2MTR – Door Hinges Part 2

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Continuing on from our last 2-Minute Tuesday Rant (2MTR) on door hinges, this video goes into further details regarding the implications and intricacies of works involved with a door hinge.

In this video, I share one of the little detail that give away whether ‘care’ has been taken on the building project. Whilst it is not something ‘major’ that could cause a major defect for the project, it does affect the final quality of finish on the door.

As with most construction works, the simple installation of a door hinge can have consequences on other trades involved For example, if the door was left installed when the painter comes in to complete their painting works, it is inevitable that there will be paint marks over the door hinge itself. Whilst this may not seem like a big deal, the reality of a painted door hinge is that usually the paint selected is not one that will bond with the metal hinge. This results in the eventual dried paint from chipping over time and flaking off the hinge.

In the long term, it may also lead to rusting in the door hinge itself. As mentioned before, the small details in the project matter and should always be considered as it will impact the final result of the project.

If you missed the Part 1 of this topic, click the link below:

Tip 3 Budget

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It is a word that is often taboo to speak of when meeting with Clients and Architects. But it’s the elephant in the room that needs to be addressed. That word is BUDGET.

Some people like to dance around this word and avoid mentioning it until literally the last moment when they submit their quote. When that occurs, more often than not, the figure is met with a knee-jerk reaction. Usually it’s a response of ‘Oh wow! That’s outside of my budget’. So why not just address this upfront? Why not just have an honest and open discussion regarding the budget and the numbers upfront? I’ve witnessed so many shocking construction projects and been told so many horror stories, all of which usually stem from having an unrealistic budget to begin with.

If you’re an Architect reading this, I encourage you to have this open discussion with the Client. Early #Builder involvement helps not only to provide the Client with cost estimates, but more importantly in identifying construction solution/s which are project-specific. At the very least, we encourage you to a Quantity Surveyor in order to obtain a BOQ which most banks will require in order for the Client to obtain funding.

Tip 6 Doing your Own Due Diligence

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Do your own due diligence and conduct your own research.

Thankfully, we now live in the information age and with most information readily available to us via the internet. You can un-earth a company’s background and history quite easily by conducting your own research in the company’s staff. Additionally, it takes literally seconds to check the validity of a Builder’s builder license and whether the HBCF insurance policy is valid and legitimate.

I still recall the time I heard the story about a project being put on limbo when the project was close to completion because the PCA had gone through their checklist and realized that the HBCF policy provided by the Builder was photoshopped. It baffled me that no one had bothered to double-check on the paperwork until the very end of the project, by which all construction work had already been completed.

Makes you wonder how many illegal jobsites there are out there up and running in the residential home sector. So I urge you to do some background research and cross-checking of your own upfront for your project.

Don’t risk being caught out.

2MTR – Gantt Chart

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Importance of proper planning. It could be as simple as starting with a Gantt chart or a simple timeline. It’s one of those things that people tend to overlook when they are in a rush to get things done. The other day I had a conversation with a friend that is an architect regarding a project they were working on. What was meant to be a 12-week documentation process for this development project got cut short down to just 6 weeks.

The reason for the reduced timeframe was because the builder wanted the drawings done sooner so that they could send it out for subcontractors to provide pricing on the project. Putting aside the impossible task of rushing out all the documentation in time given the short notice, what worries me is the accuracy of the pricing the builder will receive from their subcontractors given that the drawings will most likely need to be further refined and changed for construction.

This opens the doors for variations to be claimed by the subcontractors, then by the builder, which will impact the client’s over budget for the project. Had the builder mapped out when they needed the quotes in from their trades, they could have reverse-engineered the timeline to provide the architect with more time. Instead, this will now result in the architect needed to reallocate resources (no doubt also pulling a lot of all-nighters) and result in the tender documentation being partially finalised since it would be possible for the service consultants to provide feedback.

So ask yourself, would you rather put your project at risk of having variations? Or would you rather be a bit patient and do the correct timing in advance so that you can identify these critical tasks upfront to allow for sufficient time for tasks to be completed correctly?

Plan it out properly, do it right and do it once.

2MTR – Electrical Safety on Site

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Construction workers in New South Wales are being urged to take extra precautions when it comes to electrical safety. SafeWork New South Wales has launched a crackdown on construction sites, and electrical safety inspectors will be conducting inspections from now until June 2023. This move comes in response to the high number of electrical safety incidents reported in 2020, which resulted in 584 injuries and 3 fatalities.

