Alphabetical Glossary of Common Home Industry Terms:

Adhesive:

• A substance that sticks to materials or allows objects to stick together, such as resin, epoxy, and glue. Adhesives are often applied with a caulking gun.

Aggregate:

• A particulate material made of sand or crushed stone, gravel, recycled concrete, etc.—it is a fundamental part of building foundations.

Agile Project Management:

• Adapting to a situation as it develops, making changes to a project as needed. Project management software can be helpful in implementing Agile project management.

All-in Rate:

• The total expenses for a project, including direct and indirect costs.

Alternate Bid:

• An amount that may increase or decrease the base bid if the project scope change meets approval.

Appraisal:

• The opinion a cost consultant provides concerning a property's valuation.

Architect:

• A qualified individual or organization responsible for designing and planning structures for construction—they complete drawings for the building process.

ASTM:

• The American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) is an international standards organization that creates technical construction standards for products, systems, services, and materials.

Back Charge:

• Money held back or charged to a contractor after a project ends to cover the cost of an expense, damage, or incomplete work.

Backfill:

• Refilling an excavated hole with the material dug out previously.

BAS:

• A building automation system (BAS) is an energy management system that connects and automates interior functions, centralizing control of a building's electrical, HVAC, fire, security systems, etc.

Beam:

• Material, often made from steel or wood, that spans across a building to support the floor or roof.

BIM:

• Building information modeling (BIM) involves creating a computer model of a building, including details of that structure—from its basic layout to the smallest measurements.

Blocking:

• Short pieces of lumber to join, fill, or reinforce a structure to increase strength.

Blueprint:

• A design or technical drawing that includes crucial construction details.

BOQ:

• A bill of quantity (BOQ) is a contract document that features all workmanship and materials to better price a project.

Bottleneck:

• A point in construction where trade workers must complete or clear items before more work can continue—for example, waiting on the delivery of materials or equipment.

Box Crib:

• Temporary wooden structures used to support heavy objects during construction.

Builder:

• Typically, the builder is the primary construction contractor, distributing contracts to all other parties.

Building Code:

• Construction requirements enacted into law and enforced by government agencies—all parties must follow this set of rules when planning and building.

CAD:

• Computer-aided design is the software used to create, modify, analyze, and optimize a design.

Cantilever:

• A long, projecting beam supported only on one end.

Catastrophic Failure:

• An abrupt and irrecoverable mishap within the construction process.

Caulking:

• A type of sealant that prevents water and moisture from getting into cracks and crevices. It is commonly used around pipes, windows, and doors.

Circuit:

• A complete path that electricity flows through.

Change Order:

• A document that changes or modifies an element of a project—either the plans, price, or specifications.

Cofferdam:

• A watertight enclosure that allows an area to be pumped out or drained to ensure a dry, safe working environment.

Commercial Projects:

• Commercial-based construction, such as office buildings, restaurants, or hotels.

Concrete:

• A building material made of sand, gravel, and water poured into molds or forms. It is used for posts, driveways, slabs, foundations, etc.

Concrete Slab:

• The horizontal, poured platform used to build the floor or ceiling of a building.

Contract:

• A formal, legally binding agreement.

Construction Daily Reports:

• A documented record of field notes, including weather conditions, work completed, materials delivered, etc.

Construction Management Software:

• Software used to manage many aspects of a project.

Consultant:

• Someone who provides professional advice throughout varying stages of construction.

Cost-Plus Contract:

• A contract where a contractor receives payment for all expenses plus a payment for profit.

CPM:

• Critical path method (CPM) is used for project scheduling. Managers can leverage software to break down required activities and tasks for generating necessary timelines.

CRM:

• Customer relationship management (CRM) is software used to manage interactions and relationships with company clients—both existing and new.

Cross Bracing:

• X-shaped, diagonal supports that improve structural performance and stability.

Dampproofing:

• Dampness and moisture are among the most common construction problems. This procedure prevents the absorption of moisture into walls.

Datum:

• The point of reference for which future measurements can be made—especially for leveling.

Demolition:

• The act of knocking down or destroying a structure.

Dependencies:

• Tasks that contractors must complete before the next task can begin, such as running wiring before installing electrical features.

Derrick Barge:

• Floating cranes, often used for offshore construction.

Diagrid:

• Framework of diagonally intersecting material, such as metal, wood, or concrete, used in the construction of buildings.

Drill:

• A standard power tool used to drive screws into walls, floors, and other applications/materials. Drill bits can also drill out holes—for example, to run wiring through wall studs.

Drywall:

• Paneling used for walls and ceilings (also referred to as plasterboard).

Ducts:

• Passages for ventilation, heating, and air systems to direct air throughout a structure or building.

Elevation:

• An architect-created drawing that shows one side of the building, showcasing the finished appearance and height dimensions—four elevations are typically drawn.

Encasement:

• The encasing or covering of all interior and exterior building components, including roofing and piping.

