Answers to your questions

FAQ's

LEARN ABOUT THE BUILDING PROCESS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

There are several benefits of using a builder over a carpenter when it comes to construction or renovation projects.

AOV is a builder with extensive experience operating in Victoria. We are regulated by VMIA and VBA and offer warranties and insurance. Carpenters are not required to be regulated in Australia and do not offer warranties.

Some of the benefits provided by a AOV as a builder are:

  1. Knowledge and experience: Builders typically have a broad range of knowledge and experience in various aspects of construction, including design, engineering, structure, and project management. 

  2. Project management: Builders are responsible for overseeing the entire construction process, including coordinating and managing the different trades involved.  

  3. Licensing and insurance: Builders are licensed by individual states and carry insurance to protect themselves and their clients.

  4. Cost savings: Builders often have access to better pricing and discounts on materials and labor, which can result in cost savings for the homeowner.

  5. Quality control: Builders are responsible for ensuring that the construction meets quality standards and building codes, which can help ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget.

  6. Warranty: Builders provide a warranty for their work, which can give homeowners peace of mind knowing that their investment is protected.

  7. Problem-solving: Builders are equipped to handle any challenges that may arise during the construction process, such as unexpected site conditions, changes in design, or unforeseen problems.

  8. Expertise in various trades: Builders typically work with a team of skilled tradespeople, including electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and more, ensuring that the job is completed to a high standard.

  9. Time-saving: Builders can often complete projects more quickly and efficiently than a carpenter working alone, as they have a team of workers and access to specialised.

 

  1. Budget: Determine your budget for the project and consider all costs, including earthworks, materials, labor, permits, and any unexpected expenses.  Here is an article from Real Estate.com.au to give you an idea of the build costs (Construction only). AOV can provide a cost estimate after planning stage. 

  2. Building Codes and Regulations: Ensure you understand the local building codes and regulations that apply to your project. This includes zoning overlays, planning laws, building/planning permits, and safety requirements.   

  3. Building Permits : For more information check with your local council on building permit requirements Cardinia Shire Council, Yarra Ranges Council, Baw Baw Council, Murrindindi Shire Council

  4. Design and Layout: Consider the design and layout of your home, including the size and shape of the rooms, placement of windows and doors, and access to outdoor spaces.

  5. Builder Selection: Choose a reputable and experienced builder who has a solid track record of successful projects and is registered.  AOV is a  VBA – Victorian Registered Builder.    Michael Dompietro – DB-U 73396 – 12 years of building experience. 

  6. Timeline: Establish a timeline for your project, including the start and end dates, and milestones along the way. Your builder will have a realistic understanding of scheduling and time frames. 

  7. Building Materials: Choose high-quality building materials that will last and that meet your budget and design requirements. Look at the next tab below to determine what building materials are required. 

  8. Energy Efficiency: Consider incorporating energy-efficient features into your home, such as insulation, energy-efficient windows, and appliances, to lower energy costs over time.

  9. Safety: Ensure that your home is safe and secure during the construction process, and that the finished product meets all necessary safety requirements.

  10. Storage: Consider where you will store your belongings during the renovation process and how you will manage access to your home during the construction.

  11. Future Plans: Think about your future plans for your home and design the renovation or extension accordingly. This will help ensure that your home meets your needs now and in the future.

The building of a house or extension or major renovation process typically involves several stages, including:

  1. Design and Planning: This involves creating a design in collaboration with a draft person or architect and obtaining necessary approvals, such as building permits and zoning approvals. After plans are approved, contact AOV to obtain a building estimate. AOV can project manage the build.

  2. Site Preparation: This includes preparing the site for construction, such as excavation, grading, and installing utilities and infrastructure. Look at the tab below for details involved in Earthworks and site preparation. 

  3. Foundation: The foundation is poured or the stumps built.

  4. Framing: This involves constructing the frame or skeleton of the house using wood and/or steel.

  5. Rough-ins: This involves installing rough plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems.

  6. Insulation: Insulation is installed to keep the house warm or cool as required.

  7. Plaster: Plaster is hung and finished to create interior walls.

  8. Finishing: This involves installing flooring, cabinetry, bench tops, and other interior finishes.

  9. Paint and Finish Work: The house is painted, both inside and outside, and trim and other finish work is completed.

  10. Landscaping: This involves creating an attractive and functional outdoor space, including planting trees and shrubs, installing a lawn, and constructing hardscaping features such as decks, patios, and walkways.

  11. Final inspection: A final inspection is conducted to ensure that the house meets all building codes and regulations.

Throughout the process, the builder is responsible for managing and coordinating the different trades involved, ensuring that the project is completed on time and within budget.

