From Brickwork to Roof Cover: What These Construction Milestones Really Mean

A real snapshot from Lakelands

On a street in Lakelands, three homes are currently under construction – each at a different stage.

• One has just reached Plate Height (brickwork complete)

• One is at Roof Frame Stage

• One has reached Roof Cover

Side by side, they tell a clear story of how a home progresses once construction begins.

But for many clients, especially first home buyers, these milestones can feel unclear.

So let’s break them down, what they mean, what happens next, and why they matter.

Plate Height

Reaching Plate Height means your brickwork is complete.

This is often the first major “wow” moment for clients, where you can physically walk through your home and understand the layout beyond a floorplan!

What happens next?

At this stage, your Site Supervisor begins preparing for the roof:

• The site is cleaned and prepared

• Roof timbers are delivered

• The roof carpenter begins framing

Depending on the design, your roof frame typically takes:

• 3–10 working days to complete

After the roof frame is up, the next step begins, and it’s one many clients haven’t heard of before.

“Tubing” stage explained

Before the roof cover goes on:

• Plumbers and electricians attend site

• They chase the walls to install internal services

This is known as tubing, and it prepares the home for the next major milestone, roof cover.

Roof Frame

The Roof Frame Stage is where your home gains its full structural shape.

You’ll see:

• Timber trusses installed

• The full roof outline visible

• The home’s scale become much clearer

This is a fast-moving stage, but a critical one.

Roof Cover

Reaching Roof Cover is a major milestone.

It means your home now has a completed roof, protecting it from the elements.

For many clients, this is the moment the home truly feels “real”.

What happens after roof cover?

Your Site Supervisor now works toward Lock-up Stage.

Lock-up means:

• External doors are installed

• Windows are glazed

• The home is secure and enclosed

(Note: Garage doors are typically installed later in the process)

At the same time, internal progress ramps up:

• Plasterers apply grey float and white set

• Ceilings and cornices are installed

• Internal spaces begin to take shape

Why these milestones matter

Each of these stages represents more than construction progress.

They show:

• A structured, well-sequenced building process

• Coordination between multiple trades

• Momentum moving toward handover

When you see multiple homes progressing smoothly, like we are in Lakelands, it’s a strong signal that the system behind the build is working.

What clients often don’t see

Behind every milestone is detailed coordination:

• Scheduling trades at the right time

• Ensuring materials arrive when needed

• Managing site readiness between stages

This is where experience matters, and why consistent site supervision plays such a key role in keeping builds moving.

A clearer path from slab to keys

Understanding these milestones helps clients feel more confident in the journey.

From:

• Slab down

• To plate height

• To roof frame

• To roof cover

• To lock-up

Each stage builds toward the same outcome, a completed home, ready for handover.

Thinking about building your first home?

If you’re exploring what it takes to build in Perth, understanding the construction journey is one of the most important first steps.

At B1 Homes, we guide clients through every stage, from planning and approvals through to construction and handover, with clear communication along the way.

Start your journey

👉 https://b1homes.com.au/first-home-builder-perth/

Or explore available opportunities:
👉 https://b1homes.com.au/home-and-land-packages/