While working on your building project or conversing with a commercial contractor, you might have heard construction terms that are too technical to comprehend. Commercial construction terminology can be confusing at times. Every industry has its own slang and jargon that may be foreign to newcomers. As part of our commitment to being the best partner for our clients, we take the time to ensure everyone on board understands the ins and outs, processes, and technical terms.
From the construction basics and designing, to budgeting and project management terms, we have ensembled an extensive construction glossary of terms and their respective definitions. Use the following lexicon to increase your commercial construction vocabulary and gain a better understanding of your building project.
We hope that this short construction dictionary serves as a reminder of the meanings of some common and other infrequent construction phrases.
A project that involves the process of constructing or expanding a building or a facility, to meet the specific requirements and specifications of a client.
Also known as leasehold improvements, TIs are customized adjustments that a building owner makes to rental space as part of a lease agreement, in order to build out the space for the requirements of that particular tenant.
A Major Capital Improvement Project is any project using financing over $632,000. All projects valued under $632,000 qualify as Minor Capital Improvement Projects.
Constructing a new building or structure from the ground up.
Projects where the primary goal is to restore or repair a structure. Renovations are somewhat synonymous with remodeling, however, the goal of a remodel is to change the structure, while the goal of a renovation is to repair the structure.
A remodeling project is a process of improving or renovating an existing structure, by making changes or additions to its current design and layout.
Refers to the construction or renovation of small to medium-scale commercial buildings, such as offices, retail stores, restaurants, small medical facilities, banks, etc.
A type of construction project wherein additions are made to the original building or structure to enhance the functionality of the building. E.g., by adding new technology, building systems, material, or equipment.
An unfinished structure with an open floor plan that lacks restrooms, ceilings, lighting, flooring, HVAC ductwork, and has little to no plumbing and electrical systems.
A structure with basic finishings such as drywall, a finished ADA restroom, ceilings, lighting, flooring, and HVAC ductwork. White box space is either ready to paint or already painted.
Usable square footage within a building space (measured from one finished wall to another finished wall).
Unusable square footage within a building space.
For example, corridors, inside walls, custodian closets, utility spaces, etc.
The main contractor who is responsible for project oversight, including scheduling, budgeting, and managing subcontractors.
Hired and contracted by the general contractor, they are specialized skilled workers who have expertise in different aspects of projects such as drywall, painting, plumbing, electricity, and other areas.
The lead supervisor in charge of the crew on a job site.
A representative who manages all components of the construction process including timelines, budget, and communications.
The person, firm, or corporation appointed by the owner to provide detailed designs according to the client’s specifications, building laws, and local regulations.
The person responsible for monitoring the buildings to which they are assigned.
This person will typically serve as the owner’s representative, managing and assessing the quality of planning, design, construction, and closeout of a project.
This refers to the architectural company listed on all required permits for the project and who oversees the completion of a construction project and handles its paperwork.
An addendum is generally issued by the owner to the contractor during the bidding process that adds, clarifies, or modifies information in an existing bid document.
A study evaluating a project’s budget, schedule, and requirements. This process usually involves designing, examining the site, estimating the cost, and reviewing utility infrastructure.
These typically refer to the minimum acceptable standards and results.
These are all the physical requirements involved with a Capital Improvement Project, including occupancy, infrastructure, and basis for a design.
In project planning and management, baselines are referred to the approved starting dates of a construction project.
Construction drawings provide visual representations of the proposed designs of buildings.
These are documents that a construction project planner submits to the project architect and engineer for approval before construction begins. Submittals may include requests for equipment and materials, technical drawings, and instructions for the construction team.
CSI (Construction Specifications Institute) Master Format is a system of numbers and titles for formatting and organizing construction information into a regular, standard order or sequence.
Conceptual plan showing rough study drawings that illustrate the basic concepts of the design such as drawings of a site plan, floor plans, elevations, and computer renderings.
Further developed plans showing high-level design features such as doors, windows, walls, etc.
Designs from the schematic design phase get refined during the design development phase to finally prepare for construction documents.
Detailed plans indicating all drawings, specifications, and addenda associated with a specific construction project used to obtain building permits.
Due to errors found in construction drawings, the building is not constructed exactly as designed. As-builts are a complete record of drawings of the final building, specifications, and work completed.
