CDs Vocab Flashcards
supervision
Direction of the work by the contractor’s personnel. Supervision is not the responsibility of the architect.
bond
An agreement under which one party (the surety or bonding company) guarantees to make good to another party (the obligee or owner) the debt, default, or failure to perform of a third party (the principal or contractor).
surety bond
An agreement under which one party (the surety or bonding company) guarantees to make good to another party (the obligee or owner) the debt, default, or failure to perform of a third party (the principal or contractor).
multiple of direct personnel expense agreement
An agreement providing for payment for professional services based upon the direct personnel expense multiplied by an agreed factor
bid
A proposal by a contractor to do the work required by the contract documents for a stipulated sum of money.
reference specification
A specification which refers to quality standards established by recognized testing authorities or by the federal government
contract documents
Working drawings, specifications, addenda, general conditions of the contract, supplementary conditions, and the owner-contractor agreement
general contract
The agreement between the owner and the contractor for the construction of a project.
deposit for bidding documents
A deposit of money required for each bidder as security for the bidding documents, to ensure the return of the documents by unsuccessful bidders
certificate of substantial completion
A document prepared by the architect stating that the work is substantially complete, thereby establishing the date of substantial completion. It generally fixes the time within which the contractor must complete the unfinished work listed.
percentage agreement
An owner-architect agreement under which the professional fee is based upon a percentage of the construction cost of the project
construction change directive
A document signed by the owner and the architect, which authorizes a change in the work, the contract sum, or the contract time. It is used when there is not complete agreement on the terms of a change order.
contract time
The period of time within which the work must be completed, as established in the contract documents.
cash allowance
An amount not included in the contract sum to cover the cost of certain items not specified in detail. Hardware and other finish items are often handled in this manner.
Master Format
A systematic listing of construction trades, materials, systems, and admin requirements published by CSI for the purpose of organizing construction specs.
labor and material payment bond
A bond guaranteeing to the owner that the contractor will pay for all labor and materials used for the project
open proprietary spec
A proprietary spec which names several acceptable materials, products, or systems, any of which may be used by the contractor
closed proprietary spec
A proprietary spec which requires a particular brand or trade name and does not permit any substitution
arbitration
An alternative to litigating a dispute, in which one or more arbitrators hears the evidence and renders a decision.
date of substantial completion
The date, certified by the architect, when the construction is sufficiently completed, in accordance with the contract documents, so that the owner can occupy the project for the intended use.
project manual
The manual prepared by the architect for a project, including the technical specs, bidding instructions and forms, general conditions, supplementary conditions, special conditions, and other legal and admin docs
working drawings
The part of the contract docs, prepared by the architect, which graphically illustrates the construction required for the project
single prime contract
A contract for building construction under which one prime contractor is responsible for the entire project, in contrast to having separate contracts.
errors and omissions insurance
Insurance which financially protects an architect against claims for damages resulting from professional negligence. aka professional liability insurance
professional liability insurance
Insurance which financially protects an architect against claims for damages resulting from professional negligence. aka errors and omissions insurance
separate prime contract
One of several owner-contractor agreements for a project, each of which provides for constructing a major portion of the work (general construction, electrical, mechanical, etc) by a different contract.
substitution
A material, system, or product proposed by a contractor as being equivalent to that required by the contract documents
lowest acceptable bona fide bid
The lowest bid which complies with all the stipulated requirements.
cost-plus-fee contract
An agreement under which the contractor, or the architect, is reimbursed for his or her costs, and in addition, is paid a fee for his or her services.
prime contractor
Any contractor on a project who has a contract directly with the owner.
schedule of values
A statement furnished to the architect by the contractor reflecting the amounts to be allotted for the principal divisions of the work. It serves as a guide for reviewing the contractor’s periodic applications for payment
unit price
An amount, stated in $/unit, provided by the contractor with his or her bid for adding or deleting specific portions of the work
descriptive spec
A spec which describes all product components, arrangements, assembly methods, properties, and other details and requirements.
liquidated damages
A sum chargeable against the contractor as reimbursement for damages suffered by the owner b/c of the contractor’s failure to complete the work w/i a specified time
Davis-Bacon Act
Federal legislation that requires the department of labor to set prevailing wages for government financed construction projects
overhead expense
Indirect expense, that is, expenses indirectly incurred and not chargeable to a specific project aka indirect expense
indirect expense
Indirect expense, that is, expenses indirectly incurred and not chargeable to a specific project. aka overhead expense
progress payments
Payments made to the contractor during progress of the work on account of work completed and/or materials suitably stored
construction budget
The sum established by the owner as available for construction of the project
Division one
The general requirements division of the specs which establishes the admin and procedural duties of the contractor, architect, and owner during construction.
