Your guide to building a better home (PDF, 6.7M - Upper Hutt City ...

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Building Overview BRACE YOURSELF! CHANCES ARE IT WILL TAKE LONGER THAN YOUR BUILDER ESTIMATES AND LONGER THAN YOU THINK. PREPARE FOR DELAYS, FRUSTRATIONS AND MINOR IRRITATIONS. HOPEFULLY, THAT’S ALL YOU’LL HAVE... The length of the project will be affected by availability of the builder and sub-contractors. Also, weather and sometimes availability of materials specified can cause delays. Understand and accept that this will happen and you will reduce stress levels in all parties, however, regular followups and meetings with builders and sub-contractors can ensure work progresses as quickly as possible and problems can be identified early on. A good relationship with your builder can be the difference between work going smoothly or otherwise. Ensure lines of communication are regular, clear and courteous. Disputes can be dealt with through discussion first, arbitration and mediation second, legally as a tragic fallback position. Bring problems to the builder straight away. It’s far better and easier to replace and fix things now while building is still going on, than wait until the house is finished before pointing it out. Don’t be bullied by the builder or architect. If something is not right, remember - you are the one that has to live with it and it’s amazing how small things over time become big things (remember acorns). Speak to the project manager (builder or architect or contracted PM) first and let them deal with any problems. It is part of their job and you are paying them for it. This workbook allows you to diarise conversations and decisions in the supplied notes pages following so you can refer to them later, and remember to take photographs, especially of work you’re not happy with. MANAGING YOUR BUDGET Make sure you keep a close eye on your spending as work progresses. Much of the costs will have been covered in assorted quotes from suppliers and your building team, but you may well find that as you progress, you will be making decisions on a daily basis that will have an impact on the costs. Changing the location of windows, extending eaves, changing a selected material – and that’s even before you get into buying things like door furniture (not couches for your doors – door handles!). Try to keep on top of your spend and match it against your estimated costings already done before you start (you DID prepare a budget already, didn’t you?). Use our workbook budget pages or go to our website to find a Build-Your-Budget and Tracking-Your-Budget pages so you can keep on top of things as you go. SAFETY ON THE BUILDING SITE Under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, you become a ‘principal’ (unless you’re living in the house while the work is going on). As a principal it’s also up to you to ensure that people working on the site don’t get hurt, which means you also must identify hazards and remove them, isolate them, or minimize them as much as possible if the first two options are not open to you. OWNER’S CHECKS Building projects are a substantial investment of your time and money. If you are managing the project, you have to keep a close eye on the quality of the work and pick up problems quickly. For example, if the wrong window framing is going in, it needs to be sorted before the wall linings go up. Even if you’re not the project manager, IT’S YOUR HOME. Make sure you visit regularly to check on the quality of work and progress. You, the builder or project manager will need to ensure that: ✔Materials are what is ordered and required. ✔Timber is at specified moisture levels on installation. ✔Timber has the correct preservative treatment for its building location ✔The house is set out correctly on the site. ✔Plans and specifications are followed. ✔Materials are installed to manufacturers’ instructions. ✔Finished construction is protected from the weather. STORAGE OF MATERIALS While the storage of building of materials is not necessarily your responsibility, let’s face it, they’re being used in the building of your home – surely you want to make sure they’re in the best condition on installation? Materials can be affected by handling and storage. Timber left uncovered can get wet and damp timber used for framing is not good. So keep an eye on your builders and subbies to make sure that materials are protected from the weather, stored correctly – not on bare ground or uneven surfaces, handled properly and not damaged. Also note that you must have clear title (e.g. receipts) to materials stored off site and insurance coverage in case of theft or your builder going into liquidation. This is where cameras can play a valuable role – document problems immediately, discuss with the builder straight away and retain photos in case of further issues. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: The building work to be done will have been set out on the plans accurately, however, boundary pegs get moved accidentally (and sometimes deliberately) so make sure the house is set out correctly before building commences. NZBG 25
