) from corrosion.

An initial assessment by a Lender advising the amount of money you are able to borrow. This is usually “subject to” meeting required terms and conditions, the most common conditions would be confirmation of income, assets and liabilities, as well as a satisfactory valuation on the house and land package being purchased. The Conditional Approval is approved for a certain period of time – usually 6 months. Also known as Pre-Approval and/or Approved in Principle.

A tube installed in the wall (normally from a given height up to the ceiling) to assist in the installation of cabling.

Your main point of contact during the Construction phase.

Any documents pertaining to your Contract. Including but not limited to Contract Quotation, Standard Specification, Addenda, Building Contract, Working Drawings/Plans and Variations.

Your main point of contact during the Administration phase.

A finish applied to the exterior of the dwelling – painted a different colour to the main render colour used.

The legal process of transferring property from one person to another.

Metal beading applied to the external (trafficable) corners of internal brickwork by the plasterer to prevent damage to corners.

An asthetically pleasing way to cover the joint where walls meet ceilings, usually made from curved plasterboard.

Cracks which appear to the cornice, a natural part of the home settling.

A narrow style home design used to suit smaller lots with the garage generally located at the rear of the property.

A covenant (also known as Restrictive Covenant) is an agreement between two parties that restricts use of land or requires land to be used in a specified way. The majority of new housing estates contain Restrictive Covenants imposed by the Land Developer requiring new dwellings to meet specified design/development standards (see ‘Design Guidelines’). This is separate to the requirements imposed by the Local Authority.

Consumer pole (electric).

The section of driveway between your boundary and the road.

The amount of funds required to be paid forward in order for processes to commence.

Design guidelines are restrictions imposed by the Land Developer requiring new dwellings to meet specified design/development standards. This is separate to the requirements imposed by the Local Authority. Design guidelines are incorporated as part of a Restrictive Covenant (refer ‘Covenants’) registered to the Certificate of Title.

A planning document that sets out development standards in the area to which the plan relates. Also known as Local Development Plan (LDP).

Person or company responsible for the development of the land on which you will be building, eg: Satterly, Mirvac, Cedarwoods etc.

Double hung – a window with two sashes.

Door height opening.

Used in the addenda to denote door handles and locks.

Pipes that are connected to your gutters that carry rainwater from the roof to soakwells or a drain.

Flat fibrous cement sheet cladding/lining (to eaves or external ceilings where applicable).

Dishwasher recess.

Scraping of the site to remove debris, rocks, trees and organic material, compacting and preparing the sand pad (including compaction) ready for footings and slab to be poured (also known as Siteworks).

Part of a roof that meets or overhangs the walls of the dwelling.

A drawing pertaining to the locations of the electrical items in your home, inclusive of GPO’s (power points), light switches, bayonets, batten holders, etc.

The distance of the connection of the electrical wiring from the power source to your meter box.

The external facing portions of your home (front, rear and sides).

The detailed engineering drawings for the approved structure of your home.

Bathroom joined to the Master Suite.

Luxurious engineered stone surface made from up to 95% quartz, typically applied as a benchtop in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry areas.

A fan provided for the mechanical discharge of air, fumes or gases from a space.

Windows with fixed panes of glass; unable to be opened.

Brickwork laid to your home that is not covered with render, often used as a design feature.

An architectural term for a visible vertical panel or band under a roof edge, often attached to gutters.

The floor level of a dwelling referenced from the Surveyors contour and feature survey.

Full height opening.

Final plans are the final version of the Working Drawings that are signed. After this point, no changes can be made to the design of the house and it will be added to your Contract Documents. 

Before you sign these, check that any of the changes made at your Prestart appointment and throughout the Administration process are included and you are happy with them. Next stop, Construction!

These will be the final Working Drawings (plans) that you will sign, they will include any changes made at your Prestart appointment and/or throughout the Administration process.

A distinctive ornament or small post at the apex of a roof gable.

A document that sets out risk management strategies for a site or new housing estate within a high risk area. The FMP will often impose conditions requiring vegetation to be cleared and maintained to reduce fire risk. Note, this is not a BAL Report.

