General Mix Flashcards
agent
One who acts on behalf of another.
americans with disabilities Act (ADA)
Federal civil rights legislation that establishes the right of persons with disabilities to equal access to sites and buildings, and sets design guidelines for its implementation.
barrier-free provisions
Regulations that provide for accessibility to buildings and sites for persons with disabilities.
basic services
The architectural services normally required for a building project, usually consisting of schematic design, design development, construction documents, bidding or negotiation, and construction contract administration.
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.
cash allowance
An amount 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.
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.
certificate of occupancy
A document issued by the governing authority stating that a building complies with applicable laws and permitting occupanch for its designated use.
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.
change in services ( of the architect)
Professional services rendered by the architect, upon the owner’s request, in addition to the basic services identified in the owner-architect agreement.
change order
A written order to the contractor, prepared by the architect and signed by the owner, contractor, and architect, which authorizes a change in the work, the contract sum, or the contract time.
clerk of the works
The owner’s job site representative.
completion bond
A bond obtained by the contractor or owner, which guarantees that the project will be completed free of liens.
comprehensive services
The architect’s basic services expanded to include certain additional services, such as programming, land use studies, etc.
construction budget
The sum established by the owner as available for construction 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. Used when there is not complete agreement on the terms of a change order.
construction documents
Working drawings and specifications.
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 of a project.
consultant
An engineer or other specialist retained by the architect to provide specified professional services to the archtect that the architect is required to provide to the owner under the owner-architect agreement.
contingency
An amount of money set aside in a budget to cover unanticipated expenses.
contract documents
Working drawings, specifications, addenda, general conditions of the contract, supplementary conditions, and the owner-contractor agreement.
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.
contract time
The period of time within which the work must be completed, as established in the contract documents.
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.
critical path Method ( CPM)
A project management procedure in which all events and operations are charted in a way that establishes the optimum sequence and duration of operations.
CSI MasterFormat
A systematic listing of construction trades, materials, systems, and administrative requirements published by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) for the purpose of organizing construction specifications.
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 or specified area of the project for the intended use.
Davis-Bacon Act
A federal law that requires the Department of Labor to set prevailing wages for government-financed construction projects.
deposit for bidding documents
A deposit of money required of each bidder as security for the bidding documents, to ensure the return of the documents by unsuccessful bidders.
direct expense
Expense items directly incurred by, or attributable to, a specific project.
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.
Division One
The General Requirements Division of the specifications that establishes the administrative and procedural duties of the contractor, architect, and owner during construction.
due care
The requirement that a professional exercise reasonable ability and judgment in a specific circumstance, the absence of which constitutes negligence.
errors and omissions insurance
Insurance that financially protects an architect against claims for damages resulting from professional negligence.
Estimate
A forecast of probable costs, as opposed to a firm bid.
express warranty
A legally enforceable promise made by the warrantor.
extra
An item of work involving additional cost.
extra services
Professional services rendered by the architect, upon the owner’s request, in addition to the basic services identified in the owner-architect agreement.
fast-track construction
A construction technique by which construction on each element of a project is begun as soon as the design for that element is completed, without waiting for completion of the design for the entire project. Its principal objective is to shorten the overall construction time.
final completion
The completion of all work in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract documents.
float
The extra time available for a construction activity above its estimated time duration, without causing any delay of project completion.
general conditions
The part of the contract documents that states the rights, responsibilities, and relationships of the parties involved, usually by means of a standard document published by the American Institute of Architects.
general contract
The agreement between the owner and the contractor for the construction of a project.
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. Also called Warranty.
