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A recent survey indicates that 1 in 3 houses in Australia are dealing with subterranean termite infestation which can cause major structural damage to building timbers. The severe termite damage to the Australian buildings has been caused by several factors: • Historic use of softwood and untreated timber for the structure and non-structural areas of … Continued
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Most lending authorities and wise consumers require a timber pest report of the structural soundness of the intended new home. This report, with the exception of mortar damage to structural brickwork (mortar bee attack), should be solely concerned with investigation within the property of critical joinery and all structural timbers. The timber pest inspection Report … Continued
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Lighting is an important part of the homeand serves both an aesthetic and practical purpose. While lighting design is usually the responsibility of an architect or interior designer, it’s just as important for builders to understand the strategies behind good lighting. Jerry Tyrrell explains. Every job we do has lights; whether they’re inside or … Continued
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This is the 2nd Article about Access into our buildings. We now look at what we can do to make it easier for every person to use, live or work inside our buildings. The story so far In the previous article, we brought you Part 1 of the Access Rules which showed us that there are … Continued
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Publisher Jeff Patchell recently caught up with columnist Jerry Tyrrell to discuss how his acceptable Construction practice diagrams can be seriously embraced by the industry and benefit the sector on a national scale. Let’s begin with some background on our driver first. Jerry is the founder of the Institute of Building Consultants and co-founder of … Continued
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The RULES project that Connection Magazines and I are preparing is intended in part as a valid alternative to the sometimes confusing and expensive Australian Standards. I’m confident it’s only a matter time now before this clear and concise option will be the default way everyone will access building knowledge in Australia… You all know … Continued
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Jerry Tyrrell shares a couple of contrasting case studies that highlight the good, bad and the ugly when it comes to building products and customer service in this country. I’m hard (but fair) on manufacturers who give us products that are not fit for purpose or have installation rules that contractors are unaware of. … Continued
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It’s up to designers, builders and contractors to blend the basics of stair construction with the complexities to ensure the end result is safe and compliant. For those readers who are more ‘visual’ learners, then this article by Jerry Tyrrell is for you. You’ve long heard me say that I believe the Australian Building Codes … Continued
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We need a simple and agreed way of self-assessing and quality assuring building work against the regulations. Jerry Tyrrell pleads for clarity. Journalists are taught to write a ‘hook’ at the beginning of an article to grab the reader’s attention. Gun violence in the United States kills or injures more than 100,000 people a year … Continued
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Builders have shaped everything beautiful in the civilised world. We need to make sure that our work is treasured and admired by generations to come – not only in terms of construction, but also in the design of a building. I hope you have had a great year to add to the past fabulous … Continued
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In mid-September Jerry presented a paper at the ABCB’s Building Australia’s Future Conference. The following is an extraction that highlights some of the most important points of discussion. It was good to talk to industry leaders at the recent Building Australia’s Future Conference and I thank the ABCB for the opportunity to air my views. … Continued
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Are insurers fair-weather friends? Jerry Tyrrell sets out the issues and puts forward solutions. Most insurers I know have paid out claims even when they did not have to, which is to be commended. However, I want them to make a good profit by having to repair less because owners are smart – or get … Continued
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Jerry Tyrrell explains what ‘we’ need to do… because no else will. I’ve been watching our industry for nearly 50 years. Mistakes cost us a fortune every year. I reckon we waste over $5b on rectification or maintenance work we don’t like doing. This money could be spent on schools and hospitals. Most … Continued
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WATERPROOFING RULES: PART 1 looked at the main principles of waterproofing we all should know or be able to find quickly. This second part by Jerry Tyrrell delves further into the detail… My 40th article in the past 10 years will be short. My key point is: read Part 1 again – and don’t be … Continued
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The Australian Building Codes Board has made the NCC available for free online, so what about standards? Jerry Tyrell believes it could be a winning formula. The Australian Building Codes Board provided the NCC (the BCA) for free earlier this year (Yay! Yippee! Woohoo!) and after speaking at September’s Building Australia’s Future Conference the last question from … Continued
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Waterproofing mistakes are arguably the most costly to everyone. Jerry Tyrrell provides the third in a series of articles that translate the National Construction Code (Building Code of Australia) into builder speak. Back in 2005, one of the first articles I wrote for this column was on waterproofing – see ‘Avoid being a drip!’ This … Continued
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Jerry Tyrrell explains how the fundamentals of science can be applied to the building industry when it comes to conflict prevention and solution. Next year my colleagues and I will inspect our 100,000th building. We have seen millions of surprisingly stupid mistakes and defects. And, in so many cases, the cost of doing the work … Continued
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Jerry Tyrell continues his RULES project by focussing on windows and doors. Windows and doors The National Construction Code (NCC) tells us we must construct a building ‘to provide resistance to moisture from the outside that could cause unhealthy or dangerous conditions, loss of amenity for occupants or undue dampness or deterioration of building elements.’ … Continued
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I realised this year that everything we need to know to build properly is even simpler than what I’ve been saying. All the Australian Building Codes Board, who administers the NCC, needs to do is deliver easy to find code compliance and promote industry best practice. They will do this when they: 1. Publish one … Continued
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The man on a mission, Jerry Tyrrell, emphasis the fact that builders need easily accessible and understandable regulatory information, and they need it now. Builders are ‘terrorised’ daily by excess information. They are too busy, confused or intimidated to fight back against the incessant ‘barrel bombs’ of unnecessary words from government, association and industry bureaucrats. … Continued
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Even with the best of intentions, things can go wrong when you start out building or renovating, and you end up in a dispute with your builder. Tyrrells receives many enquiries from customers and contractors asking for help. Make an appointment to meet with the builder to discuss the problem. Before the meeting, make sure … Continued
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Reasons for using NSW’s only ISO accredited Building Consultancy Comparison of Property and Timber Pest Inspections Comparison of Property and Timber Pest Inspections tyrrells.com Others Full crawl of roof interior and subfloor* Yes Sometimes Expert, trained building consultants (not part-time builders) Yes Sometimes Professional Indemnity Insurance Yes Sometimes Full inspection of safely accessible roof exterior* … Continued
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Timber Pest Advice – A technical guide Here is all you need to know to perform a reasonably detailed inspection of your property. 1. General recommendations 1.1 Regular inspection of all structural timbers The Forestry Commission advises inspections at no more than 12 monthly intervals unless the type of construction is timber pest resistant. … Continued
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Building disputes don’t need to occur if you get the right tactical advice. Often the basis of a disagreement is a simple misunderstanding or honest mistake. In which case, it is vital to use a building consultant who is impartial and can provide a balanced view. Be wary of advice from friends. The emotional, financial … Continued
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When you live in Australia, termites are a fact of life. However, there are only three species which do real damage to timbers in your home and in all cases, the damage will only occur if you neglect basic maintenance or do not carry out regular timber pest inspections. Undetected termite activity is scary and … Continued