Building Glossary
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Planning Act - This form of legislation governs the types and locations of building development
Plaster - A soft mixture of lime or sand, gypsum and water which hardens to a smooth solid and is used for smoothing over ceilings and walls
Quote - An estimate of the cost of the labour and goods involved in a building contractor carrying out building work.
Quoins - The external vertical corner of a wall at a window, doorway or corner of a building, which must be built accurately vertical
Ranging Rod - a 6” wooden pole which has a steel point at one end which is used as a temporary marker the agreed, or offered, cost of providing a unit of an item (i.e. an hour’s labour)
Retaining Wall - A wall designed to hold back, or ‘retain’, higher level ground behind it
Schedule of Work - A list of all items of work included in a building project
Schedule of Materials - A list of all materials required for a project or job
Soffit – The area beneath the eaves. The underside of a structural component, such as a cornice
Sub-contractor - A labourer or business which is contracted out by the main building contractor. The main contractor will then pay for any work undertaken by the sub-contractor.
