Plain English
The building glossary.
Every industry term you'll meet on your journey — translated into plain English.
- Alfresco
- A covered or defined outdoor living area connected to the home, commonly positioned beside the main living or dining space.
- Building Contract
- The legal agreement setting out the scope, price, responsibilities, terms and conditions for the building work. Read it carefully and obtain appropriate advice before signing.
- Building Permit
- An approval required before certain building work can begin, confirming that proposed work meets relevant building requirements. The exact process varies by project and jurisdiction.
- Easement
- A legal right affecting part of a property, often allowing access for drainage, utilities or other infrastructure. Easements can restrict where structures may be placed.
- Facade
- The exterior street-facing design or architectural treatment of a home.
- Floorplan
- A scaled layout showing the arrangement and relationship of rooms, walls, doors and other spaces within a home.
- Frontage
- The width of a block along the street boundary. Frontage can influence which home designs will fit while meeting required setbacks.
- Handover
- The stage near the end of the project when the completed home is formally transferred to the owner after required checks and documentation.
- Inclusions
- Items, finishes, fixtures or features included within a particular building specification, proposal or package.
- Lot
- A legally defined parcel of land, often identified by a lot number within a subdivision or estate.
- Minimum Lot Width
- An indicative minimum block width generally required for a design. Actual suitability also depends on setbacks, easements, site conditions and planning requirements.
- Orientation
- The direction a home, block or room faces in relation to north and the path of the sun. Orientation can influence natural light, shading and comfort.
- Planning Permit
- A planning approval that may be required for certain land uses or developments. Whether it is needed depends on the site, proposal and local planning controls.
- Setback
- The minimum required distance between a building and a property boundary, street or other defined feature.
- Site Costs
- Costs associated with preparing and adapting construction to the specific block, which can be influenced by soil, slope, access, services and other site conditions.
- Site Survey
- A survey that records relevant site information such as boundaries, levels and features to support planning and design work.
- Soil Test
- An investigation of ground conditions used to help determine suitable footing or slab requirements for a proposed building.
- Variation
- An agreed change to the contracted scope, design, specification or work after the original agreement, usually documented in writing.
- Virtual Tour
- An interactive digital experience that allows users to explore a home or display space online.
- Zoning
- Planning controls that identify how land may be used and developed. Zoning requirements are set by relevant planning authorities.
Still Jargon-Free
Our consultants speak human too.
Ask anything — there are no silly questions in a first build.
Book a Consultation