Construction Terms
Architectural DrawingA line drawing showing plan and/or elevation views of the proposed building for the purpose of showing the overall appearance of the building.
As-Built Drawings (also known as Record Drawings)
Contract drawings marked up to reflect changes made during the construction process. It is good practice to make As-Built drawings by marking the changes on reproducible drawings for the duplication purposes later.
Building Code
The legal requirements set up by the prevailing various governing agencies covering the minimum acceptable requirements for all types of construction.
Building Permit
A written document issued by the appropriate governmental authority permitting construction to begin on a specific project in accordance with drawings and specifications approved by the governmental authority.
Change Order
A written document between the owner and the contractor signed by the owner and the contractor authorizing a change in the work or an adjustment in the contract sum or the contract time. The contract sum and the contract time may be changed by a change order. A change order may be in the form of additional compensation or time; or less compensation or time known as a Deduction (from the contract) the amount deducted from the contract sum by change order.
Cost Plus Fee Agreement (Cost-Plus)
A written agreement with the owner under which the contractor or the architect and engineer is reimbursed for his/her direct and indirect costs and, in addition, is paid a fee for his services. The fee is usually stated as a stipulated sum or as a percentage of cost.
Contract Documents
A term used to represent all executed agreements between the owner and contractor; any general, supplementary or other contract conditions; the drawings and specifications; all addenda issued prior to execution of the contract; and any other items specifically stipulated as being included in the contract documents.
Contractor
A properly licensed individual of company that agrees to furnish labor, materials, equipment and associated services to perform the work as specified for a specified price.
Design-Build Construction
When a Prime or Main contractor bids or negotiates to provide Design and Construction services for the entire construction project.
Estimate
An opinion about the approximate cost or value of something. (see Proposal)
Fixed Fee
A set contract amount for all labor, materials, equipment and services; and contractors overhead and profit for all work being performed for a specific scope of work.
General Contractor
Properly licensed individual or company having primary (prime) responsibility for the work.
General Contracting (the traditional method)
When a prime or main contractor bids the entire work AFTER the final design, plans and specifications are complete and have been approved by the owner.
Plans
A term used to represent all drawings including sections and details; and any supplemental drawings for complete execution of a specific project.
Preliminary Drawings
1. The drawings that precede the final approved drawings.
2. Usually these drawings are stamped or titled “PRELIMINARY”; and the “PRELIMINARY” is removed from the drawings upon being reviewed and approved by the owner.
Professional Engineer
One who is professionally engaged in a branch of engineering.
Project
A word used to represent the overall scope of work being performed to complete a specific construction job.
Project Manager (Project Management)
A qualified individual or firm authorized by the owner to be responsible for coordinating time, equipment, money, tasks and people for all or specified portions of a specific project.
Proposal (also called Quote)
Far more specific and binding than an estimate, a proposal is a written offer from a bidder to the owner, preferably on a prescribed proposal form, to perform the work and to furnish all labor, materials, equipment and/or services for the prices and terms quoted by the bidder.
Scope of Work
A written range of view or action; outlook; hence, room for the exercise of faculties or function; capacity for achievement; all in connection with a designated project.
Standards of Professional Practice
A listing of minimum acceptable ethical principals and practices adopted by qualified and recognized professional organizations to guide their members in the conduct of specific professional practice.
Sub
An abbreviation for Subcontractor.
Subcontract
A written form of agreement between the prime or main contractor and another contractor or supplier for the satisfactory performance of services or delivery or material as set forth in the plans and specifications for a specific project.
Subcontractor
A qualified subordinate contractor to the prime or main contractor.
Underwriter’s Laboratories Label (UL)
A label on a product or manufactured item showing the material is regularly tested by, and complies with the minimum standards of the Underwriter’s Laboratories specification for safety and quality.
Vendor
One that sells materials or equipment not fabricated to a special design.
Working Drawing
A drawing sufficiently complete with plan and section views, dimensions, details, and notes so that whatever is shown can be constructed and/or replicated without instructions but subject to clarifications.
Zoning
Restrictions of areas or regions of land within specific geographical areas based on permitted building size, character, and uses as established by governing urban authorities.
