CONSTRUCTION TERMS
Return to "Free Resources"- Addendum – A written or graphic instrument issued before bids are received that modifies or interprets the bidding documents (drawings, specifications).
- Aggregate – Sand, gravel, crushed stone, or other granular material mixed with cement and water to form concrete or asphalt.
- As-Built Drawings – Drawings revised to show the actual final condition of construction, including any changes made during the project.
- Backfill – Soil or other material used to refill an excavated area, typically around a foundation.
- Balloon Framing – A wood-framing method where studs run continuously from the sill to the roof, uninterrupted by floors.
- Beam – A horizontal structural member that carries loads across a span and transfers them to columns or walls.
- Bid Bond – A guarantee from a surety that a contractor will honor its bid and enter into a contract if awarded the work.
- Blueprint – A traditional term for construction drawings, originally produced via a photographic printing process on blue paper.
- Building Code – A set of legally adopted regulations governing the design, construction, and occupancy of buildings.
- Building Envelope – The physical separator between a building's interior and exterior, including walls, roof, and foundation.
- Cantilever – A structural member that projects horizontally beyond its support, supported only at one end.
- Change Order – A written document that modifies the original contract, altering scope, cost, or schedule.
- Chase – A vertical or horizontal enclosed space in a building used to route pipes, ducts, or wiring.
- Close-In / Rough-In – The construction phase when framing, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems are installed before walls are closed up.
- Code Compliance – Conformance of a building's design and construction with applicable building codes.
- Column – A vertical structural member that transfers loads from beams or slabs above down to the foundation.
- Conduit – A tube or trough used to protect and route electrical wiring.
- Construction Documents (CDs) – The complete set of drawings and specifications used to construct a project.
- Contingency – A sum of money set aside in a budget to cover unforeseen costs.
- Cost Plus Contract – A contract where the owner pays the actual cost of labor and materials plus an agreed fee for the contractor's overhead and profit.
- CPM Schedule (Critical Path Method) – A project scheduling technique that identifies the sequence of dependent tasks determining the shortest possible project duration.
- Curtain Wall – A non-load-bearing exterior wall system, often glass and metal, attached to the building structure.
- Deficiency List / Punch List – A list of incomplete or defective items to be corrected before final acceptance of the work.
- Detail Drawing – A large-scale drawing showing a specific construction element in greater clarity than the general plans.
- Division (CSI Divisions) – One of the 49 categories in the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) MasterFormat system used to organize specifications.
- Drywall (Gypsum Board) – A panel made of gypsum plaster pressed between paper, used to finish interior walls and ceilings.
- Easement – A legal right to use another's land for a specific purpose, such as utilities access.
- Elevation – A drawing showing the vertical, exterior face of a building or a specific side of a structure.
- Excavation – The process of removing earth to form a cavity, trench, or open space, typically for foundations.
- Fascia – A horizontal board that covers the ends of roof rafters, often supporting the gutter.
- Field Order – A written order from the architect/engineer clarifying design intent without changing contract cost or time.
- Finish Grade – The final elevation of the ground surface after grading is complete.
- Flashing – Thin sheet material (metal or plastic) installed to prevent water intrusion at joints, roof penetrations, and wall openings.
- Footing – A structural component, usually concrete, that spreads the load of a foundation wall or column over a larger soil area.
- Formwork – Temporary molds used to shape and support concrete until it cures.
- Foundation – The lowest load-bearing part of a building, typically below ground, that transfers structural loads to the earth.
- General Conditions – The contractual section defining the rights, responsibilities, and relationships of the parties involved in a project.
- General Contractor (GC) – The primary contractor responsible for overseeing a construction project and coordinating subcontractors.
- Girder – A large, primary horizontal beam that supports smaller beams or joists.
- Grade Beam – A reinforced concrete beam that transfers structural loads to isolated foundations, piles, or piers.
- Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) – A contract type where the contractor guarantees the project will not exceed a specified maximum cost.
- Header – A horizontal structural member spanning an opening (door, window) that supports the load above.
- HVAC – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning; the mechanical systems that control a building's climate.
- Insulation – Material used to reduce heat transfer through a building's walls, roof, or floors.
- Joist – A horizontal framing member that supports floor or ceiling loads, spanning between beams or walls.
- Lien – A legal claim against a property by a contractor or supplier who has not been paid for work or materials.
- Live Load – The variable, non-permanent load on a structure, such as occupants, furniture, or vehicles.
- Load-Bearing Wall – A wall that supports the weight of the structure above it, in addition to its own weight.
- Lump Sum Contract – A contract in which the contractor agrees to complete the work for a single, fixed price.
