Glossary

Glossary

• ABIC MW Major Works edition.
• ABIC SW-2018 Australian Building Industry Contract, Simple Works edition.
• Addenda formal revisions issued during tender period.
• Allowance looser term often used loosely; can mean PC or PS.
• AS standards Australian Standards referenced throughout NCC (e.g.
• BAL bushfire risk rating; drives material specs in bushfire-prone zones.
• BASIX NSW thermal/water/energy assessment.
• Cost-plus contract actual cost + builder's margin.
• D&C builder takes on design risk.
• DA (Development Application) planning approval pathways.
• Defects liability period period after practical completion when builder must fix defects (usually 12 months residential).
• Detention stormwater management often required by council for new impervious area.
• Document precedence order of authority when documents conflict (typically contract > spec > drawings > schedules).
• Drawing register list of all drawings issued, with revisions.
• Energy report assesses thermal performance, drives glazing/insulation specs.
• Engineer's details drawings produced by a structural engineer specifying footings, framing, steel, etc.
• Footing the base of the structure transferring load to the ground.
• GPO electrical socket.
• Hazmat survey pre-demo identification of hazardous materials.
• HIA contracts Housing Industry Association contracts.
• Hydraulic plans plumbing schematic showing water, waste, stormwater layout.
• Liquidated damages pre-agreed daily $ payable by builder if project runs late.
• Livable Housing Silver accessibility provisions in NCC 2022 (mandatory in VIC for new dwellings since Oct 2023).
• Lump sum contract fixed price for a defined scope.
• Make good vague contract phrase meaning "rectify to acceptable condition." Always worth defining tightly.
• MBA contracts Master Builders Association contracts.
• NCC the building code governing all construction in Australia.
• Niche recessed shelf in shower wall.
• PC sum supply allowance for an item where the actual product hasn't been chosen yet (e.g.
• Practical completion the milestone when works are sufficiently complete for the client to occupy.
• PS allowance for work where scope isn't fully defined (e.g.
• Retention % of payment held back (typically 5%) until defects period passes.
• RFI formal question from builder to architect/client during tender or build.
• Rough-in first-fix services (electrical, plumbing) before linings go on.
• Screen shower screen; framed/semi-frameless/frameless.
• Slab on ground concrete slab poured directly on prepared ground.
• Soil report classifies site soil per AS 2870 (A, S, M, H1, H2, E, P).
• Stormwater discharge where roof and surface water legally must connect (council-controlled).
• Stumped older houses on timber or concrete stumps; common in VIC/QLD.
• SWMS required for high-risk construction work under WHS regs.
• Tie-down connection from roof to foundation resisting wind uplift.
• TPZ protected radius around significant trees per AS 4970-2009.
• Traffic management plan required where construction affects public access; council permits often needed.
• Variation change to scope after contract signing.
• Waterproofing wet area construction per AS 3740.