Glossary of Construction Terms

Accessibility refers to the modification of buildings to ensure that they can be safely and effectively used by people of all abilities.

Addendum is a written document that modifies, clarifies, or expands upon the terms of an original contract or document.

Adhesive is a substance that can bond two or more materials together.

Aggregate is a broad term for a wide variety of coarse to medium-grained particulate materials used in construction.

All-in rate is a comprehensive cost estimate that includes all expenses associated with a particular project or service.

An appraisal is a formal evaluation of the value of real property, such as land, buildings, or other structures.

An architect is a licensed professional who plans, designs, and oversees the construction of buildings and other physical structures.

Area in construction refers to the extent or measurement of a surface, typically represented in square units.

Asset management is the process of acquiring, managing, and disposing of the company’s assets.

Backfilling is the process of filling in an excavated area to restore the original ground level or provide support for a structure.

A beam is a horizontal structural element that primarily resists loads applied laterally to the beam’s axis.

A bid is a formal proposal submitted by a contractor to undertake a construction project.

A bid package is a comprehensive set of documents that provides potential bidders with all the necessary information about a construction project.

Bid selection is the process of evaluating and choosing the most suitable bid from a pool of potential contractors.

Bid solicitation refers to the formal process of inviting potential contractors to submit bids for a construction project.

A blueprint is a technical drawing or set of drawings that provides detailed information about the construction of a structure.

A building code is a set of rules and regulations that govern the design, construction, and maintenance of buildings and other structures.

A building engineer applies engineering principles and technology to the design, construction, assessment, and maintenance of buildings.

BIM is the generation and management of digital representations of the physical and functional characteristics of places.

CAD is a process involving the use of computer software to create technical drawings or models of physical objects or structures.

A capacity check is the process of evaluating whether a building or structure has the necessary capacity to support the intended use or additional load.

Caulk is a flexible sealant material used to fill and seal gaps or seams in various structures and piping.

A change order is a formal amendment to a construction contract that alters the terms of the original agreement.

A circuit breaker is an electrical safety device designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage.

A civil engineer is a professional who applies engineering principles and technology to the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical environment.

The Coal Authority is a non-departmental public body of the UK government responsible for managing the legacy of coal mining in Great Britain.

Commercial projects refer to the construction, renovation, or refurbishment of structures intended for commercial purposes.

Concrete is a composite material composed of a hard, chemically inert particulate substance known as aggregate.

Construction is the process of creating or assembling structures, such as buildings, bridges, and roads.

A construction assistant provides administrative and support tasks to construction managers, engineers, and other professionals.

A construction drawing is a technical diagram or set of diagrams that provides detailed information about the construction of a structure.

A construction estimate is a detailed forecast of the costs associated with constructing a building or structure.

A construction foreperson is a skilled individual who oversees and coordinates the work of tradespeople on-site.

CMS is a comprehensive software application designed to streamline and manage the various aspects of construction projects.

A consultant is a professional who provides expert advice and guidance to construction project stakeholders.

A contract is a legally binding agreement between two or more parties that outlines the terms and conditions of a construction project.

Cross bracing is a structural system that utilises diagonal members intersecting to form an X-shaped pattern.

Demolition is the process of dismantling, destroying, or knocking down building structures.

Dial Before You Dig is a nationwide call-before-you-dig program that aims to prevent damage to underground utility lines during excavation activities.

Dimensions refer to the specific measurements of a structure or building component.

A drill is a power tool or handheld device used to create circular holes in various materials.

Drywall is a panel made of calcium sulphate dihydrate (gypsum) typically extruded between thick sheets of facer and backer paper.

Ducts are conduits or passages used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to convey air throughout a building.

An equipment operator is responsible for safely and efficiently operating heavy machinery during construction projects.

Excavation is the process of removing earth, rock, or other materials to create a cavity in the ground.

A floor plan is a technical drawing that provides a scaled representation of a building’s layout from a bird’s-eye view.

A footprint refers to the horizontal area occupied by a structure or building when viewed from a bird’s-eye perspective.

A foundation is the element of a structure which connects it to the ground.

A Gantt chart is a type of bar chart that visually represents a project schedule.

A general contractor is responsible for overseeing the overall construction process of a project, from start to finish.

A GMP is a contractual agreement that establishes a fixed upper limit for the total cost of a construction project.

HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.

An inspection is a formal examination of a construction site, project component, or finished structure.

Insulation is a material used to reduce heat transfer between two bodies that are not at the same temperature.

A jigsaw is a portable power tool designed for cutting curves and intricate shapes in various materials.

Job costing is a method of accounting that tracks and assigns expenses to specific projects to determine their profitability.

A load-bearing wall is a structural wall that supports the weight of the elements above it.

A lot refers to a specific parcel of land that is designated for the construction of a single building or structure.

Mortar is a paste-like material used to bind and fill the spaces between bricks, blocks, or stones in masonry structures.

New connections refers to the installation of equipment to connect a structure to existing utilities or infrastructure.

A non-bearing wall is a wall that does not support any significant structural load beyond its own weight.

A pallet is a flat, portable platform used to support and transport goods and materials.

Particle board is an engineered wood product manufactured from wood chips and a synthetic resin or other suitable binder.

The perimeter refers to the total length of the boundary or outline of a specific area or structure.

A plat is a detailed map or plan of a piece of land, drawn to scale and showing the division of the land.

Plywood is a sheet material composed of thin layers of wood veneer that are glued together with adjacent layers.

A project manager is a professional responsible for planning, organising, and coordinating the execution of construction projects.

A PPP is a long-term contractual arrangement between a public sector entity and a private sector company.

PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride, a versatile thermoplastic polymer widely used in a variety of construction applications.

A rafter is a structural element that forms the sloping part of a roof, supporting the roof covering.

Renovation refers to the process of improving or modernising an existing structure.

A RFI is a formal document used to seek clarification from the project designer, engineer, or owner’s representative.

A RFP is a formal document issued to solicit proposals for the execution of a specific construction project.

A RFQ is a formal document issued to solicit specific pricing information for the supply of goods or services related to a project.

A scheduler is responsible for planning, organising, and coordinating the sequence of activities, tasks, and resources.

The SOW is a formal document that outlines the specific tasks, deliverables, and requirements of a project.

Section 50 refers to a specific section of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 in the United Kingdom.

A senior construction manager oversees the planning, execution, and completion of large-scale construction projects.

Specifications are detailed written documents that define the technical requirements for a construction project.

Studs are vertical load-bearing or non-load-bearing members that form the primary framework for interior and exterior walls.

A subcontractor is hired by a general contractor to perform a specific portion of the work on a project.

A table saw is a versatile power tool used for cutting wood boards for construction.

Trim refers to the finishing materials used to enclose, protect, or decorate the edges and openings within a building.

Utility mapping refers to the process of locating, identifying, and mapping underground utilities.

Utility searches are investigations conducted to locate and identify the presence of buried underground utilities.

A utility survey is a comprehensive assessment of the location, type, and condition of underground utilities within a specific area.

Veneer is a thin layer of material applied to the surface of another material for decorative or protective purposes.

Warping refers to a deviation from flatness in timber, causing it to bend, curve, or twist.

Zoning is a set of regulations that govern the use of land and the physical development of property within a defined geographic area.