Home Truths: A-Z of building & buying

An architrave is an internal moulding installed around the window and door.

Windows that are hinged at the top and open outward from the bottom with a crank or handle.

A structure that supports an inset bath.

Refers to the ‘angle’ of dirt where excavation has been undertaken, but a retaining wall has not been installed. These are used where there is sufficient ‘space’ on the property to slope the dirt back to normal ground level. 

An essential part of your basin plumbing, the bottle trap is attached to the waste plug under the sink and keeps your bathroom safe from bacteria by preventing sewer gases from entering your home through the sink drain. This plumbing may be exposed in areas like your powder room if you don’t have cabinetry. 

These pegs identify the legal boundaries of your property (according to your title). 

Exterior masonry cladding that’s tied back to a timber or steel wall frame.

A defined area on your property where you're allowed to build your house. It's determined by local council regulations and factors like setbacks, easements, and lot size. 

Measures the severity of your building’s potential exposure to ember attacks, radiant heat, and direct flame contact.  If your home is built in a bushfire-prone area, it will be governed under the ‘Australian Standard AS 3959-2018 Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone Areas’ standard. There are six BALs measured in increments of radiant heat and expressed in kilowatts/m2. The lowest is ‘BAL – Low’, where there is minimal risk to warrant specific construction requirements, while the highest is ‘BAL – FZ’, where your property is considered to have the risk of direct exposure to flames. 

A dedicated walk-in space within a home, within the confines of a kitchen, used to store food and appliances. 

This is a piece of foam that sits under the carpet to make it feel extra soft and spongy.

A sliding door that slides into a hollowed-out section of a wall, or cavity, instead of swinging open like a hinged door. 

Ceramic tiles have cushioned edges which can sometimes create the look of a slightly wider grout line.  

A legal document that establishes ownership of a property or piece of land. It's also known as a title deed or land title. 

A lightweight material made from cement sheeting or timber and is used on a building’s exterior. 

A visual representation of a proposed design, shown in realistic colours and materials. It’s commonly used in architecture and design to illustrate what a building, space, or product will look like when completed. This helps clients visualise the outcome before construction or production completes.

A brand-new house that's ready for you to move into. Unlike building a custom home, you don't need to choose all the finishes and fittings. We've already done the hard work for you! These homes are usually ready within 3-6 months after we list them for sale and might also be known as an established or Ready Built home. 

Also known as a CDC, this is fast-tracked building approval that combines planning and construction approval into one. It’s issued by a private certifier or council if the build meets specific NSW planning rules. 

Indicates the changing levels on the land, usually shown in increments of 200mm.

Also known as a detail and level survey, this is a geographical representation of your land, showing the degree of slope on a site. 

This is a legally binding agreement, and we recommend that you read it thoroughly and ask us any questions before signing. Always be wary of builders that offer fast ways to sign a contract or companies asking you to sign a contract before you have all the costs. 

Contract exchange is when both the buyer and seller sign and swap identical copies of the sale contract. This makes the property sale legally binding. 

A cornice is a decorative plaster moulding that sits between the wall and the roof.

Where land slopes significantly, it’s cut and filled. Soil is moved from one part of the land to another to provide a level building platform. This is usually done to minimise the landfall and/or size of excavation.

A socket in your home that allows you to connect your devices to the internet or other networks via Ethernet cables.

To kickstart your home build journey, you must prove to your developer that you abide by the guidelines for building in the estate or development. This approval process is different for every estate, so find out exactly what your developer requires. Approvals typically require submitting all your site construction plans, including floorplans, landscaping, fencing, elevations, materials, colours, and more.

Similar to a covenant, but not as restrictive, these are rules that are put in place by the developer of your estate. You’ll need to abide by the established guidelines when building in an estate or new development. These rules are in place to ensure that the design and environment in the community is balanced, aesthetically attractive, and safe for all residents.

All Developers hold their own set of requirements/ standards that can affect the build of your home, including some of the following:

