Boring Numbers in Building (But Extremely Important to Know)

Reading your plans and understanding your build 101 How many of these did you know? Comment them below We break down the "boring" details builders assume you already know - coursing heights, FFL, slab thickness, door and window codes - the stuff that quietly makes or breaks your build. Miss these and you can end up with a garage that won't fit your 4WD, a kitchen benchtop that costs thousands more than it should, or a home that floods every time it rains. What we cover: Brick coursing - why 86mm is the number to know, and how to read course heights on your elevations Reading a survey - how to check if your land slopes, and why it matters more than you think Finished floor level (FFL) - what it tells you about flooding risk and street presence Stone benchtops - the slab sizes that keep costs down, and the difference between 20, 40 and 60mm edges Provisional sums vs fixed price vs cost plus - and why one of these puts all the risk on you Room sizes - what actually makes a "good" bedroom, garage or hallway Slab thickness options and why the upstairs slab matters more than people think Door and window codes - what those little letters (A, FX, OBS) actually mean on your plan Bi-fold and stacker doors - the one detail almost everyone gets wrong Chapters: 00:51 - Brick coursing and the 86mm number 01:43 - Finished floor level (FFL) and reading a survey 04:36 - Why you should order a survey early 05:32 - Stone benchtop slab sizes 06:49 - Stone thickness options 07:44 - Ideal bench-to-island distance 08:21 - Naked flame vs induction cooktops 08:59 - Why 1:100 plans make sizing easier 11:09 - It's normal to struggle reading a plan 12:01 - Provisional sums explained 12:24 - Fixed price vs cost plus 16:05 - Hallway widths 16:57 - Double bedroom sizes 19:10 - Slab thickness options 21:37 - Garage heights and courses 22:37 - Garage sizes 23:09 - Step-downs for outdoor areas 24:23 - Door widths 26:35 - Front door sizing 27:26 - Window codes (A, FX, OBS, S) 28:54 - How to read window height numbers 30:17 - Gas lift and bi-fold doors 31:39 - Stacker doors and which one opens first 32:11 - Lighting plan legends Found the episode useful? Please follow & leave a comment. It really goes a long way to getting it to more people like you. Need design & building advice? Find out more on our IBA website www.independentbuildingadvice.com.au Want more home building episodes? Visit our YouTube or website https://independentbuildingadvice.com... Follow us on socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Disclaimer: The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, site conditions, budget, or local council requirements. Building, design, investment, and rental outcomes vary significantly depending on individual factors. We recommend seeking personalised professional advice before making decisions related to property, construction, or finance.