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Section 273 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW) gives the owners corporation the legal authority to enter a lot when access is reasonably necessary to carry out inspections, maintenance, repairs, or any other work the owners corporation is responsible for.

A Capital Works Fund in a strata scheme is a pooled fund used to pay for major long-term repairs, replacements, and upgrades to the building and common property.

Development contributions are fees that developers pay to councils to support the extra demand their projects place on local infrastructure.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a detailed study that examines how a proposed project, such as a new building, road, mine, or industrial facility, may affect the environment.

A Building Information Certificate (BIC) is a council-issued document that protects owners from enforcement action relating to unauthorised or non-compliant building works.

A Development Control Plan (DCP) sets out detailed planning and design guidelines that developers must follow when proposing new buildings or changes in land use within a council area.

A progress payment is a staged payment made during a construction project to cover work that has been completed up to that point.

Day-rates refer to the fixed cost of labour per day, used when work cannot be easily priced by the square metre or when the scope is variable, complex, or dependent on-site conditions.

A square metre rate is a cost expressed per square metre of area, used in construction and property to provide quick, early-stage estimates before detailed design is known.

Builders Works in Connection (BWIC) refers to the supporting building works required to enable specialist services, such as mechanical, electrical, fire, hydraulic, or lift systems, to be properly installed.

A HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system is the mechanical system responsible for controlling a building’s temperature, airflow, humidity, and overall indoor air quality.

A Bill of Quantities (BOQ) is a detailed document used in construction projects that lists all the materials, labour, and work items required to complete a project, along with their measured quantities.

Unenclosed Covered Area (UCA) refers to any part of a building that is roofed but not fully enclosed by walls.

Fully Enclosed Covered Area (FECA) is a building measurement used mainly in government and commercial property assessment to calculate the total area of a building that is fully enclosed by walls and covered by a roof.

Gross Building Area (GBA) is a measurement used to define the total constructed area of a building, measured to the external face of the exterior walls.

Net Lettable Area (NLA) is a measurement used in commercial property to determine the amount of floor space within a building that can be leased to a tenant.

Gross Floor Area (GFA) is a measurement used in planning, design, and development to describe the total floor area within the external walls of a building.

The Security of Payments Act (SOPA) is legislation that protects contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in the construction industry by ensuring they are paid promptly for the work they perform or materials they provide.

An Estimated Development Cost (EDC) Report provides a comprehensive breakdown of the total anticipated cost to deliver a development project, covering everything from construction works and site preparation to professional fees, authority charges, contingencies, and infrastructure requirements.

A Pre-Tender Cost Estimate is a detailed financial assessment prepared just before a project is issued for tender.

A Feasibility Cost Estimate provides an early snapshot of a project’s likely costs before detailed design begins.

The Australian Fire Engineering Guide (AFEG) is a key reference document published by the Fire Protection Association Australia (FPAA) that provides guidance on developing and assessing performance-based fire engineering solutions.

A Fire Safety Systems Report (FSSR) is a detailed document that outlines all the fire safety measures installed within a building and confirms they have been designed, installed, and maintained in accordance with the relevant standards and regulations.

A Final Fire Safety Report (FFSR) is a document prepared at the completion of a building project that confirms all required fire safety measures have been properly installed, tested, and verified as compliant with the approved design, fire engineering solutions, and regulatory requirements.

A Performance Solution Report (PSR) is a formal document that explains how a building design achieves compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC) fire safety requirements through a performance-based approach rather than relying solely on Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions.

An Initial Fire Safety Report (IFSR) is a preliminary document prepared at the early planning or development application stage to outline how a proposed building will meet fire safety requirements.

A Fire Engineering Brief Questionnaire (FEBQ) is a structured document used at the early stage of developing a fire engineering solution.

A Performance-Based Design Brief (PBDB) is a formal document developed at the start of a performance-based fire engineering assessment.

Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) refers to a set of prescribed solutions within the National Construction Code (NCC) that, if followed, are automatically considered to meet the required performance standards for building compliance.

A Fire Engineering Report (FER) is a comprehensive document prepared by a qualified fire engineer that outlines how fire safety within a building will be achieved using performance-based design rather than only relying on standard prescriptive codes.

A Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) is an approval issued by a local council or certifying authority after a building’s fire safety measures have been designed, installed, and verified as compliant with building regulations.

An Annual Fire Safety Certificate (AFSC) is a formal document issued each year by a building owner or manager to confirm that all fire safety measures in a building have been inspected, tested, and verified as working correctly.

The Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW) is the key legislation governing how strata schemes operate in New South Wales.

An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) in a strata scheme is a meeting called outside the usual annual cycle to address urgent or significant matters that require owner approval.

In New South Wales, strata schemes are typically responsible for maintaining and repairing common property, which includes all parts of the building or land not part of an individual lot.

The Home Building Act 1989 (NSW) is the key piece of legislation governing residential building work in New South Wales.

The NSW Planning Portal is an online platform developed by the NSW Government to streamline the planning and development process across the state.

A Regulated Design is a specific type of design that must meet certain legal and compliance standards before it can be used in construction under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (NSW).

The Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (NSW) was introduced to improve the quality and accountability of building work in New South Wales.

The Home Building Compensation Fund (HBCF) Insurance is a mandatory insurance product in New South Wales (NSW) that protects homeowners when building or renovating residential properties.

Efflorescence in bricks is caused by three key factors: moisture, soluble salts, and evaporation.

Efflorescence can be prevented by controlling moisture movement through building materials.

Efflorescence is the white, powdery residue that sometimes appears on the surface of concrete, brick, or masonry.

Hazardous Solid Waste (HSW) refers to any waste that poses a significant risk to human health or the environment due to its chemical, biological, or physical properties.

Restricted Solid Waste (RSW) refers to waste that contains hazardous substances at concentrations exceeding those permitted in General Solid Waste but not high enough to classify it as Hazardous Waste.

General Solid Waste (GSW) refers to everyday commercial or industrial waste that poses no immediate risk to human health or the environment.

The NSW Waste Classification Guidelines, issued by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), provide a framework for identifying and managing different types of waste to ensure they’re handled, transported, and disposed of safely and legally.

A Remedial Action Plan (RAP) outlines the strategy for cleaning up or managing contamination on a site to make it safe for its intended use.

A Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) is the first step in assessing whether land is potentially contaminated. It involves a review of the site’s history, past uses, and surrounding land activity to identify any risks to human health or the environment.

A Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) is a comprehensive assessment conducted to determine the extent and nature of contamination on a site, usually following a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) that flagged potential issues.

The Defect Liability Period is a set time frame - typically ranging from 12 to 24 months after practical completion of construction, when the contractor remains responsible for fixing any defects that arise from faulty workmanship or materials.

Engaging a Client-Side Project Manager for your Strata Building Remediation project ensures that your interests are represented every step of the way, from initial planning through to completion.

Structural engineers focus on the integrity and safety of the structure itself. Client-side project managers represent the interests of the client throughout a project.

A capital works plan in a strata building is a long-term financial strategy that outlines anticipated major repairs and replacement of common property elements over a period of at least 10 years.

Common property in a strata building refers to all areas and facilities that are jointly owned by all lot owners and not part of any individual unit.

A strata building remedial project involves repairing and restoring common property in a strata scheme to address defects, damage, or compliance issues.

An Expert Witness Report is a formal written statement prepared by a qualified expert who has specialised knowledge in a particular field relevant to a legal matter.

The two main types of asbestos removal licences are Class A and Class B, and the key difference lies in what type of asbestos material can be removed.

A Class B Asbestos Removal Licence allows the licence holder to legally remove non-friable (bonded) asbestos in Australia.

A Class A Asbestos Removal Licence is the highest level of asbestos removal accreditation in Australia, allowing a licence holder to legally remove all types of asbestos.

A Construction Certificate (CC) is an official approval required in New South Wales (NSW) before construction work can begin on a development that has already received Development Approval (DA).

An Occupational Certificate (OC) is an official approval issued by a certifier or local council in New South Wales (NSW), confirming that a newly constructed or renovated building is safe for occupation and complies with all relevant planning and building regulations.

A Development Application (DA) is a formal request submitted to a local council or planning authority in New South Wales (NSW) for permission to carry out certain types of construction, land use, or development.

A Complying Development Certificate (CDC) in NSW is a fast-tracked approval process for low-impact projects like granny flats, swimming pools, and home extensions, allowing quicker approval without needing a full Development Application (DA).

Exempt development refers to minor building works or renovations that can be carried out without the need for council approval or a development application (DA).

An asbestos register is a key document used to identify, record, and manage asbestos risks in workplaces and buildings.

An Asbestos Removal Control Plan (ARCP) is essentially your go-to guide for managing the safe removal of asbestos.

Concrete cancer happens when the steel reinforcement inside concrete starts to rust, causing cracks, flaking, and serious structural damage. Left untreated, it only gets worse, leading to costly repairs and safety risks.

The Board of Directors committed to future proof our business and improve sustainability but were conscious that financial sustainability was also a key factor.

CARAS were recently engaged as Building Works Project Managers (BWPM) for a NDIS funded Complex Home Modification (CHM) project in southwest Sydney.

CARAS have recently been contacted to provide advice on remediation options and expert cost reports to a number of clients whose tenants had created a pollution event on leased property.

The CARAS Project Management Team recently managed the delivery of a refurbishment project at an Aged Care Facility in Wentworthville.

The CARAS team was thrilled to take an afternoon off to participate in an excellent team building experience at the Eveleigh Works Blacksmith Workshop.

Lachlan brings his enthusiasm, experience, and critical thinking to strengthen our project management team.

CARAS is thrilled to congratulate Alex Hennessy on 5 years at CARAS.

CARAS are currently assisting aged care providers to improve the quality of life across a number of new and existing facilities.

CARAS was recently engaged to provide independent expert advice on the cost and risk for the remediation of a contaminated land asset.

CARAS are currently assisting the Sustainability Team of a leading aged care provider with the installation of solar powered panels and inverters to provide solar energy to both aged care and childcare facilities.