• Building envelopes and setbacks
• The size of the dwelling
• The amount of cut and fill
• Refers to the removal and replacement of volumes of material (like soil) to create the ideal terrain for a building.
• The energy rating of the dwelling
• Evaluates the energy efficiency in a building. It’s also a government requirement.
• Types of materials used (such as brick, render, timber, cladding or metal sheeting)
• External colours
• Articulation
• The method of stylising and connecting the joining parts of a building by using techniques such as stepping and recessing.
• Ceiling heights
• Roof pitches
• The steepness/angle of your roof.
• Façade style
• The front appearance of the home that faces the street.
• The location of ancillary structures (clotheslines, air con unit, bins, etc.)
• Landscaping
• The process of modifying the garden or land to make it visually more attractive.
• Fencing
• Location and size and material of the driveway
• Location and size of external living areas
• Privacy control Similar to a covenant, but not as restrictive, these are rules that are put in place by the developer of your estate. You’ll need to abide by the established guidelines when building in an estate or new development. These rules are in place to ensure that the design and environment in the community is balanced, aesthetically attractive, and safe for all residents.
• All Developers hold their own set of requirements/ standards that can affect the build of your home, including some of the following:
• Building envelopes and setbacks
• The size of the dwelling
• The amount of cut and fill
• Refers to the removal and replacement of volumes of material (like soil) to create the ideal terrain for a building.
• The energy rating of the dwelling
• Evaluates the energy efficiency in a building. It’s also a government requirement.
• Types of materials used (such as brick, render, timber, cladding or metal sheeting)
• External colours
• Articulation
• The method of stylising and connecting the joining parts of a building by using techniques such as stepping and recessing.
• Ceiling heights
• Roof pitches
• The steepness/angle of your roof.
• Façade style
• The front appearance of the home that faces the street.
• The location of ancillary structures (clotheslines, air con unit, bins, etc.)
• Landscaping
• The process of modifying the garden or land to make it visually more attractive.
• Fencing
• Location and size and material of the driveway
• Location and size of external living areas
• Privacy control

A recessed ceiling mounted light fitting that directs a concentrated beam of light downwards. They might also be known as recessed lights or pot lights.  

A legal right that allows someone other than the landowner to use a portion of the land for a specific purpose. Easements can be granted for many reasons, including access for utilities like water, gas, or electricity; drainage and sewerage, or; access roads. You’ll need to get approval before constructing anything over an easement.

Items found on an easement that may need to be accessed by a third party. Examples might include sewer pipes laid underneath the land by the local water authority or an overhead electricity transmission line.

An electrical pit is a structure underground that contains electrical cables, and it’s where electricity is supplied to. The pit is usually located in the footpath at the front of a property’s boundary.

A measure of the energy-efficiency of your home. It considers factors like insulation, window size, and orientation and helps you understand how much energy your home will use. An energy assessment report is required in the application for a Building Permit, and a report is provided to you on the completion of your home build.

A wet area immediately adjoining a bedroom. 

A fan that vents out unwanted odours, moisture, and other contaminants that may be present in the air. Generally used in bathrooms. 

The exterior front side of your home and made up of key architectural elements like windows, doors, roofing, cladding, and decorative features. A facade is a vital part of a home's design and can help define the interior layout, design, and decor.

This can also be referred to as ‘site fall’. It’s land that’s not flat, which ‘falls’ or slopes away in a particular direction.

A long, straight board that runs along the lower edge of a roof used to support rain gutters. 

The height at which a house's floor is intended to be built, marked against the surveyed height. 

Fixtures are items that are permanently attached to a house, while fittings are items that are not attached to the house or are only attached by a screw or nail. Some examples of fixtures are built-in cabinetry, plumbing fixtures, integrated appliances and fitted carpets while examples of fittings are curtain rails, blinds and shelving. 

Pieces of sheet metal or similar to cover and protect joints. Flashing acts as a barrier to keep water out of a building and is typically used at joints where surfaces meet, such as around windows, doors, gutters and walls.  

A visual representation of how different materials, finishes, and elements will look together in a space. Your interior designer will set up samples of all your selections in a beautifully crafted way, giving you the perfect opportunity to take a photo of the colour selections and textures of your new home. 

A technical drawing to scale that shows the home’s layout with a view from the top. 

Formal (or unconditional) loan approval means your lender has fully approved your home loan after reviewing your financial documents and the property details.

Another word for glass. Simply means the windows in your home, including both openable and fixed windows, as well as doors with glass and skylights. 

Grout is the cement joint between every tile. This can be blended to match or contrasted to create a feature.

Also known as Home Building Compensation Cover, this insurance protects you if your builder disappears or becomes insolvent, and there’s incomplete or defective work.

Refers to the statutory warranties that protect your home after completion. In NSW, this includes cover for major defects for six years and other defects for two years. 

Products and/or fittings that are included in the base or advertised list price of a new home.

