How We Build
A successful building is the result of getting a small number of things right, at the right time, and being able to show that they were done properly. PPG oversees each of them, from the first document to the final handover, so you can approach your project with confidence and peace of mind.
What this means for you
A building you can certify and occupy
We build to the approved plans, engineering and consent conditions, so the road to your occupation certificate is clear and not held up by avoidable problems.
Problems found early, not after handover
Work is inspected at every critical stage, before it is covered up. Issues are fixed while they are small and cheap to fix.
One accountable team
We coordinate designers, engineers, certifiers and trades, so you deal with one team that answers for the result.
Clear records and a confident handover
You receive the certificates, warranties and maintenance guidance you need to own, insure, sell or manage the building with confidence.
Stage by stage
For each stage, this is what matters, why it matters, and how we oversee it.
Stage 1
Before we build
A project is won or lost before the first excavator arrives.
Build to the approved specifications
Why it matters: Your plans, engineering, development consent and certifier conditions are what make the building legal and certifiable.
How we oversee it: We work from one current set of approved documents. Any change is assessed with the designer, engineer and certifier and agreed in writing before the work goes ahead.
The right people, in the right order
Why it matters: Quality depends on who does the work and when.
How we oversee it: We check licences, insurance and competence before engaging any trade, and plan a programme that sequences trades so finished work is protected.
Clear cost and communication
Why it matters: Surprises damage trust more than problems do.
How we oversee it: You get a clear scope, price and programme, a defined approval process for variations, and regular updates.
Stage 2
Site and foundations
Everything above the ground depends on what is below it.
Foundations that suit the site
Why it matters: Foundations cannot be corrected later without major cost. Reactive soil, fill and poor drainage are common causes of cracking and movement.
How we oversee it: We review the site investigation and engineer’s design before we begin. Excavations and reinforcement are inspected before any concrete is poured.
Stage 3
Structure and frame
The part no one sees once the walls are lined.
A sound frame with correct connections
Why it matters: The frame carries the loads and resists wind. Bracing, tie-downs and fixings are hidden once linings go on.
How we oversee it: We inspect the frame against the engineer’s documents before it is covered, and check that no members or fixings have been substituted.
Stage 4
Weather-tight and efficient
Keeping water out and keeping the home comfortable to live in.
Waterproofing done properly
Why it matters: Leaks are among the most common and costly defects, and they hide behind finished surfaces.
How we oversee it: Accredited applicators, a review of the whole system including junctions and penetrations, inspection of each coat, and a flood test before tiling.
A watertight building envelope
Why it matters: The roof, flashings, windows, doors and cladding are the building’s shell. Water that gets past a poorly detailed junction can damage the frame, linings and finishes for years before it is noticed. The same envelope, with its insulation and air sealing, also decides how comfortable and costly the home is to run.
How we oversee it: We review every junction and penetration with the designer before work starts, and make sure flashings, sealing and cladding are installed in the correct order and to the manufacturer’s instructions. The whole envelope is inspected at lock-up, before linings cover it, and installed products are checked against the energy rating documents.
Stage 5
Fit-out and services
Where safety-critical work meets the finishes you will see every day.
Fire safety and services that comply
Why it matters: Fire separation, alarms, electrical, plumbing and gas work protect lives and must be certified before you occupy.
How we oversee it: Licensed trades only. We check fire separation before it is covered and collect compliance certificates as each part is completed.
Stage 6
Completion and handover
The finish line should give you confidence, not questions.
Records, inspections and handover
Why it matters: Evidence that the work was done properly protects you now and for years afterwards.
How we oversee it: We work to an inspection plan with hold points and photo records, resolve defects before handover, and give you the certificates, warranties and care guidance in an organised pack.
Built on our own know-how
Our approach is developed in-house. PPG’s team has built its own inspection standards, stage-by-stage checklists and benchmarks, drawing on hands-on experience of serious construction. They are applied on top of the National Construction Code and Australian Standards, and refined with every project. They come from people who care about getting the building right.
Backed by how we work
Our oversight is supported by company policies on quality, safety and compliance, by careful subcontractor selection, and by the way we assess new materials and methods before using them on your building. Read our Policiesand our approach to Materials & Technology.
Planning a build or a project?
Talk to us about how we would oversee your project, from approvals through to handover.