If you’re planning to build a warehouse, office, medical suite, retail building or childcare centre development, the finance process usually looks very different from a traditional construction loan.

Read more “What is a commercial construction loan and how does it work?”

When most people picture a home under construction, they think of the visible parts like walls, windows, roofing, and finishes. But the elements that support the building are often hidden beneath or behind those surfaces, working in the background to keep the structure stable and secure.

If you’ve commissioned a new home, it helps to understand a few of the common structural terms you may come to hear during construction process. Things like footings, lintels, joists, cleats, and gussets all play different roles. Each contributes to how the building carries weight, transfers loads, and stays secure over time.

For readers who want to keep learning about materials, systems and specifications, these Australian building design and specification resources provide extra background without turning this article into a technical engineering guide.

Read more “Structural elements in construction: footings, lintels, joists, cleats and gussets”

In construction, RFI stands for Request for Information. It is a formal request for information during a project when something in the drawings, specifications, scope, or site conditions is unclear and needs to be confirmed before work can proceed.

Read more “What is an RFI in construction?”

In construction, ITP stands for Inspection and Test Plan.

It is a quality-control document that shows what needs to be inspected, tested, when those checks should happen, and who is responsible for them during the construction process. An ITP helps make sure the work is carried out in line with the project requirements, drawings, specifications, and relevant standards.

Read more “What does ITP stand for in construction?”

Cost plus is a construction pricing model where the owner pays the actual cost of delivering the project, plus an agreed builder’s fee or margin. Instead of agreeing on a fixed price at the start, the final contract value depends on what the work costs as the project progresses.

The “cost” part usually includes items such as labour, materials, subcontractors, and any other project expenses. The “plus” is the builder’s margin or management fee, which covers overhead and profit.

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A Prime Cost (PC) item is an allowance in a building contract for an item that has not been selected when the contract price is prepared. It usually applies to the supply of a fixture or fitting excluding the labour to install it.

Common PC items include taps, toilets, basins, tiles, appliances, door hardware, and light fittings.

Read more “What is a Prime Cost item in construction?”