A Practical Completion Inspection or more commonly known as PCI, is contractually important as it closes out the Contract. Your Construction Consultant will book a time for you to meet with your supervisor on site to complete this inspection.Your final invoice will be issued after this meeting. This is also the start of the 6 month maintenance period (which is covered in the Contract).  During this time, it is important to organise your own home insurance as this will be required by the bank before you can make final payment. 

After the first inspection, the supervisor will rectify any items that were noted and then you will meet again on site to sign off on your home. Your construction consultant will then be in touch to arrange key handover!

Flashing refers to thin pieces of impervious material installed to prevent the passage of water into a structure from a joint or as part of a weather resistant barrier (WRB) system.

Float is a sand/cement render applied to internal walls of the home. Set is the white lime set coat applied to the top of the float.

A removable frame fitted to a door or window containing a fine mesh screen, used to assist with keeping insects out.

Typically made of concrete these are poured into an excavated trench. These are the foundations of the house and they are required on all homes based on a sand site however will require upgrading to include steel reinforcing and/or increasing in size when reactive soil (clay) is present.

Formal finance approval (also known as Unconditional Approval), is when all conditions set by the lender have been met and the loan is considered fully approved. 

The formal finance approval will be sent by the lender directly to your broker, who will pass it on to your settlement agent in order to prepare for settlement on your block of land and or house.

Fridge/freezer recess.

Fridge recess.

The width of the block at the front setback line.

Flumed vent.

Floor waste.

Floor waste.

Small gable in place of the apex of the roof.

Pressed metal cover at the top of the garage door, matches the finish of the garage door and is a fixed panel (does not open with the garage door).

Ground level.

The action of installing the glass in to the window frames.

Glued and laminated beams – similar to LVL’s but are typically made with a hardwood.

General power outlet/power point.

Concrete to a driveway, garage/carport or path.

A dwelling that is one of a group of two or more dwellings on the same lot such that no dwelling is placed vertically above another. A grouped dwelling also includes a dwelling on a Survey Strata lot with common property.

A mortar or paste for filling the gaps between wall or floor tiles.

A shallow trough fixed beneath the edge of a roof for directing rainwater to downpipes.

An allowance to excavate/dig rock or clay to allow the installation of services, soakwells and pouring of the footing and/or slab.

A row of bricks all laid with the end facing outwards.

A window positioned at a high level, often seen in theatre rooms.

The meeting line formed by the intersection of two inclined roof surfaces.

Funds borrowed generally from a financial institution in order to assist with purchasing a property.

A person who purchases a property in which to reside.

Hot plate.

Hot water system.

A fibrous mat supplied in strips for the thermal insulation of roofs, stud walls or ceilings where applicable.

Larger scale and more detailed drawings of rooms within the house – typically kitchen, ensuite, bathroom, laundry.

Key handover is the most exciting part of your journey. Once final payment has been received we’ll arrange an appointment at our showroom, BGC Home, where you will be given the keys to your new home, a handover pack and even a little gift from us.

Laundry.

A material used to cover cabinetry and/or benchtops, typically found in bathrooms, kitchens, laundries.

The Building Code of Australia prescribes minimum natural light and ventilation requirements for certain rooms. A habitable room must be provided with a window/s not less than 10% of the floor area to meet the natural light requirement. A habitable room must be provided with an opening window or door that is at least 5% of the room size to meet natural ventilation requirements. A sanitary compartment, laundry or bathroom is permitted to be ventilated by an exhaust fan. The Building Codes permits light and ventilation to be ‘borrowed’ from another room in some situations.

Linen cupboard.

Payment called for once all external doors and windows have been installed allowing the structure to be secured and ‘locked up’.

Your block of land. Also known as Site.

Lamp post.

Low voltage downlight.

Laminated veneered beam used inside roofs as structural support beams. Similar to Glulams however usually made with a softwood.

Meter box.

A finish applied to the exterior of the dwelling – painted a different colour to the Contrasting Render colour used.

A laminate set in melamine plastic used predominantly for shelving.

Metal frame.

Man hole.

Tiles that have chamfered edges to minimise clay edge exposure.

Microwave recess.