Construction ctive Promotions Ltd uri Crescent, Greenlane Site/Structure And so it starts. Following is an outline of each stage of the construction process itself – what to look for at each stage and spaces for notes. We start from the ground up – because that’s how building usually goes. Bear in mind these notes are not comprehensive and make sure you check with the various industry RGENT bodies’ websites for more information or to get someone to check with if you have concerns FAX – you’ll find links on the Building Guide website. You don’t necessarily need to fully supervise each and every one of the following steps – after all, that’s what the formal inspection process is for – but they’re there to provide you with a guide along the way and checklists as you go… HEALTH & SAFETY SITE PLAN ORDER OF CONSTRUCTION EARTHMOVING AND EXCAVATION If you’re building, site leveling beforehand can be an excellent way of making the full use of your property – making space for entertaining areas, kid’s play areas or parking. ● Is the hole for excavation staked out correctly? ● Are the walls vertical and even? ● Has it gone to the correct depth? ● Are all cut earth faces supported and ‘cut in’ – especially important where this can impact on neighbouring properties? N.Z. Building Business Guide Site Plan Protection Folders This needs to include: The usual order of construction is: ● x 99 813 The person responsible for health 1 Correct set out of the building safety on site. 2 Excavate the section and lay the arket, Auckland RETAINING WALLS ● Identification and control of foundations email: bill@buildingguide.co.nz Excavation work inevitably means retaining potential hazards. 3 Pour concrete floors walls. Depending on the location of the ● Posting of notices and warnings of 4 Construct the framing FROM: Bill Cutting DATE: wall, its height and whether it’s to create potential hazards. 2006 5 Put the roof on a retaining wall in a highly visible location, ● Restriction of access to the site to 6 Mount the windows ILE: NO. OF PAGES: there are different materials you can use: authorised people only. 7 Put on the exterior cladding precast concrete, concrete block and timber ● Guidance on ensuring a safe 8 Organise plumbing and wiring TION: FACSIMILE: are 09 the 529 most 0916 common but there are plenty working environment at all times, 9 Fit insulation of alternatives. for example, avoiding stacking 10 Put in the doors TELEPHONE: 09 529 0919 ● Consider the style and feel you’re after, or, things that could topple over. 11 Install cabinets and interior lining JOB NO: if the wall is not in a public area, whether ● Instruction in safe methods and 12 Tile floors and walls this matters at all. practices. 13 Carry out final plumbing and ● Remember, retaining walls must be ● Provision for safety meetings. electrical work included in the building consent and eater Wellington ● Safety audits on Edition plant and of the Building 14 Paint the house Business and complete Guide any signed off. Please check procedures. your advertisement thoroughly and return finishing by work fax to us today. As the publication ● Is the ground is supported during ● The due recording at the printers and investigation shortly, your of prompt 15 Lay attention the floor coverings. would be appreciated. construction (only if necessary) accidents. ● Are the materials consistent with the look Courtesy of Consumerbuild.co.nz and feel of the design you want to achieve? ● Ensure the wall is drained behind and waterproofed/tanked (if waterproofing is necessary). • Deep Foundation Specialists • Auger Drilling • Pile Driving • Excavations • Wellington 04 577 3380 – Contact John 0274 427 160 • Kapiti 04 297 3049 – Contact Nigel 0275 443 917 • Wairarapa 06 377 0645 – Contact Nigel 0275 443 917 26 NZBG DRAINAGE AND UNDERGROUND PLUMBING While not the most exciting of items in the construction process, good drainage is absolutely essential to the long term integrity of your home. ● Are the pipes in the correct position, e.g. are they located where you may want to put paths or gardens? ● Are the drain holes or pipe vents in locations that will interfere with future use of the grounds, e.g. are they where you want to put paths or entertaining areas? ● Are the vents in the right position? ● Will the drains carry sufficient water? ● Does your drainage system meet with the building code – e.g. do you need retaining tanks. TANKS, SEPTIC TANKS AND PUMPS There are specific rules governing the placement and installation of septic tanks. Some Councils are also requiring the installation of retention tanks to slow down the release of storm water into municipal drains that are in need of replacement. This is also where you may wish to consider recycling water. Grey water can be used in the garden and to clean cars. It costs additional money but if you’re environmentally friendly or if you’re in a location that suffers from regular drought, then it is definitely worth exploring.
Page 1: www.buildingguide.co.nz GREATER WEL
Page 4 and 5: Inside the Building Guide YOUR LOCA
Page 6 and 7: Kapiti Coast District Council The K
Page 8 and 9: SECURIMAX LIMITED Future Proof your
Page 10 and 11: SCHEDULE 1: EXEMPT WORK This includ
Page 12 and 13: Your Notes LAND INFORMATION MEMORAN
Page 14 and 15: BUILDING CONSENT LEVIES The followi
Page 16 and 17: Resource Consents Resource consent
Page 18 and 19: Legal requirements COMPLIANCE WITH
Page 20 and 21: or more?), views to take advantage
Page 22 and 23: Don’t mind your step Flat Surface
Page 26 and 27: CONCRETE SLABS/FLOORING The concret
Page 28 and 29: FACSIMILE: ATTENTION: Dedications L
Page 30 and 31: ELECTRICAL You’ll be surprised at
Page 32 and 33: Interior/Finishes LIGHTING There ar
Page 34 and 35: area so carefully consider the desi
Page 36 and 37: URGENT LAUNDRY Your Notes FAX Every
Page 38 and 39: Wrapping Up FINISHING: FINAL INSPEC
Page 40 and 41: Advertisers Index 2 Gerard Roofing

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