Independent building inspections are checks done by a third-party inspector to ensure your home is built correctly. While these can be helpful, we have a strict quality assurance process in place to guarantee your home meets the highest standards, which eliminates the need for hiring an independent third-party inspector (a costly out-of-pocket expense). Our team conducts multiple inspections throughout the building process, including pre-slab, post-slab, frame, lock-up, pre-paint, and completion. This, combined with statutory inspections by building surveyors and engineers, means you can have peace of mind knowing your home is built to the highest standards. 

Your initial deposit holds the property while you sign the contract. The cooling-off period (usually five business days in NSW) gives you time to exit the contract - though a small fee may apply.  

Used to regulate the internal temperature and reduce the need for heating and cooling. It does this by acting as a barrier to heat flow, reducing the amount of heat that passes through building materials like glass, metal, brick, and plasterboard. 

An electrical enclosure that houses a wiring connection for lighting or power.

A written legal document, contract/agreement, is used to purchase land, whether the land is vacant or occupied by existing buildings or homes.

We recognise some new homes may require small adjustments as they settle into their site.  Our 12-month extended maintenance check ensures your home is monitored through all four seasons, identifying and addressing any potential defects before they become a problem. 

A box that encloses all parts of your electrical system, including the switchboard, main switch, fuse box, and safety switches.   

This is a mixture of sand and cement that bonds bricks together.

This is the network of cables that connects you to the internet via a modem. NBN availability is subject to site location.

The national set of technical design and construction requirements for buildings in Australia.  It sets minimum standards for the safety, health, amenity, accessibility, and sustainability of buildings and also includes requirements for plumbing, electrical and drainage. 

This document confirms that a building is suitable for occupation and use and complies with building laws, regulations and approved plans. It’s provided by a registered building surveyor and is a legal necessity as part of the Building Act 1993 before you make your final payment.  

This is the network of cables that connects you to the internet via a modem. Opticomm availability is subject to site location.

PEXA is Australia’s online settlement platform where property transactions (like buying a home) are completed electronically between banks, buyers, sellers, and solicitors.

PCI stands for Practical Completion Inspection and is a walkthrough of your nearly finished home, where you check for defects or incomplete work before final settlement.  

A room that has a toilet and a basin.

An outlet used to supply power to your electronics.

We offer a price guarantee to provide peace of mind for customers during the home building process. This guarantee ensures that the price of your new home remains locked in for a specific period after you sign the contract. This means that even if building costs rise, you'll be protected from any increases. Our future price guarantee means if our prices come down before your building permit is issued, you’ll get our best price. Please note that certain conditions may apply, such as meeting specific timelines and requirements. See our website for full terms and conditions. 

This is a plastic downpipe that is painted in the colour of your choice.

Also referred to as QA, this is a process used by builders to check that construction work meets design standards, safety codes, and workmanship expectations - before you move in.

A structure built to hold back soil and prevent it from sliding or eroding. They're often made of materials such as concrete, brick, or timber, and can be integrated into other structures like garage walls or fences. 

The minimum distances your building must be from property boundaries. These distances are set by local council regulations, property covenants, or developer rules to ensure proper spacing and safety. 

Normal residential power is a single phase where the flow of electricity to your home is through a single conductor. Edgewater Homes all come with single phase power. Three-phase power (the flow of electricity to your home through three separate conductors) is required where there might be an extra load or demand placed on power such as solar panels. 

When building a new home, site inspections will occur at various stages of the building journey. These may be done by a building surveyor or engineer (depending on what’s set out in the building permit) and ensures the build adheres to all industry regulations and requirements. Different builders have varying inspections, so it’s a good idea to confirm with your builder at what stages they’ll provide site inspections. It’s important to note that no personal inspections are possible on-site during construction and would only ever be coordinated with your sales consultant when the site is safe. 

An internal moulding that runs along the border between the interior wall and the floor. We install skirting before flooring, unless otherwise advised. 

Describes the type or strength required for a slab foundation and based on engineers’ recommendations from the soil report. 

The protective panel behind the sink or cooker that protects the wall against splashing. 

A structural warranty protects against major structural issues - like foundations, frames, and roofs - for up to six years after completion, as required by law in NSW. 

In some municipalities, the entire building site (property) must be fenced during construction. Temporary fencing is an OH&S requirement as well as a requirement for insurance purposes. 

Kitchen or bathroom sink that sits under the stone bench top. This style can only be achieved with a stone bench and not laminate. 

Another name for a toilet.

A spacious closet that you can walk into and designed to store linens, towels, and other household items. 

A large closet that you can walk into and designed to store clothes, shoes, and accessories. 

A zero boundary means one wall of your home is built right on the edge of the property line, with no setback. It’s often used to maximise space on smaller blocks.