The NBN network is our broadband network. It has been designed to provide Australians with access to all the benefits of fast and reliable internet services, wherever they live.

Bayonet point used to operate an unflumed gas heater.

Natural ground level.

Projecting wall. Typically to provide an end to cupboards, fridge recesses etc. Also used in bathrooms built in-between vanities and shower recesses, used to provide practicality and maximise space.

Internal timber or MDF window sill.

Obscure glazing.

This is a legal contract to purchase property, i.e. vacant land or an established home. An offer and acceptance sets out the terms of the sale, including but not limited to, the agreed upon purchase price, finance due date, settlement due date and any other special conditions applicable to the sale. To be a binding contract, the Offer and Acceptance must be fully executed – that is, signed by both the buyer (purchaser/client) and seller (vendor/land agent) Also known as a Contract of Sale.

Overhang.

Top cabinetry that is suspended above the counter space fixed to the wall as opposed to base cabinets that sit on the floor, typically seen in kitchens and laundries.

A form of retaining, comprising of concrete panels and posts to form a wall.

In areas where underground power has been installed a pillar or ‘green dome’ is placed just inside the property boundary. The green dome contains live electrical wires and should be treated with a high degree of caution, particularly when performing work nearby.

Cover over an internal sliding door rail or a curtain rail.

Peg found.

Peg gone.

Painted Galvanized Iron.

A vertical brick column either attached to a wall or free standing.

The slope of the roof. Typically 25 degrees.

A door that pivots on a point at the top and bottom rather than being hung from a frame using hinges. As the pivot point is along the line of the door, the full opening is slightly smaller than the door panel width.

Planning Approval or Development Approval is required for certain types of dwellings under the Planning and Development Regulations. A grouped dwelling (such as a unit or villa with common property) or a non-compliant single house requires Planning Approval. Planning Approval or Development Approval is not required for a compliant single house on a lot over 260 sqm or a compliant single house that is subject to a Local Development Plan/Detailed Area Plan (See ‘DAP’)

Manufactured product installed as a ceiling lining, typically internal to the house. When used externally a water resistant variant is used but cannot extend out to the fascia.

When brickwork has been completed ready for the roof carpentry trade (minor rectification works and sill bricks may be outstanding).

Payment called for once your brickwork has been completed to ‘plate’ height. Able to support the next storey of the roof assembly.

A raised shelf or step in the floor.

A gutter outlet used to distribute rain water overflow from one roof plane to another.

A covered shelter projecting in front of the entrance of a building.

A structure outside the entry to the home, usually with a higher and partly separate roof line to create a feature.

A vertical support – usually steel, typically seen in alfresco and porches where they support the roof.

Baked enamel paint finish.

Power pole.

The state reached when the home has been essentially completed and is fit for its intended purpose (except for minor omissions and defects that do not prevent its use).

Payment called for once first Practical Completion Inspection has been completed.

See Conditional Approval.

A preliminary document signed during the Sales process (at the beginning) by the homeowners and the Builder. It contains agreements for certain works and a list of specified items pertaining to the build. Once the file has been recived into Administration this document is then transferred into a legal document – the Contract Quotation

The Prestart meeting is the fun part where the final product and colour selections are made for your home. These are chosen from samples on display in our Showroom.. The  samples include external bricks, roof tiles, paving and more.

Preparation is required for this meeting, including making selections on the Portal, having the flooring selection chosen from our preferred suppliers and your electrical plan. 

This is the final stage to make any changes to your home before it moves to construction.

This person will be your main contact during your Prestart appointment, they will guide you through the Prestart process, assisting with colour and design selections, obtaining quotes and amending anything required, they will also issue your Final Plans.

A payment made to the Builder by the clients financial institution on completion of a specified stage (usually nominated on contract).

Pantry.

Photovoltaic solar cells that are installed on the roof and generate electricity. Please note these are different to solar hot water panels.

Polyvinyl Chloride (plastic)

Mechanical fan type device that is installed above the stove/cooktop area in the kitchen. Typically used to provide light and assists in removing fumes, heat, odours, steam etc.

Recess.

Standard flush face hollow core door.