extra services
Professional services rendered by the architect, upon the owners request, in addition to the basic services identified in the owner-architect agreement. aka additional services
additional services
Professional services rendered by the architect, upon the owners request, in addition to the basic services identified in the owner-architect agreement. aka extra services
CPM (critical path method)
A system of planning and scheduling construction operations which analyzes sequences and durations of time using network diagrams
negligence
Failure to meet the ordinary standard of care expected of an architect or other professional in a specific circumstance
liability insurance
Insurance which financially protects the insures against liability on account of bodily injury or property damage sustained by another
surety
An individual or company that guarantees to make good to another party the debt, default, or failure to perform of a third party.
due care
The requirement that a professional exercise reasonable ability and judgment in a specific circumstance, the absence of which constitutes negligence. aka standard of care
standard of care
The requirement that a professional exercise reasonable ability and judgment in a specific circumstance, the absence of which constitutes negligence. aka due care
hold harmless clause
A contractual obligation whereby one party agrees to guarantee another party against loss or damage from specified liabilities. aka indemnification
indemnification
A contractual obligation whereby one party agrees to guarantee another party against loss or damage from specified liabilities. aka hold harmless clause
fixed limit of construction cost
The maximum allowable cost of the construction work, as established in the owner-architect agreement
addition (to the contract sum)
An amount added to the contract sum either by an accepted additive alternate or by a change order
property insurance
Fire and property damage insurance for a project during construction, usually purchased by the owner. aka builders risk insurance
builders risk insurance
Fire and property damage insurance for a project during construction, usually purchased by the owner. aka property insurance
direct personnel expense (DPE)
Salaries and wages attributable to a specific project, plus benefits such as employment taxes, insurance, sick leave, holidays, vacations, pensions, and similar contributions and benefits.
basic services
The architectural services normally required for a building project, usually consisting of sds, dds, cds, bidding or negotiation, and construction contract administration
guaranteed maximum cost
An amount established in an agreement between an owner and a contractor as the maximum cost of performing specific work. aka upset price
upset price
An amount established in an agreement between an owner and a contractor as the maximum cost of performing specific work. guaranteed maximum cost
warranty
A legally enforceable assurance of the quality of materials and labor furnished for a project, or of the length of time that a project or a part thereof will perform satisfactorily. aka guarantee
guarantee
A legally enforceable assurance of the quality of materials and labor furnished for a project, or of the length of time that a project or a part thereof will perform satisfactorily. aka warranty
express warranty
A legally enforceable promise made by the warrantor
observation
On-site examination of the contractor’s work by the architect to determine in general if it is proceeding in accordance with the contract documents
comprehensive services
The architects basic services expanded to include certain additional services, such as programming, land use studies, and so on
XCU
The exclusion from insurance coverage for liability arising out of (x) explosion or blasting (C) collapse of or structural damage to a building (U) underground damage caused by mechanical equipment
completion bond
A bond obtained by the contractor or owner, which guarantees that the project will be completed free of liens
performance bond
A bond which guarantees to the owner that the contractor will perform the work in accordance with the contract documents
supplementary conditions
Part of the contract documents, prepared by the architect, which may modify provisions of the general conditions of the contract
Pert
Acronym for project evaluation review technique. A form of network analysis developed for military work and similar to the critical path method.
Bidding documents
The invitation to bid, instructions to bidders, bid form, and the contract documents.
subrogation
The substitution of one entity for another with regard to legal rights
incentive clause
A clause in a cost plus fee contract between the owner and contractor in which the savings between the gmc and the actual project costs are proportionally shared
option
A choice given to the contractor to provide specified alternates without prior approval of the architect
release of lien
A legal document signed by a supplier of material or labor for a project, which releases his or her mechanic’s lien against the property
contingency allowance
An amount included in a construction budget, normally 5-10%, to provide for unforseen or unpredictable costs
bonus and penalty clause
A provision in the construction contract for payment of a bonus to the contractor for completing the project prior to a specific date, and for a charge (penalty) against the contractor for failing to complete the project by that date
subcontractor
One who has a contract w/a prime contractor to perform a portion of the work
means of egress
The elements which comprise an exit to the outside, including aisles, corridors, doors and stairways
float
The extra time available for a construction activity above its estimated time duration, w/o causing any delay of project completion
general conditions
The part of the cds which states the rights, responsibilities, and relationships of the parties involved, usually by means of standard docs published by the AIA
certificat of insurance
A memorandum which outlines the types and limits of the insurance coverages carried by the contractor for a project
project representative
The architects rep at the site, who assists in the general admin of the construction contract for a project
barrier-free provision
Regulations which provide for accessibility to buildings and sites for persons w/disabilities
penalty
a charge against the contractor for failing to complete the project by a specific date
record drawings
A term sometimes erroneously used to describe drawings revised to show changes made during construction.
shop drawings
Drawings prepared by the contractor, subcontractor, manufacturer, or supplier, showing how specific portions of the work shall be fabricated and/or installed
key plan
A small-scale plan of a building or complex of buildings
specs
Part of the contract documents, comprising written descriptions of materials, construction systems, and workmanship
alternate bid
A proposal by a bidder for an amount to be subtracted from or added to the base bid if the corresponding change in the work is accepted. This may be either a deductive or additive alternate
NIC
Abbreviation for not-in-contract, referring to items neither furnished nor installed by the contractor
Americans w/Disabilities Act (ADA)
Federal civil rights legislation which establishes the right of persons w/disabilities to equal access to sites and buildings and sets design guidelines for its implementation
application for payment
A contractor’s written request for payment of the amount due on account of work completed and/or materials suitably stored on site.
