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Promissory estoppel

is a legal idea that can hold a bidder to their bid even without a signed contract, if the owner relied on that bid in good faith.

Flow-down clauses:

Terms from the prime contract often "flow down" to the subcontract — meaning subs are bound by some of the same rules/obligations the general contractor agreed to with the owner.

Pay-when-paid

the sub gets paid within a reasonable time after the GC gets paid (timing condition).

Pay-if-paid

the sub only gets paid if the GC gets paid at all (this shifts more risk to the sub — much stricter).

CM (Construction Manager) – Agency:

A construction manager works as the owner's advisor/agent, but doesn't hold the trade contracts directly.

Program Management

Managing multiple projects or a whole program of work for an owner, not just one job.

CM/GC (also called CM at Risk)

The construction manager acts more like a general contractor and takes on risk for the cost/schedule, while also advising during design.

DB (Design-Build)

One single company (or team) handles both the design AND the construction, instead of the owner hiring them separately. This overlaps design and construction to save time.

Spearin doctrine

which says if an owner gives you the design/specs, the owner is responsible if that design turns out to be flawed)