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  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Noise

    Starting times must comply with local government by-laws which dictate the hours within which on-site work can take place. You should consult the building department of your local authority for the relevant requirements. Compliance with these by-laws is a condition on which the building licence is issued to the builder. Once you have discovered the […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Preventative Maintenance

    The regular repainting of timber, sealing of joints, keeping vents and pipes clear, etc. can prevent damage occurring to a property. For example: Make sure that exterior underfloor vents are not covered or clogged up; Check underfloor ventilation and for pests in the underfloor spaces; Check that water drains away from the house after heavy […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Profit Margins in Building

    There are many variables which need to be taken into account to comment on profit margins such as the size and type of project, the type of contract, the overheads/administrative structure of the builder, number of sales and other staff employed, the economic state of the industry, whether renovations or new housing and so on. […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Put and call options

    Property transactions using “put and call options” have been  common in the Eastern States and are used sparingly in WA. This arrangement can be useful to both a vendor and a purchaser in certain circumstances. Put and call options give the purchaser the right to enter a contract of sale for land within a specified […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Project Planning & Software

    One of the fundamental outcomes any construction company wants to achieve is an increased ability to take on additional work. With the correct enterprise resource planning system in place (see construction software [link to Construction Software article below*]), your company will know where it has improved productivity, where it has reduced its costs and, at […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Planning Approvals & Offsets

    When a proposal’s impacts on biodiversity and/or ecological function cannot be fully mitigated, an offset package could be considered to support developments to become ecologically sustainable. Environmental offsets or environmentally beneficial activites can be determined in conjuction with proactive mechanisms such as use of best practice environmental management to ensure impact avoidance is the primary […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Building Sites and Theft

    Under most building contracts, the builder controls the site until practical completion. During the construction period a builder is usually responsible for theft, vandalism or other damage that occurs on the site. A builder may be able to claim on its insurance policy or may absorb the cost, depending on the amount involved. If your […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Concrete Cancer

    Concrete cancer often occur in coastal areas where sea salt can cause unwelcome reactions in brickwork, mortar and concrete slabs. Efflorescence is a powdery white salt deposit that can form on cement-based products like bricks, mortar and sometimes concrete. It usually appears when dry, hot weather follows a period of cool wet weather. Evaporation of […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Construction Costs

    Construction costs have risen strongly in recent years and it is important that your building is accurately valued at replacement cost for insurance purposes. If you have not reviewed the “sum insured” on your home recently, then you should do so. To give you a general guide as to recent trends in building costs, you can […]