First 10-year defects insurance policy accepted in NSW: what apartment developers and builders need to know
The reforms that make 10-year defects insurance workable in NSW commenced on 20 August, and Building Commission NSW now lists a first policy in an acceptable form. How DLI works, and what it means for developers, builders and owners.
6 min read
The PointCPD blog
Building industry news and articles
What is changing in Australian building, and what it means on site: construction technology, materials, energy, regulation, safety, contracts and the housing market.
First 10-year defects insurance policy accepted in NSW: what apartment developers and builders need to know
The reforms that make 10-year defects insurance workable in NSW commenced on 20 August, and Building Commission NSW now lists a first policy in an acceptable form. How DLI works, and what it means for developers, builders and owners.
6 min read
Managing plant and equipment around the public on tight suburban sites
On a suburban infill site the public is often a metre from the tracks. Separation is a design problem you solve before the machine arrives, not a barrier you throw up after.
12 min read
Cool roofs and heat-resilient homes: colour, insulation, ventilation and shade
Heatwaves are Australia’s deadliest natural hazard, and homes that trap heat put occupants at risk and push up cooling bills. The roof is where most summer heat gets in. Here is how to build homes that stay cooler.
7 min read
Statutory warranties in NSW: six years, two years, and what counts as a major defect
Every NSW residential building contract carries statutory warranties that cannot be contracted out of. What they promise, how long they last, what counts as a major defect, and how builders should handle defect claims.
7 min read
Setting up site sorting that works: a logistics guide for NSW builders
Sorting construction waste is a logistics problem before it is an environmental one. If the bin is further away than the tip truck, the material goes in the general waste.
12 min read
Smart home wiring in new builds: data cabling, Wi-Fi, conduits and what clients actually use
Clients expect fast internet in every room, smart lighting and energy controls, and a house ready for whatever comes next. The cheapest time to deliver that is before the plasterboard goes on. Here is what to plan.
8 min read
GDP grows 0.4% as dwelling investment rises and fuel costs push up construction prices
The June quarter national accounts show the economy growing slowly, dwelling investment picking up, and construction among the industries hit hardest by higher fuel and input costs from the Middle East conflict.
6 min read
What happens when a complaint is made against you in NSW
A complaint about defects and a complaint about your conduct can arrive from the same household and travel down two very different tracks. One is about fixing the work. The other is about whether you keep your licence.
11 min read
CCEWs for like-for-like swaps: Building Commission NSW clarifies when electricians must certify
A new advisory note from Building Commission NSW confirms that swapping a hot water system, oven, cooktop or power point like-for-like still needs a certificate of compliance for electrical work, lodged within 7 days of finishing.
6 min read
Insulation for houses: batts, boards and foils, and the gaps that ruin them
Insulation is only as good as its installation. A small percentage of gaps can cut a wall’s performance far more than builders expect. The main insulation types, how they work, and the site details that decide whether the energy rating is real.
7 min read
Site administration: the records that protect a builder when a job turns
Most builders do not lose disputes because they were wrong. They lose because they cannot prove they were right. Site administration is the discipline of creating that proof while the work is happening.
11 min read
Approvals fall 3.6% in July, with house approvals down in every state
Australia approved 17,687 new dwellings in July, down 3.6% on June. Private house approvals fell in every state for which data was published, and NSW total approvals dropped 8.1%. Annual growth remains positive.
6 min read
Heat on site: getting a heat plan ready before summer
Spring is the time to plan for summer heat. Heat illness can kill, and roofs, roof spaces and unshaded slabs are among the hottest workplaces in the country. A practical heat plan for residential sites.
7 min read
Free site templates for builders
SWMS, JSA, Take 5, inspection checklists, site diary, variations and payment claims. Word and PDF, free for commercial use.