Vocabulary Flashcards
Addition (to the contract sum)
An amount added to the contract sum either by an accepted additive alternate or by change order.
Advertisement for Bids
Published public notice soliciting proposals for a construction project.
Agent
One who acts on behalf of another.
Alternate Bid
Proposal by bidder for an amount to be subtracted from or added to the base bid if the corresponding change in the work is accepted.
Application for Payment
Contractor’s written request for payment of amount due on account of work completed and/or materials suitably stored on the site. Also called Payment Request.
Approved Equal
Material or method that is approved by the architect as being equivalent to what was originally specified.
Arbitration
An alternative to litigating a dispute, in which one or more arbitrators hears the evidence and renders a decision.
Barrier-Free Provisions
Regulations that provide for accessibility to buildings and sites for persons with disabilities.
Base Bid
The sum of money stated in the bid for which the bidder offers to do the work, not including any alternate bids.
Basic Services
The architectural services normally required for a building project, usually consisting of SD DD CD bidding or negotiations and construction contract administration
Bid
A proposal by a contractor to do the work required by the contract documents for a stipulated sum of money.
Bid Bond
A surety bond guaranteeing that the bidder will sign a contract, if offered, in accordance with his or her proposal
Bidding Documents
The invitation to bed, instructions to bidders, bid form, and the contract documents.
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 to the contractor on account of work completed and/or materials suitably stored.
Certificate of Occupany
A document issued by the governing authority stating that a building complies with applicable laws and permitting occupancy 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, I’m addition to the basic services identified in the basic services identified in the owner-architect agreement. AKA Extra or Additional services.
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, contract sum, or contract time.
Clerk of the Works
The owner’s job site representative.
Completion Bond
A bond obtained by the contractor or owner that guarantees the project will be completely 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 architect and owner which authorizes a change in the work, the contract sum, or contract time. Used when there is not complete agreement in 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 architect 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, specs, 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 cost 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 charged 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 specs.
Addenda
Statements or drawings that modify the basic contract documents after the CDs have been issued to the bidders, but prior to taking of bids
Date of Substantial Completion
The date, certified by the architect, when the construction is sufficiently completed, in accordance with the contract documents so 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 f 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 specs that establishes the administrative and procedural duties of the contractor, architect, and owner during construction.