Earthworks for a build involves the preparation of the site for construction. It involves excavation and grading of the land to create a level building platform and to control the flow of water away from the building site. Here is a list of the tasks that are typically involved in earthworks for a build:

  1. Clearing : removal of trees, brush, and other vegetation from the building site

  2. Excavation: digging and removal of soil and rock to create a level platform for construction

  3. Grading: shaping the site to control the flow of water and create a level building platform

  4. Compaction: densifying the soil to support the weight of the building

  5. Drainage: installing drainage systems to control the flow of water and prevent water damage

  6. Erosion control: installing measures to prevent soil erosion during and after construction

  7. Rock excavation: removal of rocks and boulders from the site, if necessary

  8. Site preparation: preparing the site for construction, including placement of building lines, utilities, and retaining walls if needed

  9. Backfill: filling the excavation site with soil and compacting it to support the building foundation

  10. Final grading: shaping the site to its final contours, creating a level platform for landscaping and other exterior finishes.

 

The materials you need to build a house will vary depending on the design, location, and local building codes, but here is a general list of materials that are typically used in residential construction:

  1. Earthworks : excavation, demolition, vegetation removal, rubbish removal, grading.

  2. Foundation materials: concrete, rebar, steel, or masonry, vapour barrier

  3. Framing materials: timber, engineered wood, or steel, roof trusses

  4. Roofing materials: metal roofing or tile, guttering, fascia, downpipes, ridge caps

  5. Cladding materials: weatherboards (fibre cement or timber), metal, render, brick veneer

  6. Windows and doors: aluminium, wood-framed windows, and solid core or hollow core doors, consider double glazing, shutters to meet BAL ratings

  7. Heating and Cooling : A/C split system, ducted, hydronic, underfloor, wood fires

  8. Insulation: blanket insulation for roof, fibreglass batts or spray foam insulation

  9. Plasterboard : standard or moisture-resistant

  10. Flooring materials: carpet, hardwood, tile, or vinyl, engineered timber

  11. Plumbing fixtures: toilets, sinks, shower systems, and water heaters, septic systems, sewage.

  12. Electrical fixtures: wiring, switches, outlets, and light fixtures, power relocation, power pit location

  13. Painting supplies: paint, brushes, rollers, and painter’s tape

  14. Hardware and fasteners: screws, nails, hinges, and other hardware components

  15. Termite treatment


Always consider your BAL rating and materials that meet this standard. AOV Construction is experienced in building to BAL rating standards from BAL-Low to BAL – FZ.
 
 

In the home building process, several different types of labor and trades are used, including:

  1. Architects and designers: They are responsible for creating the design and layout of the house and ensuring that all necessary permits and approvals are obtained.

  2. Surveyors: They perform site surveys and help ensure that the house is built to meet all zoning, building code, and safety regulations.

  3. Excavators and heavy equipment operators: They prepare the site for construction and perform necessary earthworks.

  4. Framers: They construct the frame or skeleton of the house using wood and/or steel.

  5. Plumbers: They install the plumbing system, including pipes, fixtures, and appliances.

  6. Electricians: They install the electrical system, including wires, fixtures, and appliances.

  7. HVAC technicians: They install the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

  8. Insulators: They install insulation to keep the house warm or cool as required.

  9. Plasterers: They hang and finish the plasterboard to create interior walls.

  10. Flooring installers: They install flooring, including carpet, tile, hardwood, and laminate.

  11. Cabinetry and countertop installers: They install cabinets, countertops, and other interior finishes.

  12. Painters: They paint the interior and exterior of the house.

  13. Landscapers: They create an attractive and functional outdoor space, including planting trees and shrubs, installing a lawn, and constructing hardscaping features such as decks, patios, and walkways.

  14. Inspectors: They perform inspections throughout the construction process to ensure that the house meets all building codes and regulations.

The builder is responsible for managing and coordinating these trades and ensuring that the project is completed on time and within budget. 

AOV have an extensive network of trades and professionals we work with to ensure our builds are of a quality standard, comply with all regulations and are cost effective. 

Cost estimates for a building construction project are an estimation of the monetary expenses that will be incurred for the completion of the project. These estimates typically take into account all the materials, labor, permits, and other expenses that will be required to complete the build. The cost estimates are typically done by a professional builder or estimator, who takes into account the project’s design (after plans are draw up), location, and specifications, the trades required, as well as local building codes and regulations, to determine the total cost of the project. The final cost of a build can vary based on the scope of the project, the materials used, and other factors, but the cost estimate provides a good starting point for budgeting and financial planning.

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