You are here:

What builder speak do I need to know?

What builder speak do I need to know?

Every industry has its own niche phrases or specialist terminology and the building is industry is no different. Herringbone or basket weave? A chippie or a sparky? Your chimney rendered or point work?

Builders’ jargon can throw even the most confident DIY-er off kilter. Just when you think you are up to speed with whatever job your builder is working on, they will come in with terms like screeding, balloon framing or flashing. You’ve got to give them an answer, your mind goes blank, you stall with an ‘Err’ and ask them to repeat!

Builder speak

Don’t worry! You aren’t the first and you won’t be the last to be bamboozled by builders’ speak.  The crucial thing is to not just say ‘Yes’ and hope for the best. There are thousands of terms that are normal for builders, engineers and contractors that would boggle the mind of non-industry homeowners. They are so used to them that your builder might not even realise just how much jargon they are using.

There are three things you can do:

  1. Ask them to explain again but in plain English. A good builder will always be happy to explain. Constantly speaking in builders’ terminology to non-industry clients is not only rude but can also cause misunderstandings and mistakes, as well as affecting the progress of your extension.
  2. Discuss the consequences of one method over another. If your builder asks you to make a decision, don’t feel rushed. Ask them to explain the consequences of doing A over B.
  3. Brush up on some key words. Having a clear idea of the issues you need to be aware of can help communication.

Here are some words and phrases that you might come across when building your new extension:

ARCHITRAVE – Decorative mouldings around doors and windows.

BALLOON FRAMING – A wooden framing structure used to construct a house. There are three main types of framing: post and beam, balloon and platform framing.

BASKET WEAVE -  A type of pattern which could be used for tiling or when laying wooden floors

CHIPPIE/CHIPPY – Carpenter

CLOSER – A brick that has been cut in half lengthways.

COURSE – A single horizontal row of bricks.

DOT AND DAB – A method used for gluing plaster boards (or tiles) to masonry walls.

FIRST FIX – Everything required before plastering the walls and ceiling. Eg: installation of wires, pipes etc

FLASHING – A metal sheet that stops water getting in between a wall and a roof junction.

GABLE – The triangular part of a wall that supports a pitched roof.

HERRINGBONE – A type of pattern which could be used for tiling or when laying wooden floors.

JAMB – The side of an opening in a wall that is for a door or window.

JOIST – A long, sturdy piece of squared timber or metal that is used to support a floor or ceiling.

MAKE GOOD  - To repair the plaster and paintwork after some form of interior construction work.

MUCK – Slang for sand and cement mortar

PARTY WALL -  A dividing wall between adjoining houses.

POINTING – The mortar (cement and sand mix) between brick walls or patio tiles. It can be weatherstruck, raked, recessed or flush.

PURLIN – A horizontal timber or steel beam halfway up a roof that gives extra support.

RENDERED – An external sand/cement coating for walls to cover up brickwork.

SCREED – A layer of sand/cement that provides a smooth finish to a floor.

SECOND FIX – When a builder completes all the jobs after the plastering is finished, eg: fitting light switches, skirting boards

SKIM – The last coat of plaster.

STACK – The vertical waste pipe from sinks and toilets.

SPARKY – Electrician.