Site, Planning, and Project Foundations

This unit introduces the preparatory phases of a self‑build or renovation project: site selection and acquisition, funding and conveyancing, planning permissions and approvals, and early design decisions. Learners survey construction management, procurement, basic structural and services principles (foundations, drainage, water, electricity), and produce initial budgets, schedules, and schematic specifications to prepare for detailed construction and finishing units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze potential plots and properties using environmental, access, zoning, planning, and utility criteria to justify selection or rejection
• Evaluate financing, conveyancing, and procurement options and develop a preliminary budget and funding plan for a self‑build or renovation project
• Apply planning‑permission and approval processes and construct a phased project timeline and permit submission checklist for a given project scenario
• Demonstrate selection of appropriate basic construction methods, materials, foundations, drainage, and building systems by producing a schematic specification aligned with design intent and regulatory requirements