- Masonry – Construction using individual units (brick, block, stone) bonded together with mortar.
- MasterFormat – The CSI/CSC standard classification system for organizing construction specifications by division.
- Means and Methods – The techniques, sequences, and procedures a contractor uses to perform the work.
- Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP) – The building systems and associated trades covering mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work.
- Mobilization – The initial setup phase of a project, including moving equipment and personnel to the site.
- Mudsill (Sill Plate) – The bottom horizontal member of a wood-framed wall that sits atop the foundation.
- Notice to Proceed (NTP) – A formal written notice from the owner authorizing the contractor to begin work.
- Owner's Representative – A person or firm designated to act on the owner's behalf during a construction project.
- Panel Schedule – A document listing the circuits and loads connected to an electrical distribution panel.
- Parapet – A low protective wall along the edge of a roof, balcony, or terrace.
- Performance Bond – A surety bond guaranteeing that a contractor will complete a project according to contract terms.
- Permit – Official authorization from a governing jurisdiction to proceed with construction work.
- PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) – A scheduling method used to analyze the time required to complete project tasks.
- Plan (Floor Plan) – A scaled, top-down drawing showing the layout of rooms, walls, and features on a given level.
- Plumb – Perfectly vertical, as verified with a level or plumb bob.
- Post-Tensioning – A concrete reinforcement method in which steel tendons are tensioned after the concrete has cured.
- Preconstruction Phase – The planning stage before actual construction begins, including design development and budgeting.
- Prime Contract – The direct contract between the owner and the general contractor.
- Punch List – See Deficiency List.
- Rebar (Reinforcing Bar) – Steel bars embedded in concrete to increase its tensile strength.
- Request for Information (RFI) – A formal written question submitted by a contractor to the design team to clarify plans or specifications.
- Request for Proposal (RFP) – A document soliciting detailed proposals from contractors or vendors for a project.
- Retainage – A percentage of payment withheld until a project is substantially complete, ensuring performance.
- Rough Opening – The framed opening in a wall sized to accommodate a door, window, or other unit before final installation.
- Scope of Work (SOW) – A detailed description of all work to be performed under a contract.
- Section (Drawing) – A drawing representing a vertical "slice" through a building to reveal internal construction details.
- Shop Drawings – Detailed drawings prepared by a contractor, fabricator, or supplier illustrating how specific elements will be fabricated and installed.
- Slab-on-Grade – A concrete foundation slab poured directly on the ground, without a basement or crawl space.
- Specification (Spec) – The written requirements describing materials, standards, and workmanship for a project, complementing the drawings.
- Structural Engineer – A licensed professional responsible for designing a building's structural framework.
- Studs – Vertical framing members, typically wood or metal, that make up the skeleton of a wall.
- Subcontractor – A specialized contractor hired by the general contractor to perform a specific portion of the work.
- Submittal – Documentation (shop drawings, product data, samples) submitted by the contractor for review against contract requirements.
- Substantial Completion – The stage at which a project is sufficiently complete for the owner to use it for its intended purpose.
- Superintendent – The contractor's on-site manager responsible for daily supervision of construction activities.
- Survey (Land Survey) – A precise measurement of land boundaries, topography, and features, typically performed by a licensed surveyor.
- Take-Off (Quantity Take-Off) – The process of measuring and listing materials and quantities from drawings for estimating purposes.
- Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) – A short-term permit allowing partial or conditional occupancy before final completion.
- Tolerance – The acceptable range of variation permitted in dimensions or workmanship.
- Truss – A triangulated structural framework, often prefabricated, used to span roofs or floors.
- Underlayment – A material layer installed beneath finish flooring or roofing to provide a smooth base or added protection.
- Unit Price Contract – A contract in which payment is based on estimated quantities multiplied by agreed unit prices for each item of work.
- Value Engineering (VE) – A systematic process to improve project value by analyzing functions relative to cost.
- Vapor Barrier – A material that resists the diffusion of moisture through a building assembly.
- Waterproofing – Materials or methods applied to prevent water penetration into a structure.
- Weep Hole – A small opening in a wall or window assembly that allows accumulated moisture to drain out.
- Wind Load – The force exerted on a structure by wind, factored into structural design.
- Working Drawings – The complete, detailed set of drawings used to construct a project, part of the construction documents.
- Zoning – Local government regulations dictating how land in specific areas may be used and developed.
- Zoning Variance – An exception granted allowing property use or construction that deviates from standard zoning regulations.
- Z-Bar (Z-Flashing) – A Z-shaped metal flashing used above windows, doors, or horizontal trim to direct water away from the wall assembly.