The 8 stages
- Engineer, certifier, council approvals, owner-builder permit
- Site prep, demolition, raise and temporary works
- Slab and structural subfloor
- Frame, roof and external cladding (weatherproofing milestone)
- Services rough-in (electrical, plumbing, gas)
- Insulation, plasterboard, paint preparation
- Fit-off: cabinetry, fixtures, flooring, paint
- Final inspections, certifier sign-off, occupancy
The hold-point sequence
Mandatory certifier inspections sit between the stages at slab, frame, pre-line and final. Each inspection gates the next trade, so missing one delays the build by a week at minimum because trades book out well ahead.
Lead times that bite
- Windows: 6-10 weeks from confirmed order
- Engineered timber: 4-6 weeks
- Certifier inspections: book one week ahead, sometimes two
- Utility disconnects (raise): 4-6 weeks notice required
The mistake we made
The costliest sequencing mistake was bringing trades on site a day early, on the assumption the certifier would inspect promptly. They did not, so the trades sat idle. Book the certifier first and build the trade calendar around their availability, not the other way around.
Tools
Use the Project Control System to lay your specific sequence against your trades' availability and the certifier's booking window.