Review of plans and specifications either by a contractor or third-party reviewer to ensure accuracy and proper detail of the construction plans.
Floorplans are documents showing the layout of a building when viewed from above.
A global green building certification and rating system that provides a sustainable design framework through efficient use of materials, construction practices, building design, etc.
The outer structure of the building.
The document that encompasses the reference policies, guidelines, and development standards set for the campus.
The GMP contract is the highest or maximum price you agree to with your contractor to build your projects according to specs and drawings.
The initial stage of the wall framing, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing installation.
A written document issued by you or your representative notifying applicable parties of the official date when a construction project is considered complete.
A document made at the end of the final inspection, listing construction work that does not meet the client’s specifications.
A report that documents all materials installed, safety incidents, crew details, and work completed. It’s typically prepared by the foreman and delivered to the project manager at the end of each day.
Written documents that change the original agreed-upon project plans, price, or other specifications in the construction contracts.
A contractor’s request of the owner to compensate for a modification in the design plan or other aspects of the project. For instance, the contractor issues a Change Request for additional windows that the owner is considering.
This document is created by a property owner to describe their project’s specific requirements and solicit cost proposals from qualified contractors.
Also referred to as an invitation for bid (IFB), it is a document through which project owners request contractors to submit price bids and quotes for exact project specifications.
A means to clarify ambiguities or fill in gaps in information that appear in the project plans or specifications.
Evaluation of construction methods and/or materials to determine which have the net result of reducing costs, consistent with specified performance criteria.
How the windows, skylights, and doors are designed and arranged in a building.
Abbreviation for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems.
Abbreviation for Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing systems.
Reinforced concrete is a composite construction material that is strengthened by adding reinforcements (steel bars) or mesh within the concrete.
Concrete elements poured into a reusable mold and cured in a controlled environment are transported to the construction site for final assembly.
Aggregate is a construction material mix made with sand, gravel and other granular materials, which is used to combine with other adhesives to develop concrete or mortar.
Drywall is a type of panel used to construct flat surfaces of walls and ceilings. Drywall in construction is also called sheetrock, plasterboard, and gypsum board.
Insulation materials like foam, cellulose, fiberglass and foils are interposed between walls to keep sound or thermal energy from transporting from one area of a building to another.
A very thin sheet of wood used as a decorative cover for lower-quality wood.
A panel of wood manufactured from multiple thin layers or ‘plies’ of veneer compressed together.
Polyvinyl chloride or PVC is a type of thermoplastic widely used for making water pipes and sometimes flooring.
A sealant used to prevent water and moisture from seeping through cracks found in pipes, windows and doors.
A traditional project delivery method where the owner hires two or more separate firms to design and construct the building.
A project delivery method where the owner hires a single firm or company to perform both the design and construction of the building under a single contract.
A project delivery method where the construction manager commits to delivering the project within the guaranteed maximum price.
The IPD model involves a single, multi-party agreement between the owner, the builder, and the architect with all stakeholders sharing risks and rewards under one integrated contract.
The ILD construction model brings labor during the design phase. Subcontractors play a critical role and perform nearly 80%-100% of the labor.
This refers to the project delivery method used by commercial construction companies to get multiple projects done quickly, through multi-year contracts for a wide variety of renovation, repair, and minor construction projects.
A construction methodology where all stakeholders share common goals to emphasize maximizing value for the client while minimizing waste.
All the stakeholders (owner, designer, contractors, engineers, etc) design to the target budget and goals of the owner, instead of designing first and then re-designing to prevent cost overruns.
Management of the multi-disciplinary models of the design-construction projects which can include the analysis model, visualizations, cost models, business metrics, and engineering modeling.
CAD is an architectural software that produces 2D drawings and 3D virtual models of buildings, machines and parts.
AutoCAD is a computer-aided design (CAD) software application for creating 2D and 3D technical drawings, designs, and models.
ArcMap is a program mainly used to view, edit, create, and analyze geospatial data.
A collaborative process among construction professionals for creating and managing 3D representations of building design and construction.
A computer system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographical data.
Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) is an international supplier of Geographic Information System (GIS) software, web GIS and geodatabase management applications.
A price proposal put forward by the contractor covering the scope of construction project work generally based on design documents and specifications.
Money, often a percentage of the total project cost, reserved to cover unexpected project costs that arise during a construction project.