consultant
An engineer or other specialist retained by the architect to provide specified professional services to the architect which the architect is required to provide to the owner under the owner-architect agreement
substantial completion
As defined in the AIA general conditions, completion of a project to the point where the owner can occupy all or designated portions of the work for the purpose for which it is intended
program
A written statement of the owner’s conditions and requirements for the project
fast-track
Describing a construction procedure in which construction on each phase of a project is begun when its design is completed, w/o waiting for overall project design completion
superintendent
The contractor’s representative at the site
contract sum
The total amount payable by the owner to the contractor, as stated in the owner-contractor agreement, for performing the work under the contract documents
indirect expense
Overhead expense, that is, expenses indirectly incurred and not chargeable to a specific project. aka overhead expense
overhead expense
Overhead expense, that is, expenses indirectly incurred and not chargeable to a specific project. aka indirect expense
proprietary spec
A spec which calls for desired materials, products, systems, and equipment by their trade names and model numbers
performance spec
A spec which defines products or systems by describing end results
deductive alternate
A proposal by a bidder for an amount to be subtracted from the base bid if the corresponding change in the work is accepted
construction management (CM)
Management services performed by the architect or others, over and above normal architectural services, that contribute to the control of time and cost in the construction project
waiver of lien
A document by which one relinquishes the right of a mechanic’s lien against the property of another.
lump sum contract
An agreement under which the architect or contractor is paid a specific amount as the total fee for services performed. aka stipulate sum contract
stipulate sum contract
An agreement under which the architect or contractor is paid a specific amount as the total fee for services performed. aka lump sum contract
trade discount
The difference between the list price and the actual price paid
bid bond
A surety bond guaranteeing that the bigger will sign a contract, if offered, in accordance with his or her proposal
insurance
Coverage by contract (insurance policy) whereby one party (the insurance company) agrees to indemnify or reimburse another (the insured) against loss from a specified hazard
extra
An item of work involving additional cost
post-completion services
Additional services rendered to the owner by the architect following actual completion of the project
certificate for payment
A statement by the architect informing the owner of the amount due the contractor on account of work completed and/or materials suitably stored
clerk of the works
The owner’s job site representative.
statue of limitations
An ordinance which specifies the period of time w/i which legal action must be brought to obtain legal relief for damage or injury
TQM (total quality mangement)
An approach to the deliver of goods or services in which quality is determined by customer satisfaction and conformance to requirements
special conditions
Part of the contract documents, other than the general and supplementary conditions, describing unique conditions of a project
workers comp insurance
Insurance which covers workers’ job-related injuries, usually required by law
addenda
Statements or drawings which modify the basic contract documents after the latter have been issued to the bidders, but prior to taking of bids
change order
A written order to the contractor, prepared by the architect, signed by the owner, contractor, and architect, which authorizes a change in the work, the contract sum, or the contract time
direct expenses
Expense items directly incurred by or attributable to a specific project
base bid
the sum of money stated in the bid for which the bidder offers to do the work, not including any alternate bids
additive alternate
A proposal by a bidder for an amount to be added to the base bid if the corresponding change in work is accepted
letter of intent
A letter signifying intention to enter into a formal agreement and setting forth the general terms thereof
cds
working drawings and sepcs
invitation to bid
An invitation to a selected list of contractors soliciting bids for a project
instructions to bidders
instructions in the bidding documents for preparing and submitting bids for a project. aka notice to bidders
notice to bidders
instructions in the bidding documents for preparing and submitting bids for a project aka instructions to bidders
agent
one who acts on behalf of another
work
all materials and/or labor required for a project
approved equal
a material or method that is approved by the architect as being equivalent to what was originally specified
final completion
The completion of all work in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract documents
mechanic’s lien
A claim on property by those who furnish material or labor for the construction of a building. Clear title to the property cannot be obtained until the claim is settled
submittal
A shop drawing, project data, or sample submitted by the contractor to the architect for review prior to incorporation in the work
certificate of occupancy
A document issued by the governing authority stating that a building complies with applicable laws and permitting occupancy for its designated use
sick building syndrome
A term used to describe poor air quality, which can lead to discomfort and possibly disease
estimate
A forecast of probably costs, as opposed to a firm bid
project budget
The sum established by the owner as available for the entire project, including the construction budget, land cost, equipment cost, financing cost, cost of professional services, and contingency allowances
advertisement for bids
Published public notice soliciting proposals for a construction project
sample
A material or assembly submitted for the architect’s approval prior to manufacture or delivery to the project
retainage
An amount withheld from each payment to the contractor in accordance with the terms of the owner-contractor agreement
punch list
A list of items to be corrected or completed, which is provided by the contractor and usually expanded by the architect based on a detailed inspection of the work prior to substantial completion
