A Crash Course in Learning to Speak Builderese
Learn some common building terms to make communicating with your builder throughout a renovation project that little bit easier
Alix Davis
24 April 2016
Houzz Australia Contributor. Editor of The Builderette blog. I'm an almost-architect by training and a magazine editor by career. Now writing a blog with my builder husband, that explains renovations one brick at a time.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Editor of The Builderette blog. I'm an almost-architect... More
When you start building or renovating, you’ll quickly discover that builders have a language all of their own. Here’s a decoder to help you translate ‘builderese’ and keep communication on track.
Term: Allowance
MEANING: When preparing a quote or estimate, builders will make an allowance for items for which there is no set price. This includes things like electrical, tiling, lighting, etc. Once you’ve agreed to that allowance, that’s how much money you’ve got to spend on that item – if you spend more than that, you’ll need to pay extra for it. Which will obviously affect your budget.
So make sure you look closely at allowances – the builder might have allowed $1,000 for a bath, when you’ve really got your heart set on that gorgeous $2,000 model you saw in the showroom last week.
MEANING: When preparing a quote or estimate, builders will make an allowance for items for which there is no set price. This includes things like electrical, tiling, lighting, etc. Once you’ve agreed to that allowance, that’s how much money you’ve got to spend on that item – if you spend more than that, you’ll need to pay extra for it. Which will obviously affect your budget.
So make sure you look closely at allowances – the builder might have allowed $1,000 for a bath, when you’ve really got your heart set on that gorgeous $2,000 model you saw in the showroom last week.
Term: BASIX
MEANING: This stands for the Building Sustainability Index and is part of the planning process in NSW; it’s designed to reduce water and energy consumption in homes. You can complete a BASIX assessment online and if you’re working with an architect, they should organise that for you. You need to have your BASIX certificate before you begin applying for permits and approvals.
More building jargon untangled
MEANING: This stands for the Building Sustainability Index and is part of the planning process in NSW; it’s designed to reduce water and energy consumption in homes. You can complete a BASIX assessment online and if you’re working with an architect, they should organise that for you. You need to have your BASIX certificate before you begin applying for permits and approvals.
More building jargon untangled
Term: CC
MEANING: Otherwise known as a Construction Certificate, a CC is an approval that makes sure your plans comply with the Building Code of Australia and any other relevant standards. You’ll get a CC after your project has been approved, and before you start construction. CCs are issued by your certifier – either from the council or a private certifier.
MEANING: Otherwise known as a Construction Certificate, a CC is an approval that makes sure your plans comply with the Building Code of Australia and any other relevant standards. You’ll get a CC after your project has been approved, and before you start construction. CCs are issued by your certifier – either from the council or a private certifier.
Term: Cost-plus
MEANING: This is one of the most common ways that builders price up a job. They’ll give you an estimate of what they think the job will cost – based on their experience and knowledge – and then you’ll pay for the time it took, plus the cost of any materials. Sometimes this can turn out cheaper than you expected and sometimes, if unexpected problems arise, it may cost more than estimated.
Hidden costs in builders’ quotes
MEANING: This is one of the most common ways that builders price up a job. They’ll give you an estimate of what they think the job will cost – based on their experience and knowledge – and then you’ll pay for the time it took, plus the cost of any materials. Sometimes this can turn out cheaper than you expected and sometimes, if unexpected problems arise, it may cost more than estimated.
Hidden costs in builders’ quotes
![Modern Exterior by thirdstone inc. [^]](https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/67b1c33e0f04a652_2551-w400-h534-b0-p0--modern-exterior.jpg)
Term: DA
MEANING: A Development Application is when you submit all your plans and documents to your local council for planning approval. The larger the project, generally the longer this process takes, although most councils are trying to improve their turnaround times. You can prepare a DA yourself, but it’s often prepared by the design professional working on your job (the architect, building designer, etc).
The cost to submit a DA depends on the size of the job, but in NSW it includes council fees, a long-service levy and various contributions. You may also require other reports (like a dilapidation report), and that’s on top of whatever you’ve paid the architect. Getting through a large renovation ($800,000) to the DA stage could cost between $50,000 and $80,000.
MEANING: A Development Application is when you submit all your plans and documents to your local council for planning approval. The larger the project, generally the longer this process takes, although most councils are trying to improve their turnaround times. You can prepare a DA yourself, but it’s often prepared by the design professional working on your job (the architect, building designer, etc).
The cost to submit a DA depends on the size of the job, but in NSW it includes council fees, a long-service levy and various contributions. You may also require other reports (like a dilapidation report), and that’s on top of whatever you’ve paid the architect. Getting through a large renovation ($800,000) to the DA stage could cost between $50,000 and $80,000.
Term: D&C
MEANING: In builderese, D&C means ‘design and construct’ and is generally used by builders who both design and construct homes – like small-scale project home builders.
MEANING: In builderese, D&C means ‘design and construct’ and is generally used by builders who both design and construct homes – like small-scale project home builders.
Term: Fixed price
MEANING: Quoting a fixed price is another way that builders estimate the price of a job, but in this instance they’ll give you a firm price, that only varies if you make changes after the price has been agreed upon. Builders will usually only agree to a fixed price if you have an extensive scope of works and they are able to foresee possible problems. A fixed-price quote is most common if you are building an entirely new house.
MEANING: Quoting a fixed price is another way that builders estimate the price of a job, but in this instance they’ll give you a firm price, that only varies if you make changes after the price has been agreed upon. Builders will usually only agree to a fixed price if you have an extensive scope of works and they are able to foresee possible problems. A fixed-price quote is most common if you are building an entirely new house.
Term: Prime-cost items
MEANING: Despite the rather dry terminology, prime-cost entries in a quote relate to the fun stuff, as prime-cost items are the fixtures and fittings – tiles, kitchen joinery and appliances, flooring, bathroom fittings, light fittings and more – that will bring the decorative effect to your project. To start gathering ideas for these, simply pore over your Ideabooks and find fit-out inspiration!
MEANING: Despite the rather dry terminology, prime-cost entries in a quote relate to the fun stuff, as prime-cost items are the fixtures and fittings – tiles, kitchen joinery and appliances, flooring, bathroom fittings, light fittings and more – that will bring the decorative effect to your project. To start gathering ideas for these, simply pore over your Ideabooks and find fit-out inspiration!
TIP: You’ll get the hang of builderese before you know it and, if there’s anything you’re not sure about, make sure you ask your builder for an explanation. Remember, there’s no such thing as a stupid question, especially when it comes to a major investment like a building project.
TELL US
Have you been bamboozled by building terms? What phrases are you still curious about? Share your experiences in the Comments below.
MORE
Think Like a Builder: 5 Key Strategies to a Smooth Build
6 Steps to Planning a Successful Building Project
You’re Ready to Build … or Are You?
TELL US
Have you been bamboozled by building terms? What phrases are you still curious about? Share your experiences in the Comments below.
MORE
Think Like a Builder: 5 Key Strategies to a Smooth Build
6 Steps to Planning a Successful Building Project
You’re Ready to Build … or Are You?
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Thanks for your comments everyone. With regards to prime cost items I agree - the more detail a customer can put in before they ask a builder for a quote the better. As a customer you need to give an indication of the quality you expect. A builder will put in an average amount for allowances but if you have something specific in mind - don't keep it a secret! And yes, Barbara - no is a word I hear a lot!
Speaking 'builderese'! A long running joke amongst the admin in our office. You've raised some great points that potential renovation or new home clients should be discussing with their builder before they sign anything. Sharing this for sure.