Building Terms We May Use In Our Reports

the replacement of excavated earth into a excavation around a basement or foundation wall

The vertical members supporting the handrail on a staircase.

A series of balusters in the one flight or along a landing.

a window that projects outward from the walls of the building in either a square or polygonal shape.

a horizontal structural member that supports a load such as a roof.

a sub-floor timber sitting on piers that supports the floor joists in timber framed or brick veneer dwellings.

a point where structural weight is concentrated and transferred to the foundation.

A gutter formed in the shape of a trough. It is formed between a roof surface and a parapet wall or between two roof surfaces.

a dwelling where the walls consist of a layer of brick covering timber framework. The bricks have no structural role

compulsory insurance for builders that is supposed to protect homeowners from faulty work in the case that the builder dies, goes missing or becomes insolvent.

The inspection of the nominated residence together with relevant features including any car accommodation, detached laundry, ablution facilities and garden sheds, retaining walls more than 700 mm high, paths and driveways, steps, fencing, earth, embankments, surface water drainage and storm water run-off within 30 metres of the building, but within the property boundaries. In the case of strata and company title properties, the inspection is limited to the interior and immediate exterior of the nominated residence and does not include inspection of common property.

Means the Building Code of Australia which is volumes 1 and 2, as amended from time to time, of the National Construction Code series published by, or on behalf of, the Australian Building Codes Board.

A person, business or company who is qualified and experienced to undertake a pre-purchase inspection in accordance with Australian Standard AS 4349.1-2007 ‘Inspection of Buildings. Part 1: Pre-Purchase Inspections – Residential Buildings’. The consultant must also meet any Government licensing requirement, where applicable.