Glossary & FAQ

Standard inclusions are fixtures and features that are included in the price of your new home. Any of these items can be upgraded to meet your lifestyle and budget. These upgrades can be chosen and ordered at your Design Studio appointment.

Recycled water is mostly used for watering the garden and flushing toilets. It may be available if you are building in an estate but you may need to arrange for it to be connected to your home.

A soil report is a report based on a series of soil samples taken from your block of land. By testing the soil in various locations it enables our engineers to classify your soil type and provide the appropriate footing system for your home

Design Guidelines are often set by the developer of an estate to ensure every home built within the estate has a consistent look and feel. Your design guidelines can affect your façade colour selections and material selection.

When you maintain your block, it means when we have completed the administration stage we will be able to get to the construction phase much sooner. If you do not maintain your block, it could take few weeks for you to remove rubbish, cut grass and get your boundaries identified, all of which could delay the start of your build.

Homeowners may be required to pay a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to support funding of the community facilities required for the residents of a defined area. This applies most commonly to new estates and is governed by the developer of the land and the council in which your block is situated.

These community facilities include local preschools, maternal and child health centres, community halls/multipurpose buildings, and other recreation facilities. Check with your local council to see what CIL you will need to pay.

A feature survey is a detailed report that reflects your boundaries, services, levels, structures and other important details.

An easement is a section of land registered on your property title which gives someone the right to use that land for a specific purpose (such as council access to sewage and storm water pipes.) We cannot build any permanent structures on an easement. Your final slab design may also be affected by any easements on your property or your neighbour’s property.

Essentially, a variation is a request to change an item in your contract that has been agreed to by us in writing. Your contract will specify in detail how variations are to be dealt with.

This means your home does not comply with council guidelines/regulations (RESCODE). If you believe you have a valid reason for not being able to comply, you may request dispensation by applying for ‘report and consent’. Your neighbours are also involved in this stage of the process. We can apply to the council on your behalf, or you may choose to do this yourself.

Double-glazing consists of two glass panels approximately 3-4mm thick with a 10mm gap between them. This is generally used for energy efficiency and noise reduction. This is a good option if you are building on a busy street, especially on the front windows.

Obscure glazed windows are opaque windows you cannot see through. For example, in cases where you have overlooking neighbours you can use this type window to maintain your privacy yet they still allow light into the home.

A ‘site scrape’ is to simply remove the very top layer of the block to make it clean.

An ‘excavation’ is needed when the site is required to be at a certain level and usually consists of a cut and fill method.

A ‘cut and fill’ refers to the process of cutting into the hillside or slope of your site. The material removed from area is then used to ‘fill’ the site to achieve the desired level.

You are more than welcome to attend your site regularly; however, you will need to be accompanied by your site supervisor for safety reasons.

A licensed surveyor is engaged to undertake a re-establishment survey to identify the right boundaries of your land prior to commencement of construction.

Asset protection provides you with cover for any damage done to council assets by your demolition or construction. Each Council has different requirements in relation to obtaining an asset protection permit before commencing works.

Refers to the process of formally recording your registration of rights in land, or land ownership, for example when you purchase new land from a previous owner with the intention to build on it. You will not be able to commence your build until the land is titled.

We offer a 7-year structural guarantee that covers items such as concrete foundations, structural brickwork and structural timbers. It does not cover damage caused by storms or natural disasters.

Our appointments are scheduled Monday - Friday and they commence at 9.00am. The colour selection process can run anywhere from 3 - 6 hours depending on the size of your home and how prepared you are, so we need to ensure that enough time is allowed so that you don’t feel rushed with making your decision. 

All appointments are held at our Design Studio at our Head Office in either Ascot Vale if you are building in Victoria, or Ormeau if you are building in Queensland. 

Small changes may be approved depending on where you are in the process; however they may incur an Administration fee and delay your file progressing to the next stage. We recommend doing as much research as possible prior to your colour appointment to ensure that you are happy with your selection when the appointment has concluded.

the defined points where one person's land ends and the neighbouring lands begin

These refer to the building permits you need to obtain from your surveyor in order to proceed with your new home build

A document issued by your local council or surveyor certifying a building's compliance with building codes and other laws, and indicating it to be in a condition suitable for living in.

A document is issued by a building surveyor, which shows that the building is suitable for occupation. It is not evidence that the building complies with the Building Act or building regulations

A Building Surveyor is a professional who is tasked with understanding the building control process. A Building Surveyor has the authority to assess building plans to ensure that they comply with the Building Code of Australia, the Australian Standards referenced within it and any other relevant Building Acts or other legislation or requirements of the jurisdiction the building is in.

Is your main point of contact throughout the building journey of your new home. They will work in conjunction with the Site Supervisor to answer any questions you may have throughout the build process.  

The CSO is your point of contact after sales accept

Developer approval guidelines are set by the developer of an estate to ensure every home built within the estate has a consistent look and feel. Your developer guidelines can affect your façade colour selections and material selection.

Developer approval guidelines are set by the developer of an estate to ensure every home built within the estate has a consistent look and feel. These can affect your facade colour and material selections.

A downpipe is a pipe that carries rainwater from a gutter to a sub-surface drainage system or ground level. They are part of a roof drainage system.

An easement is a section of land registered on your property title which gives someone the right to use that land for a specific purpose (such as council access to sewage and storm water pipes.) We cannot build any permanent structures on an easement. Your final slab design may also be affected by any easements on your property or your neighbour’s property.

A right held by one person to make use of the land of another. For example, land set aside for drainage and sewerage pipes.  It’s important to know where easements exist as their positioning can impact future building plans such as in-ground pools and building extensions.

