What Does Standard Construction Look LIke?

“Standard Construction”

In Ireland and the UK, standard residential construction is commonly understood to refer to the level of specification of a new speculatively built home. It could be defined as the minimum “visual” standard of construction at which a developer can expect to sell speculatively built homes within a timely manner. It is usually also the lowest “technical” standard of construction permitted by law. At the moment, this level of specification is characterised by painted sand and cement render on external walls, synthetic slate roofs, UPVC windows, and red deal internal joinery.

Most building contractors consider this level of specification as a baseline when quoting for building work, because it is the lowest level of specification they can legally sell. When a customer asks a builder for a building of a certain size without specifying how it will be built, this is the standard they quote for by default.

What Does “Standard Construction Look Like?”

If you want “rock bottom prices” you must agree to accept a fairly basic standard, similar to ordinary rented accommodation.

It Typically Includes:

• Standard concrete block cavity walls with plaster inside and outside.
• Standard pitched roofs with synthetic slates, OR standard flat roofs.
• The minimum level of insulation required by the building regulations.
• Basic electrical fit- outs with one central light bulb in each room, white plastic switches, and a double socket in every corner.
• Structural openings formed by the builder’s own block- layer, this will limit the design of windows and doors to straight openings supported lintels, rather than specialist steelwork. This means you can only make relatively small rectangular openings.
• White UPVC double- glazed windows.
• White UPVC or painted softwood soffits and fascias to roof- eaves.
• Basic red- deal stairs where necessary, suitable for carpet, but not of visual standard.
• Fitting of the cheapest possible bathroom fittings.
• At handover, the building will be ready for a painter and decorator, for carpet fitting, and for kitchen- fitting.

EXCLUDES:

• Kitchens
• En suite bathrooms.
• Any finishes or furnishings.
• Major structural steelwork.
• Large windows or high quality doors.