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| 6 Jun 2013 Lighting
Lighting can transform your new house into a home. Early planning about your lighting requirements can save a costly and inconvenient retrofit at a later stage. As part of this planning process you will need to decide about the type of lighting you require. This decision is more than thinking about whether you want downlights, […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Liquidated Damages
A liquidated damages (LD) clause is common in many building contracts for commercial or institutional buildings, but less common in residential contracts. Liquidated damages are an amount which the builder agrees to pay to the homeowner for late completion of the project. This is usually an amount per day or per week. Liquidated damages are […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Mobile Cranes
The use of mobile cranes in the residential construction industry has become commonplace. Before commencing using a crane on a construction site it is important to develop a work plan or safe work method statement for all crane operations. A work plan or safe work method statement should be developed which includes information on, but […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Notice of Completion BA7
Notice of completion – click here to read the article Form BA7 pdf Form BA7 word
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| 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 […]
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| 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 […]
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| 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. […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Financial Management
Construction companies need to carefully manage their business to address cash flow and other financial risks. There are a range of reasons why established businesses fail or suffer financial distress. These include a lack of adequate funding, a lack of an early warning reporting system, a failure to recruit quality personnel and a […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 BCA: Class 1a vs Class 2
Classification of a building is of paramount importance for the viability of a project. Getting it right from the start will ensure you are not over or under-specifying your buildings. Large developments are sometimes classified incorrectly as Class 2 based on the scale, instead of the actual definition of the buildings of the development. This […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Financing a Renovation
The first thing to consider when you decide to renovate is exactly how you want to enhance your home. It seems obvious, but making sure you have a clearly defined vision from the start will minimise the risk of getting carried away and allow you to stick to a budget. Once you decide on what […]