BPC/VBA Domestic Builder (Unlimited) Exam key terms

Statutory approval issued by a registered building surveyor allowing construction work to proceed, subject to conditions. Work must not start until the permit is issued and must comply with the approved plans.

Registered professional who assesses building permit applications, inspects work at mandatory notification stages, and issues certificates of occupancy. They enforce compliance with the building regulations independently of the builder.

Certificate issued by the building surveyor confirming completed building work complies with the regulations and permit, making the building suitable for occupation. It is required before a dwelling can legally be lived in.

Defined construction stages at which the builder must notify the building surveyor so inspection can occur before work is covered up. Examples include completion of footings, framing, and waterproofing of wet areas.

Requirements attached to an approved permit that the builder must satisfy, such as staged inspections, engineering design, or protection of adjoining property. Breaching a condition can invalidate the permit and trigger enforcement action.

Written agreement between builder and owner setting out scope, price, progress payments, timeframes, and dispute resolution. Domestic building legislation prescribes mandatory content and cooling-off rights for certain contracts.

Staged payment claimed by the builder as defined stages of work are completed and inspected. Claims must match the contract schedule and be supported by evidence that the stage is finished.

Documented change to the contracted scope, price, or timeframe, agreed in writing before the work is carried out. Undocumented variations are a common source of domestic building disputes.

Allowance in a contract for an item whose exact type or cost is unknown when signing, such as tapware. The owner may pay or receive an adjustment once the actual cost is known.

Allowance for work that cannot be fully priced at contract signing because its extent is uncertain, such as rock excavation. Actual cost replaces the allowance, with adjustments documented as a variation.

Percentage of progress payments withheld by the client to protect against defective or incomplete work, released after practical completion or the defects liability period. Terms must be stated in the contract.

Stage at which the works are complete except for minor omissions and defects, and the building is fit for its intended use. It triggers handover, release of retention, and the defects liability period.

Period after practical completion during which the builder must rectify defects notified by the owner at their own cost. Length and scope are set by the contract and, in some jurisdictions, by statute.

Mandatory policy covering owners for loss if the builder dies, disappears, or becomes insolvent, or fails to rectify defects. It applies to residential work above a threshold value and must be obtained before work starts.

Statutory insurance scheme protecting homeowners against incomplete or defective residential work caused by builder insolvency or non-completion. Builders must arrange cover and provide a certificate before commencing work.

Authority allowing an individual to carry out domestic building work on their own residence without holding a builder registration. Strict eligibility, value limits, and resale disclosure obligations apply.

Total amount payable under the contract, including base contract sum, allowances, and agreed variations. It must be stated clearly and adjusted only through documented variation processes.

Rating of a site's soil and reactivity used to select footing and slab design, ranging from stable class A to highly reactive class P. It is determined by geotechnical investigation before design.

Soil that swells when wet and shrinks when dry, causing ground movement that can damage footings and slabs. Highly reactive sites require deeper or stiffened footing systems and careful drainage detailing.

Structural element that transfers building loads to the ground. Domestic footings include strip, pad, and raft types, sized according to soil classification and loadings from the structure above.

Concrete floor slab poured directly on prepared ground, often thickened at edges and under loadbearing walls. It may be stiffened with beams and reinforcement to resist soil movement.

Impermeable layer placed under a concrete slab to prevent moisture rising from the ground into the building. It must be continuous, lapped, and protected from damage during pouring.

Application of membranes or sealants to wet areas such as bathrooms, laundries, and balconies to prevent water penetration into building elements. It must comply with standards and be inspected before tiling.

System of gutters, downpipes, pits, and pipes that collects roof and surface water and discharges it to a legal point of discharge. Correct falls and connections protect footings from moisture variation.

Structural skeleton of wall, floor, and roof members that supports and shapes the dwelling. Member sizes, spacing, and bracing must follow the relevant framing standard and engineering requirements.

Prefabricated structural frame that supports roof covering and transfers loads to walls. Trusses must be installed to the manufacturer's layout and tied down against wind uplift.

System of structural elements that resists lateral forces such as wind and earthquake, preventing racking of the frame. It may use sheet materials, metal straps, or diagonal timber members.

Force exerted on a building by wind, determined by regional wind speed, terrain, shielding, and building height. It governs tie-down, bracing, and roof cladding fixing requirements.

Mandatory surveyor inspection of the completed structural frame before lining or cladding covers it. It checks member sizes, spacing, tie-down, and bracing against approved documents.

Last surveyor inspection confirming all works, including wet area waterproofing and safety items, comply with the permit. A satisfactory outcome leads to the certificate of occupancy.

Star or numeric rating showing how well a dwelling's thermal shell, glazing, and services limit heating and cooling energy use. Minimum ratings are set by the National Construction Code for new homes.

Performance-based code setting minimum requirements for structure, fire safety, health, amenity, accessibility, and sustainability in Australian buildings. Volume Two covers domestic construction of houses and small buildings.

Compliance pathway using prescribed materials, methods, and details from the code. Following it is accepted as meeting the performance requirements without further analysis.

Compliance pathway demonstrating a building meets performance requirements through alternative design, verified by assessment methods. It requires documented evidence and often expert judgement.

Installation of glass in windows, doors, and skylights, selected for safety, thermal, and acoustic performance. Safety glass is required in defined locations such as doors and low-level panels.

Ability of dense materials such as concrete or brickwork to absorb and store heat, moderating internal temperature swings. It is effective only when coupled with appropriate insulation and shading.

Legal duties to protect workers and others from harm on construction sites, covering hazards, training, and consultation. Domestic builders must prepare safe work method statements for high-risk construction work.

Document identifying high-risk construction tasks, the hazards involved, and the control measures to be applied. It must be prepared before work starts and reviewed when circumstances change.

Leading cause of serious injury in domestic construction, arising from roofs, ladders, scaffolds, and floor edges. Controls include guardrails, fall-arrest systems, and safe ladder practices.

Temporary structure providing a safe working platform at height. It must be erected, altered, and dismantled by competent persons and inspected before use.

Mandatory briefing giving workers and visitors site-specific hazard, emergency, and conduct information before they enter the site. Records of attendance should be kept.

Formal process of delivering the completed dwelling to the owner, including keys, certificates, manuals, and maintenance information. It typically follows practical completion and final payment.

Allowance for materials or fixtures whose exact cost is unknown at contract signing, later adjusted to actual cost. It differs from a provisional sum, which covers uncertain work rather than goods.

Official approval required before construction begins, confirming plans meet regulations. It sets conditions and mandatory inspection stages, and work cannot lawfully start without it.