Acrylic or cement finish applied to the exterior of the dwelling which is often painted.

Undertaken by a licenced surveyor to confirm the extent and locations of the lot boundaries by checking or replacing the boundary pegs.

The Residential Design Codes is a State Planning Policy that applies to residential development in every Local Authority. The R-Codes is the principal document used to control residential development and includes development standards relating to site cover, setbacks etc. The requirements of a Local Development Plan/Detailed Area Plan or a Local Planning Policy override the R-Code requirements.

A structure (generally concrete post & panel or limestone blocks) used to retain soil mass when different levels occur on site.

Tiling that is carried through on to a side surface. Eg: kitchen splashback tiling that continues to be tiled if there is a side wall present.

Horizontal top leading edge of a roof.

Payment called for once your roof cover has been installed and is water tight.

Shelf and rail (wardrobes).

A device used for fire detection, it detects and gives warning of the presence of smoke.

A sketch arranged by your Sales Representative at the beginning of the process. Once you reach the Drafting Department as part of the Administration phase these will then be transferred into your Working Drawings.

Timber cut to outline of tiles and nailed to barge.

Sliding door.

This ensures that any items noted at First PCI have been completed and closed out. Prior to Handover on receipt of the final payment due to Builder.

The distance of a building from a lot boundary.

Settlement is the formal transfer of ownership of a property from seller to buyer. This process is undertaken by a licenced settlement agent.

This involves:

• Coordination of all involved parties (your bank, vendors bank and vendors representative)
• Preparing and signing the transfer documents
• Registering the transfer of ownership 
• Making final payment to the seller

Settlement usually takes about an hour or so, but the run-up to the big day can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 12 months. It all depends on your individual circumstances, finances and timeframes. It also requires you to complete all documentation in a timely manner, as any hold ups can add up to lengthy delays.

Once settlement is complete, the fun begins. If you’re purchasing an established home, you are able to pick up the keys now and move in. If you’re building, your settlement agent will provide the Certificate of Title to your builder and they can then progress your construction to site works stage.

The person hired by yourselves who will be responsible for handling the above task.

Tiled upstand stepped over to reach shower.

Shower.

A dwelling standing wholly on its own Green Title or Survey Strata lot without common property.

Single Phase Power supply is the standard supply to many new homes built in WA. It is the provision of 240 volts AC (+/- 6 volts) with 63 amps from the network operator to the consumer metering device. Single Phase Power is required to run most general purpose lighting, power and directly connected appliances.

Site coverage is the maximum area of a lot that can be occupied by a building. This is a development standard imposed under the R-Codes or Local Development Plan/Detailed Area Plan (See ‘DAP’).

A drawing of your home located on your block, the site plan shows a variety of information including but not limited to; boundaries, set-backs, sand pad levels, finish floor levels, coastal conditions and services such as water, power, sewerage etc.

All sites need to be inspected and classified to understand how ‘reactive’ the soil is and investigate any underlying ground conditions that might damage a structure once built. The findings of this inspection are then formalised with a site report provided by the engineer.

The person responsible for overseeing the construction of your home, you will attend certain site meetings with this person.

A document prepared by a licenced surveyor that shows the boundaries and levels on the site and verge and any above ground / visible structures on or in close proximity to the site.

Site works describes the work required on your building site to prepare your home build, and the ongoing management of the building site. The items affecting the placement of the house on the site, include earthworks, power, stormwater, retaining, sewer and water run, etc.

Effectively, it’s all the work that’s carried out on the site that doesn’t directly involve putting up your house.

The items affecting the placement of the house on the site, including but not limited to earthworks, power, stormwater, retaining, sewer and water run, etc.

Six Star certification is a measure of energy efficiency specifically focused on the use of energy to heat and cool a home. 

Caring for the environment starts at home, so every house we build has a minimum NatHERS 6-star energy rating. Our homes are designed and built to be cooler in summer and warmer in winter, making them more efficient to heat and cool.

A single lower pitched roof without a ridge or peak.

Payment called for once your siteworks and the concrete slab and footings have been completed.

Brick sill laid on an angle usually over 2 courses.