Estimate:

• The approximate pre-construction cost to help managers or project planners create a budget.

Excavation:

• The operation, tools, and equipment used to move rock, dirt, and other materials. This process is often necessary for foundations and building roads.

Falsework:

• Temporary structures that support a separate structure while under construction—such as temporary steelwork, scaffolding, etc.

Feasibility Study:

• The study a developer conducts to determine the demand and financial viability of an area for a proposed project.

Footing:

• The portion of a building's foundation that helps redistribute a structure's weight from the foundation into the earth and soil below.

Foreman:

• A construction site's leading supervisor in charge of a work crew—ensures the completion of daily tasks based on the established timeline.

Formwork:

• The molds used to form concrete for structural purposes.

Foundation:

• The base of a structure that anchors and supports it as the lowest load-bearing part of a building.

General Contractor:

• The person responsible for day-to-day oversight of a site. They typically work directly with the property owners.

Green-star Rating:

• An internationally recognized rating system to verify a building or community project is sustainable.

Holdback:

• Typically, 10% of a contract is held back to protect the buyer. Withholding this portion of the invoice ensures work completion.

HVAC:

• This term stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

Inspection:

• The review process to ensure construction complies with contract, zoning, and code requirements.

Insulation:

• The material placed in the walls and ceiling to stop heat and sound from exiting or entering a space.

Joist:

• Horizontal elements connected to a perpendicular beam for load transfer—for example, floor joists.

Jigsaw:

• A power tool used for cutting curves and shapes, typically in wood.

Lean Construction:

• A process that maximizes value while minimizing waste. It emphasizes team collaboration.

Lien:

• A claim contractors or subcontractors make for unpaid work on a project they completed adequately.

Live Load:

• An engineering term for loads that are not constant, referring to anything that enters or leaves a building—such as people, furniture, vehicles, etc. Since the weight of live loads can impact the stability of a structure, it helps engineers calculate maximum occupancy.

Lookout:

• Wooden joist that cantilevers from the exterior wall to support the sheathing phase while providing a nailing surface for the fascia.

MEP:

• Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing are the technical aspects that make a building habitable for occupants.

Mortar:

• A mixture of sand and cement to bind materials, such as brick, stone, and block.

NIC:

• Stands for "not in contract."

Pallet:

• A flat, wooden platform for storing or moving materials—typically with a forklift.

Particle Board:

• Sheets or panels made from sawdust and resin.

Procurement:

• The act of obtaining a service or product.

Plywood:

• Strong, thin wooden boards made from two or more layers glued together—often sold in 4'x8' sheets.

Preliminary Drawings:

• Drawings created during a project's early stages.

Punch List:

• A detailed document listing work that doesn't meet the customer's specifications.

Purlin:

• A horizontal beam across the length of a roof that adds structural support.

PVC:

• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a common form of plastic, often used to make PVC pipes.

Rafter:

• The supporting (usually sloping) timbers that support a roof.

Renovation:

• The remodeling or reconstruction of a building to enhance aesthetics or adhere to safety requirements.

Rim Joist:

• Also known as a band board, the rim joist provides lateral support to end joists.

Rough-in:

• This construction stage is when contractors install electrical, mechanical, and plumbing lines into the project. The basic framing is complete, but the final connections still require completion.

RTT:

• Requester for tender (RTT) invites vendors to submit bids to supply services and products to complete a project.

Rubblization:

• The process of breaking up worn-out concrete into small pieces to use as a base material.

Scope of Work:

• A document outlining the construction project's work.

Shiplap:

• Wooden board paneling used for exterior or interior finishing—boards are rabbeted to create an overlapping joint.

Studs:

• This framing element refers to upright supports in the walls of buildings. It is also used to attach drywall, sheathing, etc.

Subcontractor:

• A person or business that performs part of the work specified in another, larger contract.

Subfloor:

• The foundation layer below the flooring surface offers a structurally flat surface, most commonly constructed with plywood.

Substructure:

• An underlying structure, such as a foundation below a house. It is the portion of the building that sits below the ground.

Superstructure:

• A structure built on top of another structure—such as a house built on top of a foundation.

Table Saw:

• A versatile saw used to cut across (crosscut) or with a wood's grain (rip).

Takeoff:

• A list of the types and quantities of materials needed for a phase of the construction project—or for it to be completed in its entirety.

Trade:

• An occupation or craft typically involving manual skill, such as a plumber, framer, or electrician.

Trim:

• Another term for molding, trim is used for decorative and practical purposes to encase windows and doors or trim out ceilings, floors, and cabinets.

Underpinning:

• A technique used to strengthen the foundation of an existing structure by adding beams, base pining, or concrete.

VIF:

• Stands for "verify in field," indicating that the dimensions on a drawing require additional verification at the site.

Warping:

• Deformity in wood from changes in moisture content.

Zoning:

• A method in which a municipality divides lands into zones—each with its own set of regulations and acceptable use.