Glossary
Get familiar with home improvement industry terminology
A
Accessibility Features: Construction elements designed to make buildings usable by people with disabilities.
Asbestos Abatement: The removal of asbestos-containing materials from a building.
B
Bid: A proposal by a contractor to complete a construction project for a specific amount of money.
Blueprints: Detailed architectural plans used to guide construction projects.
Building Code: Regulations that specify the standards for constructed objects such as buildings and non-building structures.
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Change Order: A formal document indicating modifications to the original construction plan.
Cost Estimate: An assessment of the financial expenditure required for a construction project.
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Demolition: The process of tearing down buildings and other structures.
Drywall: A board made from gypsum plaster pressed between thick sheets of paper, used for walls and ceilings.
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Egress: A path or opening for going out; an exit.
Electrical Wiring: The system of electrical conductors and devices in a building.
Energy Efficiency: The goal of reducing the amount of energy required to provide products and services.
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Finish Carpentry: The final touches of carpentry work, such as molding, trim, stairs, and other design elements.
Foundation: The lowest load-bearing part of a building, typically below ground level.
Framing: The fitting together of pieces to give a structure support and shape.
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General Contractor: A professional responsible for overseeing the entire construction project and managing all subcontractors.
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HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning): Systems used to control the temperature and air quality in buildings.
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Insulation: Material used to prevent the passage of heat, sound, or electricity.
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Job Site Safety: Practices and policies to ensure safety and health standards at a construction site.
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Landscaping: The process of making a yard or other piece of land more attractive by altering the existing design, adding ornamental features, and planting trees and shrubs.
LEED Certification: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a widely used green building rating system.
Lien Waiver: A legal document from a contractor, subcontractor, or other party to a construction project stating they have received payment and waive any future lien rights to the property.
Load-Bearing Wall: A wall that carries the weight of the roof and upper floors.
MILCON (Military Construction): Construction projects for military facilities and infrastructure.
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Non-Load Bearing Wall: A wall that supports only itself.
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Permit: An official document granting permission to conduct construction or renovation.
Plumbing: The system of pipes, drains, fittings, valves, and fixtures installed for water distribution and waste removal.
Project Management: The process of planning, organizing, and overseeing the construction process to ensure a successful outcome.
Project Timeline: The schedule outlining the start and finish dates of a construction project.
Punch List: A document listing work not conforming to contract specifications that the contractor must complete before final payment.
Q
Quality Control: The process of ensuring construction materials and methods meet specified standards.
R
Renovation: The process of improving a broken, damaged, or outdated structure.
Restoration: The act of returning a property to its former condition.
Retention: The holding back of a portion of the payment to a contractor until satisfactory completion of the project.
Roofing: The construction of the protective covering on the top of a building.
S
Seismic Retrofitting: Strengthening older buildings to make them more resistant to seismic activity.
Siding: The protective material attached to the exterior of a building.
Subcontractor: Specialized professionals contracted by the general contractor to perform specific tasks.
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V
Value Engineering: An approach that seeks to maximize function while minimizing
cost and time in a construction project.
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Zoning Laws: Legal stipulations defining how a specific area of land can be used.