Construction - Part 3 Lock Up to Practical Completion
Now the roof is on, it’s time to commence the internal works.
Internal works include plastering the walls and installing the ceiling. The plasterers will start by applying the grey render, known as the ‘float coat’, to the brickwork. Once the ‘float coat’ has cured the white plaster, known as the ‘set coat’, will then be applied, when this has had time to cure your walls will be smooth and ready for painting! Ceilings and cornices throughout your home will be installed followed by the ceiling fixers, your internal work is then complete!
The external plastering will also be completed at this stage. In the winter months plastering may take longer to complete to ensure enough time has been allowed for it to adequately cure.
During this time the windows and external doors will be delivered to site and installed, bringing your home to the ‘Lockup Stage’.
At this stage there will be a lot of different trades and suppliers in and out of your home installing all the finishing items.
Internally, the fixing carpenter will come in and install shelving, doors and the kitchen and bathroom cabinetry. Plumbing and electrical fixtures will be installed, and the waterproofing, ceramic tiling and painting will be completed. Whilst externally the garage hardstand will be poured, the termite treatment and external paving will be completed, and the garage door will be installed. Your home will transform right before your eyes! Anything else that you have included in your contract, such as floor coverings, window treatments and air-conditioning, will also be completed at this time.
During this stage your Site Manager will contact you to organise a progress meeting. This is such an exciting time in your building journey as it’s the first time you will see your new kitchen and bathrooms emerging with all the finishes you choose!
Once everything has been installed, your Site Supervisor will organise for an internal house clean and a final site clean.
Your home has reached ‘Practical Completion’! You are in the final stages of the construction process, it is now time for your Site Manager to contact you and organise a ‘New Home Presentation’ meeting. During this meeting your Site Manager will walk you through your home, demonstrating how to maintain and care for the products and appliances, e.g. hot water unit, taps, kitchen appliances, etc. Following your New Home Presentation meeting, your Site Manager may require up to 10 days to rectify any minor defects or items that are picked up during the inspection in preparation for Key Handover.
FAQs
Structural Beams are often placed on a solid brick or structural grade timber offcut. The purpose of this ‘packer’ is to ensure that the Structural Beam does not interfere with the ceiling joints below.
The ‘packer’ must be a non-compressible material to allow the Structural Beam load to be transferred to the loadbearing wall below. Additionally, the Structural Beam is held in place by multiple lateral roof members (hangers) ensuring lateral movement is not possible.
Yes, all roof tiles are checked at the end of construction and any damaged tiles are replaced as required prior to handover.