From DA to PC Items: A Guide to Building Terms You’ll Actually Understand
You don’t need to be a builder to understand building—just someone willing to ask questions and learn.
👩💼 A Real-Life Moment: “I Was Nodding… But I Had No Idea What He Meant”
When we first met our client Lauren, she admitted she was completely overwhelmed after chatting with a previous builder.
“They were throwing around terms like ‘variations’, ‘preliminaries’, and ‘RFI’—and I just sat there nodding like I knew what they meant,” she laughed. “I left the meeting more confused than when I walked in.”
That’s why during our initial consults, we take the time to slow things down, explain terms in plain language, and make sure our clients never feel lost.
Because when you're investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into your dream renovation, you deserve to feel confident—not confused.
🔑 Key Building Terms You’ll Definitely Hear (And What They Mean)
Here are some of the most common building terms you’ll come across—translated into plain English:
DA (Development Application): A formal request submitted to your local council for permission to carry out significant renovations or builds.
CC (Construction Certificate): Approval from a certifier (after the DA) confirming your plans comply with the building code and can move into construction.
CDC (Complying Development Certificate): A fast-tracked alternative to a DA, issued by a private certifier if your project meets strict, pre-set criteria (used in place of DA + CC).
OC (Occupation Certificate): The final tick of approval confirming that the completed works are safe, compliant, and ready to be lived in.
PC Items (Prime Cost Items): Things like taps, tiles, or vanities that are yet to be chosen. Your contract includes a set allowance for these, but the final cost depends on your selections.
PS (Provisional Sums): Estimated costs for work that can’t be fully quoted yet—like excavation, where the exact work involved won’t be known until digging starts.
Variations: Changes made after your contract is signed—these can affect both cost and timelines and should always be documented in writing.
Preliminaries: Everything that happens before construction begins—design development, soil testing, approvals, interior selections, and quoting.
Stage Payments: Payments made in agreed phases throughout the build—usually tied to progress milestones (e.g., slab, frame, lock-up).
Lead Time: The time it takes from ordering a product (like custom windows or tiles) to when it arrives on site. Long lead times can impact your project timeline.
HBCF (Home Building Compensation Fund): A type of insurance (formerly called Home Warranty Insurance) that protects homeowners if the builder dies, disappears, or becomes insolvent during the project.
Understanding just these terms can make your renovation journey feel 100 times clearer.
🤔 Still Unsure? Ask These Questions During Planning
When you hear a term you don’t know, try one of these:
“Can you explain what that means in plain terms?”
“Is that something I need to make a decision about now?”
“Will this affect my budget or timeline?”
“Is this a standard part of your process?”
*A professional builder won’t make you feel silly for asking—*they’ll make you feel empowered.
🛠 Why This Matters: Confidence = Better Decisions
The more you understand what’s happening, the more confident you’ll feel making decisions—on finishes, on budgets, and even on your choice of builder.
At LUXE Building, we believe that a luxury renovation experience should feel easy to follow—even if the project is complex.
That’s why our process is designed to educate and empower our clients every step of the way.
🎯 Your Next Step: Take Control of the Language
Want to keep learning?
✅ Bookmark this blog and come back to it anytime you feel lost in building lingo.
✅ Remember: If something’s unclear, ask. Confident renovators ask questions—they don’t pretend to know it all.
Final Thought: You Don’t Need to Speak “Builder”
Let’s be real—you already have a busy life. You shouldn’t have to learn a whole new language just to renovate your dream home.
You just need a builder who takes the time to explain things clearly. One who believes that communication is just as important as craftsmanship.
Remember: You don’t need to be a builder to understand building—just someone willing to ask questions and learn.