Activity  A scheduling term 2. The smallest work unit within a project; the basic building block of a project.

ADA  The Americans with Disabilities Act which gives civil rights protection to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, State and local government services, and telecommunications.

Addendum  (Addenda) Written information adding to, clarifying or modifying the bidding documents. An addendum is generally issued by the owner to the contractor during the bidding process and as such, addenda are intended to become part of the contract documents when the construction contract is executed.

Agreement  An arrangement between the parties regarding a method of action.

Alterations  A term used to describe partial construction work performed within an existing structure 2. Remodeling without a building addition.

Alternate Bid  Amount stated in the bid to be added or deducted from the base bid amount proposed for alternate materials and/or methods of construction.

Application for Payment  Contractor's written request for payment for completed portions of the work and, for materials delivered or stored and properly labeled for the respective project.

Architect  One who designs and supervises the construction of buildings or other structures.

Architect-Engineer  An individual or firm offering professional services as both architect and engineer.

Architects Basic Services  A recognized series of phases performed by an architect as follows: 1st Schematic Design Phase, 2nd Design Development Phase, 3rd Construction Document Phase, 4th Bidding or Negotiated Phase, 5th Construction Phase.

Architectural Drawing  A line drawing showing plan and/or elevation views of the proposed building for the purpose of showing the overall appearance of the building.

As-Built Drawings   (also known as Record Drawing) Contract drawings marked up to reflect changes made during the construction process. It is good practice to make As-Built drawings by marking the changes on reproducible drawings such as sepias for the duplication purposes later.

Bid  An offer or proposal of a price 2. The amount offered or proposed. (see RFP)

Bid Bond  A written form of security executed by the bidder as principal and by a surety for the purpose of guaranteeing that the bidder will sign the contract, if awarded the contract, for the stated bid amount.

Bid Date/Time  The due date and time set by the owner, architect or engineer for receiving bids.

Bid Form  A standard written form furnished to all bidders for the purpose of obtaining the requested information and required signatures from the authorized bidding representatives.

Bid Opening  The actual process of opening and tabulating bids submitted within the prescribed bid date/time and conforming with the bid procedures. A Bid Opening can be open (where the bidders are permitted to attend) or closed (where the bidders are not permitted to attend). (see Bid Date/Time, Open Bid, Closed Bid)

Bidding Documents  The published advertisement or written invitation to bid, instructions to bidders, the bid form and the proposed contract documents including any acknowledged addenda issued prior to receipt of bids.

Bidding Requirements  The written minimum acceptable requirements set forth by the owner to the contractor during bidding process. The owner usually reserves the right to reject a bid if the Bidding Requirements are not met. (see Bidding Documents)

Bond   (see Bid Bond; Contract Bond; Contract Payment Bond; Contract Performance Bond; Labor and Material Payment Bond; Performance Bond; Subcontractor Bond; surety)

Bonding Company  A properly licensed firm or corporation willing to execute a surety bond, or bonds, payable to the owner, securing the performance on a contract either in whole or in part; or securing payment for labor and materials.

Budget (Construction Budget)  An itemized summary of estimated or intended expenditures for a given period of time 2. The total sum of money allocated for a specific project.

Building  1. To form by combining materials or parts 2. A structure enclosed within a roof and within exterior walls housing, shelter, enclosure and support of individuals, animals, or real property of any kind.

Building Code  The legal requirements set up by the prevailing various governing agencies covering the minimum acceptable requirements for all types of construction. (See Codes)

Building Envelope   Sometimes referred to as Building Shell 1. The waterproof elements of a building which enclose conditioned spaces through which thermal energy may be transferred to or from the exterior. 2. The outer structure of the building. (See Tenant and Leasehold improvements for building interiors)

Building Inspector/Official  A qualified government representative authorized to inspect construction for compliance with applicable building codes, regulations and ordinances. Courts have ruled that building inspections are exempt from errors and omissions liabilities.

Building Permit  A written document issued by the appropriate governmental authority permitting construction to begin on a specific project in accordance with drawings and specifications approved by the governmental authority.

Building Process  A term used to express every step of a construction project from its conception to final acceptance and occupancy.

Change Order  A written document between the owner and the contractor signed by the owner and the contractor authorizing a change in the work or an adjustment in the contract sum or the contract time. A change order may be signed by the architect or engineer, provided they have written authority from the owner for such procedure and that a copy of such written authority is furnished to the contractor upon request. The contract sum and the contract time may be changed only by change order. A change order may be in the form of additional compensation or time; or less compensation or time known as a Deduction (from the contract) the amount deducted from the contract sum by change order.

Change Order Proposal (See Change order)   A change order proposal is the written document before it has been approved and effected by the Contractor and Owner. A change order proposal can be issued by either the contractor or the owner. The change order proposal becomes a change order only after it has been approved and effected by the Contractor and Owner.