A system of home cabling that runs wires back to a central, manageable location (a smart wire panel). Home cabling typically consists of network cabling (Category 6 data cables) and TV / Foxtel distribution (Quad shield RG6 coax cables).

A below-ground lined well used to collect and discharge stormwater.

A slightly set down section of ceiling, either for a robe or to define separation between rooms.

All sites need to be inspected and classified to understand how ‘reactive’ the soil is and investigate any underlying ground conditions that might damage a structure once built. The findings of this inspection are then formalised with a site report provided by the engineer.

A row of bricks all laid vertically, on edge.

Building orientation on the site, and the position of window and door openings in relation to northern solar access.

Stay pole.

A vertically lined end to a boxed eave with a timber barge board to suit the change in height of eaves/gutters.

The level of the sand pad on which a building is positioned referenced to a datum.

See Sloping Sill.

A style of opaque glass through which light can pass but objects cannot be discerned.

A type of gutter designed to sit on top of boundary walls.

Stormwater occurs naturally as rainfall lands on the roof of the dwelling. Gutters collect this water and a system of pipes (downpipes) take this collected water and pipe it away to soakwells or alternatively to a connection point installed by the council.

Consulting Engineer that BGC Residential engage to carry out engineers details, retaining wall inspections and stormwater designs when required.

Land surveying accurately measures and marks out the primary property boundaries on your site.

It produces preliminary markers to set out where your new home will be situated on the property. This ensures that your property borders are accurate, and that your house is built exactly where it should be.

To be advised.

To be selected.

A valve which is connected to the outlet of the hot water unit which automatically controls the temperature of the water to a set temperature.

Timber frame.

Used for both larger homes and businesses. Three phase power is readily available to most Points of Supply, but it only installed by request or as required. Three Phase Power is the provision of 415 volts AC (+/- 6 volts) with 32 amps over each phase when high current motors or appliances are being installed. Air conditioners, induction hotplates and submersible bore motors commonly require three phase connection. Could be required for dwellings that have/use pools, spas, heavy machinery etc.

The 3 Point Pack provides an entry level cabling solution to connect your home to TV, phone and internet services. It consists of a single TV point, data point and phone point and meets the requirements for NBN compliance. Also known as Standard Telecommunications Package.

Timber laminate flooring.

A parcel of land with title, recognized by Landgate, particulars which can be dealt with and sold for change of ownership.

Top of footing.

Top of retaining.

Top of wall.

Towel rail or trough.

Universal beam (used in roof).

Under bench oven.

Under main roof.

A parcel of land off the plan, which is not yet subdivided or recognized by Landgate. Often no footpaths, water, power, rad or curbing existing.

The internal junction of two roof planes.

The process of developing an opinion of the resale market value for a property. Valuations are undertaken by a third party (valuer) and are used by banks to establish the sale price (worth) of a property (security), based on the location, dimension and improvements of the property. Also known as a Property Valuation or Land Valuation.

A licensed third party who conducts valuations.

Vanadium stains are a result of water soluble vanadium salts. These salts are put into solution by excess water migrating through the bricks and brought to the surface as they dry out. During this drying out process the water evaporates leaving staining on the bricks surface.

The tiled area between the floor and the bottom of the vanity cabinetry, generally recessed in somewhat.

Document referring to a change/clarification/cost issued post Contract signing, eg: Siteworks Variation, Prestart Variation, etc.

A person or company offering something for sale.

A panel (typically melamine or laminate) that supports a bench or shelf.

Weather proof/water proof.

Where the benchtop is continued down the side of the cupboard/cabinetry (bench) to the floor.

Toilet or water closet.

Walk in linen.

Wind classification relates to gust wind speeds (m/s) that affect a given. The determination of a wind classification is critical in ensuring that a building is designed and constructed to the level appropriate to withstand the wind forces it will be subjected to.

Walk in pantry.

Walk in robe.

Washing machine bay.

Wall oven.

Building drawings/plans that are drawn to scale which serve as a guide for the construction of your home. They are one part of your overall contract documentation and are used to gain all appropriate approvals.

An alloy of zinc and aluminium used for sheet metal and formed products (eg: downpipes, roof sheeting, fascia, etc).