Funds granted as a reimbursement or bounty for particular expenses.
Damages that arise when a party to a construction contract breaches terms under their contract, and the other party’s business is damaged consequentially.
A sum of money applicable to the contractor failing to finish construction works by the completion date set out in the contract.
Cash flow is the incoming and outgoing of cash amount and cash equivalents in a business during a specific time period.
A document that specifies the types, quantities, and prices of products and services to be purchased from external vendors and suppliers.
The form required when the final invoice amount differs from the original Purchase Order (PO) amount.
An agreement is established between the project owner and the main contractor that contains a set of clauses defining the project scope, schedule dates, terms and conditions.
A contractual agreement with a predetermined price or lump-sum fee for all services provided by the Contractor, including labor and materials.
A contract that outlines the cost per unit, such as the cost per square foot or another measurement unit.
A written agreement between the owner and the contractor that pays the contractor based on actual labor, equipment, materials, and service costs plus a fixed add-on amount to cover the contractor’s overhead and profit.
A contract that requires the client to pay all costs incurred by the contractor (including actual cost for the labor, materials, etc.) plus a fixed fee or percentage of the total costs as an additional amount for profit.
Also referred to as scope of work, this document clearly states all the construction activities that will be performed to complete the project. It informs the owner about who will be responsible for certain tasks, how those tasks will be completed, and which materials will be used.
This document presents a breakdown of all items required for project completion and their associated costs.
This document guarantees the owner that the contractor is financially capable of completing the work, under the terms and conditions mentioned in the contract.
A meeting held at a scheduled time between the Owner, the Architect, and the General Contractor that covers general project management topics.
A scheduling method that calculates the minimum time needed to complete a construction project alongside the possible start and end times for the different activities.
The fieldwork order is a document passed on by the general contractor to the subcontractors listing their assigned tasks and noting directions to complete the work.
In construction, project portfolio management (PPM) is the strategic approach that lets construction companies assess and optimize their performance, ROI, resources, and processes.
This project delivery approach focuses on breaking down the project into small cycles, known as ‘iterations’ which are prioritized in terms of urgency or importance.
Computer software that includes features like CAD diagrams, dashboards, mobile time-tracking, charts, templates, and many others to improve project efficiency.
By learning the above building terminologies and definitions, you can better understand the significance of certain construction methods, project delivery models, software, and contracts. Whenever you take steps to bring your next commercial construction project to life, keep this guide of construction words handy. While this list is not exhaustive, it’s a starting point for strengthening communication between you and your general contractor. When in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask questions and request detailed information from anyone involved in your project.
And when you are ready to work with a commercial construction company with years of experience and a proven track record of success, contact Constructive Solutions, Inc. today to see how we can help you with your next project.
A document used in construction tendering to define the quality and quantity of materials, equipment and labor, as well as their associated costs.
Reinstatement involves renovations, repairs and fit-outs undertaken to an existing commercial building to restore it to its previous state.
Load-bearing walls support the weight of the structural elements above it, by transferring the weight to the foundation below it.
Relevant Resources:
Whatever your vision, we have the resources, experience, and insight to make your concept a reality, and a space where your business can flourish.
Call Us Now for Estimate
This post was last modified on November 5, 2024 9:28 am
While overall office demand has evolved, modern, strategically located buildings continue to attract employees. This… Read More
Selecting the right construction site location is one of the most consequential decisions in any… Read More
There’s a growing preference of businesses, investors, and developers for high-quality real estate nationwide. The… Read More
Retail construction is the process of building, renovating, or fitting out physical retail environments such… Read More
Healthcare construction is more complex than traditional building projects because it creates spaces where lives… Read More
When a commercial roof fails, the first 24 hours can determine whether the damage remains… Read More
Commercial roofs are important structures that protect businesses, equipment, and building occupants from weather and… Read More
Dental office construction focuses on creating a space that enhances how dentistry is practiced. From… Read More
As businesses grow, commercial property owners face a pivotal question: should your building expand outward… Read More
The construction industry is constantly evolving, with new techniques emerging. One such method that has… Read More
When leasing a commercial space whether it’s an office, retail store, or warehouse, customizing it… Read More
Commercial remodeling contractors specialize in reimagining and refining space to align with evolving business needs.… Read More