Change Order Request  A written document issued by the owner requesting an adjustment to the contract sum or an extension of the contract time; generally issued by the architect or owners representative.

Closed Bid/Estimate  A service offered where only invited bidders or estimators are given access to the project specific RFP (Request for Proposal) information.  This option is for those seeking bids/estimates from a prequalified and selected list of professionals or service. For security and easy access, the RFP poster receives an e-mail showing the list of bidders/estimators and links to View the RFP Details and View any Bids as they are received.  This e-mail gives the poster the ability to file and track their respective RFP's using their own e-mail filing system. (see Open Bid/Estimate)

Codes  Prevailing regulations, ordinances or statutory requirements set forth by governmental agencies associated with building construction practices and owner occupancy, adopted and administered for the protection of public health, life safety and welfare. (see Building Code)

Construction Cost  1. The direct contractor costs for labor, material, equipment, and services; contractors overhead and profit; and other direct construction costs. Construction cost does not include the compensation paid to the architect and engineer and consultants, the cost of the land, rights-of-way or other costs which are defined in the contract documents as being the responsibility of the owner. (see Soft Costs)

Construction Document Review  The owners review of the borrowers construction documents (plans and specifications), list of materials, and cost breakdowns for the purpose of confirming that these documents and estimates are feasible and are in accordance with the proposed loan or project appraisal.

Construction Documents Phase  The third phase of the architect's basic services wherein the architect prepares working drawings, specifications and bidding information. Depending on the architects scope of services the architect may assists the owner in the preparation of bidding forms, the conditions of the contract and the form of agreement between the owner and contractor.

Construction Management   Organizing and directing men, materials, and equipment to accomplish the purpose of the designer.

Construction Management Contract   A written agreement wherein responsibilities for coordination and accomplishment of overall project planning, design and construction are given to a construction management firm. The building team generally consists of the owner, contractor and designer or architect.

Construction Phase   The fifth and final phase of the architect's basics services, which includes the architect's general administration of the construction contract(s).

Consultant   One hired by the owner or client to give professional advice.

Contract   1. An agreement between two or more parties, especially one that is written and enforceable by law 2. The writing or document containing such an agreement.

Contract Administration   The contractual duties and responsibilities of the architect and engineer during the construction phase of a specific project.

Contract Bond   A written form of security from a surety company, on behalf of an acceptable prime or main contractor or subcontractor, guaranteeing complete execution of the contract and all supplemental agreements pertaining thereto and for the payment of all legal debts pertaining to the construction of the project.

Contract Over-run (under-run)   The difference between the original contract price and the final completed cost including all adjustments by approved change order.

Contract Payment Bond   A written form of security from a surety company to the owner, on behalf of an acceptable prime or main contractor or subcontractor, guaranteeing payment to all persons providing labor, materials, equipment, or services in accordance with the contract.

Contract Period   The elapsed number of working days or calendar days from the specified date of commencing work to the specified date of completion, as specified in the contract

Contract Sum   The total agreeable amount payable by the owner to the contractor for the performance of the work under the contract documents. (see Change Order)

Contractor   A properly licensed individual of company that agrees to furnish labor, materials, equipment and associated services to perform the work as specified for a specified price.

Contractor's Option   A written provision in the contract documents giving the contractor the option of selecting certain specified materials, methods or systems without changing in the contract sum.

Contractor's Qualification Statement   A written statement of the Contractor's experience and qualifications submitted to the Owner during the contractor selection process. The American Institute of Architects publishes a standard Contractor's Qualification Statement form for this purpose.

Contractual Liability   The liability assumed by a party under a contract.

Cost of Work   All costs incurred by the contractor in the proper performance of the work required by the plans and specifications for a specific project.

Cost Plus Fee Agreement (Cost-Plus)   A written agreement with the owner under which the contractor or the architect and engineer is reimbursed for his/her direct and indirect costs and, in addition, is paid a fee for his services. The fee is usually stated as a stipulated sum or as a percentage of cost.

Critical Path   The set of activities that must be completed on time for the project completion date to be met. Activities on the critical path have no slack time.

Critical Path Method (C.P.M.)
A planning scheduling and control line and symbol diagram drawn to show the respective tasks and activities involved in constructing a specific project.

CSI   Construction Specification Institute

CSI Master Format   The CSI Master Format is a system of numbers and titles for organizing construction information into a regular, standard order or sequence. By establishing a master list of titles and numbers Master Format promotes standardization and thereby facilitates the retrieval of information and improves construction communication. It provides a uniform system for organizing information in project manuals, for organizing project cost data, and for filing product information and other technical data.

Current Date Line   A vertical line on the chart indicating the current date.