To avoid fines and ensure the safety of workers on construction sites, it is recommended that construction companies and workers follow certain guidelines. SafeWork NSW provides a range of free electrical safety guides that can be downloaded and implemented on job sites. Some basic tips include disconnecting unused electrical equipment, getting rid of any damaged or faulty wiring or cabling, and using electrical tag registers to keep track of equipment inspections and tests. Additionally, the use of residual current devices (RCDs) and safety switches can help prevent accidents and save lives.

At Magico Constructions, we take health and safety very seriously and welcome this new emphasis on electrical safety on construction sites. We believe that it is our responsibility to ensure that all workers on site make it home safely at the end of every workday. We urge all construction workers to be aware of the new regulations and take steps to comply with them. By following these guidelines and tips, we can ensure that all workers on construction sites are protected and that accidents are prevented.

NCC Update

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The new National Construction Code (NCC) is expected to be released on the 1st of October this year. Within the revised code there contains several changes not only related to the layout of the NCC but also the new guidelines and standards for construction.

One of the big changes of the NCC is the introduction of the livable housing scheme. The new revision involves mandatory guidelines for all construction projects to take into consideration for potential future use of the building when it comes to adaptable living. (This includes making provisions to ensure wheelchair accessibility and future installation of grab rails in bathrooms for instance) Another change included in this revision of the NCC involves early childhood center designs.

There are now requirements when designing new childcare centers specifically for younger age toddlers. Other revisions include having a mandatory fall when it comes to any floor waste that is to be installed.

Further details can be found by clicking the link below. Major Changes to NCC https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/news/2022/wha…

2MTR – New Legislation

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New legislation is coming into effect that will affect class 3 and class 9 buildings in New South Wales. Changes are being made to the Design Building Practitioners Act, which will apply to class 3 and class 9C buildings from July 3, 2023. Buildings such as boarding houses, guest houses, hostels, and backpackers that have dormitory-style accommodations, as well as accommodations for children, elderly people, and disabled people, will be affected.

Under the new legislation, people working in the affected space will need to be registered. This is part of the New South Wales government’s commitment to restoring public faith and confidence in the building and construction sector, which has been affected by controversial cases such as Mascot Towers and Opal Towers. While the legislation aims to improve public safety, some small builders and teams are concerned that the additional cost and paperwork requirements may make it difficult for them to compete in the market, leaving only the bigger builders to work on Class 2, 3, and 9C projects.

Overall, it remains to be seen how this legislation will impact the building and construction sector in New South Wales. While it may improve public safety, it could also lead to a potential monopoly for bigger builders and teams, which could limit competition and innovation in the industry.

Tip 1: Choosing the Right Architect for Your Project

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Tip 1/7 of the series on ‘7 Things to Consider Before You Build’.

Tip 1 – Choose the ‘Right’ Architect for your project. For most project, it all begins with a sketch design. It is important to be careful in the selection of the Architect as their sketch design will be used blueprint/bible for the project. Although the costs of engaging an architect is typically higher than that of a draftsman, we strongly believe that it is worth the investment.

Having a well-designed project will not only help add value to the property, but more importantly will help to improve the living experience of the building. Additionally, a well-designed home will help to add value to your home.

Tip 2: Making Sure You Have the Right Amount of Details

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Tip 2/7 of the series on ‘7 Things to Consider Before You Build’.

Make Sure Your Project Has the Right Amount of Details Nothing is more frustrating for a Builder than being given a set of tender documents which contains just the DA-stamped drawings and being expected to provide the Client with a construction cost. Whilst it’s certainly possible to provide a ‘rough estimate’, without finalising the variables all figures you receive are unsubstantiated.

Having accuracy and specifications on the details will not only allow for an easier comparison between quotes, additionally it will help prevent hidden variations that may occur on your projects.

That is why it is crucial to have all the details sorted out first before you start tendering and obtaining quotes for your project.

Tip 4: Know Thy Neighbours

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Tip 4/7 of the series on ‘7 Things to Consider Before You Build’.

KNOW THY NEIGHBOURS This is a factor that many people often factor in too late down in the building process. Before you begin submitting your project to council (for DA approval), you should give your nearby neighbours a heads up and let them know what you are planning on submitting.

Otherwise, you risk the neighbours responding in a bad manner when they suddenly receive a notice letter from council once your project has been submitted. Pre-emptively having this open dialogue with the neighbours can not only help improve the chances of your project obtaining DA-approval, but also help ensure the project run smoothly once a Builder begin construction of the project.

In this video, I share a personal horror story I encountered a few years ago with a shocking neighbour.

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