Lower edge of a roof which projects beyond the wall as an overhang.

During this stage we begin fixing everything into position, completing all internal plaster, architraves, shelving and skirts, and cabinets and cupboards to your kitchen.

Safety necessities require the construction and use of underground power connections. When the power authority runs its main power connection underground it is called a power pit.

A new home’s energy rating refers to the index of the building’s performance index, such as heating and cooling requirements. The accepted energy rating for most homes is 6 stars.

During this stage we begin fixing everything into position, completing all internal plaster, architraves, shelving and skirts, and cabinets and cupboards to your kitchen.

Fascia – a board fixed horizontally to the lower ends of the rafters, to which guttering is fixed to.

The official process of settling your new home. Settlement day happens on a time and place agreed upon by both parties. Once all documents are signed by both you and Simonds, they are sent off to register you as the new owner of the property.

HIA contracts have been specifically prepared for the residential construction industry to reflect the risks and responsibilities of home building. A contract should apply to every construction project.

A document that legally formalises the purchase, sale, exchange or other conveyance of real estate between parties. The contract must be signed by all parties concerned to be enforceable.

Currently in each state in Australia (except Tasmania), the Government determines the policy terms of Home Warranty insurance, manages its administration and is the sole underwriter. This means when insurance claims arise, the Government pays out the claim to the home owner.

At the Design Studio during your Colour Selection appointment you will select your colours and fixtures with one of our experienced Interior designers to ensure your new home will achieve the look you want to achieve

When you see your colour selections come to life. We paint your home, install tiles, bench tops, shower screens, mirrors, and doors. Plumbing and electrical connections will also be fitted at this stage.

Refers to the process of formally recording your registration of rights in land, or land ownership, for example when you purchase new land from a previous owner with the intention to build on it. You will not be able to commence your build until the land is titled.

The legal point of discharge is a point specified by Council where stormwater from a property must be discharged. This point is usually Council's stormwater drain, where available, or street kerb and channel.

Who will work with you to find the right home for your lifestyle and budget.

They will conduct the preliminary (tender) contract as well as the formal building contract appointment with you.

Pier, in building construction, vertical loadbearing member such as an intermediate support for adjacent ends of two bridge spans. In foundations for large buildings, piers are usually cylindrical concrete shafts, cast in prepared holes, while in bridges they take the form of caissons, which are sunk into position.

QA is primarily about understanding the requirements that must be met to achieve quality, and developing the plan to meet those requirements.

Before the key handover, the normal procedure of a QA is to meet with the QA MANAGER and go around the house noting any items that need correction or adjustment.

The identification of boundaries on a block of land.

Standards set for the construction of new dwellings, alterations and extensions to existing dwellings.

A retaining wall is a structure designed and constructed to resist the lateral pressure of soil, when there is a desired change in ground elevation that exceeds the angle of repose of the soil.

Rough-In means to bring in the various lines (Plumbing pipes, duct work, electrical conduit) to the space, but not make the final connections.

Compaction is the compacting of existing fill on your site and/or fill placed on your site as a result of any cut and fill needed on your site. Cut and fill is the actual process of moving earth from one place to another to make the ground more level. A cut is made when earth is cut from above the desired ground height; a fill is when earth is used to fill a hole to the desired ground level.

A term used to describe how far from the front boundary you have to build your home. 

A building is set out in order to clearly define the outline of the excavation and the centre line of the walls, so that construction can be carried out exactly according to the plan.

It is the process of developing the physical positions of corners and walls of a building, and it's done by transferring dimensions from the layout plan (also called as setting out plan, demarcation plan) to the ground.

The occasion when ownership of a property passes from the vendor to the purchaser and the balance of the purchase price is paid to the vendor.

A loan agreement is a contract between a borrower and a lender which regulates the mutual promises made by each party.

A ‘site clean is to simply remove the very top layer of the block to make it clean.

1. Site infrastructure

These are mandatory items we require in order to commence work on your site. These include but are not limited to; building permit and fees, contour and soil test reports, builder's construction and warranty insurance and temporary security fencing. 

2. Site works

These costs are incurred as a result of actual works needed to prepare your site for construction. Costs can vary and will be determined after various tests are conducted on your site. Cost variations can occur due to:

    A slab upgrade as a result of soil conditions, fall (or slope) and fill

    A requirement for retaining walls

    Additional fill

    Excess soil removal

    Rock removal

    Instalment of services if needed (eg gas, water)

    New estate covenants

Your site costs will be calculated based on the specific attributes of your block.

who will update you weekly on the progress of your home and assist in answering any questions you may have along the way.

The person who plans, organises and controls the whole build project, including completing inspections and supervising the construction team. The construction supervisor is your point of contact on site.

The process of creating a scale drawing of a building site showing easements, fall, service connection points and other pre-existing features.

A soil report is a report based on a series of soil samples taken from your block of land. By testing the soil in various locations it enables our engineers to classify your soil type and provide the appropriate footing system for your home.

A soil report is a report based on a series of soil samples taken from your block of land. Testing the soil allows us to classify your soil type and provide the appropriate footing system, i.e. structures, for your home to minimise any foundation movement or damage to your house.

Steel bars of various sizes and shapes used in concrete construction for giving added strength.  

A frame designs to carry the loads of a roof and its covering over the full span without intermediate support

The Waffle Pod Slab system is an innovative method of constructing concrete slabs, providing enormous strength and durability and significantly reducing building costs.

Material and construction which will prevent water from passing through walls and joints