Construction: Definition of Terms

Construction

The art, sciene or business of building

Construction

The process of building from site preparation through erection, assembly and finishing operations

Construction

The manner in which materials are ordered, assembled and united into a whole as frame construction

Construction

The process where in a design is translated into the real world into tangible matter

Industry, Business, Science, Building Systems

Four major standpoints of construction

Project

A temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service or result

Site

The geographical venue of a project

Program

The determined needs of the users, that will guide for the design process

Schedule

The sequence, timing and duration of works to be done in order to complete the project

Budget

The financial allocation for the project

Hard Cost, Soft Cost

Budget Composition

Hard Cost

Construction, Fixtures,

Furniture, Equipment

Soft Cost

Design / Consultancy Fees, Project Management Fee, Permit Fees, Insurance, Contingencies

Contingencies

Allocated budget for unforeseen or other possible changes in the design or construction of a project

Design Contingencies

Money for design changes that may be needed in the design in order to accommodate new project requirements

Construction Contingencies

Money that may be needed to pay for unforeseen work or materials necessary to complete the construction work

Owner Contingencies

Money allocated by owner to possible fund additional work or materials during the course of the project

Escalation

Money that may be needed to pay for significant increase in construction cost - particularly cost of materials

Addendum

Written information that clarifies or modifies the bidding documents, often issued during the bidding process

Alternate

Additional design or material options added to the construction documents and/or specifications to obtain multiple possible cost estimates for the project

American National Standard Institute

ANSI

As - Built Drawing

Contract drawings that have been marked up to reflected any changes to a project during construction differentiating them from the bid documents

Bid

Offer a proposal or a price

Building Permit

Written documents issued by the appropriate government authority permitting the construction of a specific project in accordance with the drawings and specifications that the authority has approved

Certificate of Occupancy

Documents are issued by the appropriate local government agency, stating that the building or property meets local standard of occupancy and is in compliance with public health and building codes

Change Order

Written documents between and signed by the owner and the contractor authorizing a change in the work, or adjustment in the contract sum or length of time.

Charrette

Intensive design process for solving architectural problem quickly

Construction Cost

Direct contractor costs for labor, materials, equipment and services as well as overhead and profit

Construction Management

Organization and direction of the labor force, materials and equipment to build the project as designed by the architect

Construction Management Contract

Written agreement giving responsibility for project planning and accomplishment and overall project planning, design, and construction to a construction management firm or individual, called the construction manager

Consultant

Hired by the owner or the architect to provide information and to advice the project in the area of his or her expertise

Contract Administration

Contractual duties and responsibilities of the architect and engineer during a project's construction

Contract Over (Under) Run

Difference between the original contract price and the final completed cost, including all change order adjustments

Contractor

Licensed individual or company that agrees and perform the work as specified, with the appropriate labor, equipment, and materials

Date of Substantial Completion

Date certified by the architect when the work is to be completed

Design Build Construction

Arrangement wherein a contractor bids or negotiates to provide design and construction services for the entire project

Estimating

Calculation of the amount of material, labor and equipment needed to complete a given project

Fast Track Construction

Method of construction management in which construction work begins before completion of the construction documents, resulting in a continuous design-construction situation

FF&E

Moveable furniture, fixtures or equipment that do not require permanent connection to the structure or utilities of a building

Field Order

Written order calling for a clarification or minor change in the construction work and not involving any adjustment to the terms of contract

General Contractor

Licensed individual or company with prime responsibility for the work

Indirect Cost

Expenses that are not changeable to a specific project or task, such as overhead

NIBS

National Institute of Building Science

Owner Architect Agreement

Written contract between the architect and the client for professional architectural services

Parti

Central idea governing and organizing a work of architecture

Program

Desired list of spaces, rooms, and elements as well as their sizes, for use in designing a building

Progress Schedule

Line diagram showing proposed and actual starting completion time in a project

Project Cost

All cost for a specific project, including those for land, professionals, construction, finishing, fixtures, equipment, financing and any other project related expenses

Project Directory

Written list of names, and addresses of all parties involve in a project, including the owner, architect, engineer, and contractor

Project Manager

Qualified individual or firm authorized by the owner to be responsible for coordinating time, equipment, money, task and people for all portions of a project

Project Manual

Detailed written specifications, describing acceptable construction materials and methods

Request for Information

Written request from a contractor to the owner or architect for clarification of the contract documents

Request for Proposal

Written request to a contractor, architect, or subcontractor for an estimate or cost proposal

Schedule

Plan for performing work; also a chart or table within the drawing set

Scheme

Chart, diagram or outline of a system being proposed

Scope of Work

Written range of view or action for a specific project

Shop Drawing

Drawings, diagrams, schedules and other data specifically prepared by the contractor or a subcontractor, manufacturer, supplier or distributor to illustrate some portions of the work being done

Site

Location of a structure or group of structure

Soft Cost

Expenses in addition to the direct construction cost, including architectural and engineering fees, permits, legal and financing fees, construction interest and operating expenses, leasing and real estate commissions, advertising and promotion and supervision

Standard of Professional Practice

Listing of minimum acceptable ethical principals and practices adopt by qualified and recognized professional organizations to guide their members in the conduct of specific professional practice

Structural System

Load bearing assembly of beams and columns on a foundation

Subcontractor

Specialized contractor who is subordinate to the prime or main contractor

Substitution

Proposed replacement or alternate for a material or process of equivalent cost and quality

Tenants Improvement

Interior improvements of the project after the building envelope is complete

Time and Materials

Written agreement wherein payment is based on actual cost for labor, equipment, materials, and services rendered, in addition to overhead

Value Engineering

Process of analyzing the costs versus the value of alternative materials, equipments, and systems, usually in the interest of achieving the lowest total costs for a project

Zoning

Restrictions of areas or regions of land within specific areas based on permitted building size, character and uses as established by governing urban authorities

Zoning Permit

Document issued by a governing urban authority that permits land to be used for a specific purpose