A critical document in construction, detailing the materials, parts, and labor required for a building project. Used by contractors to formulate quotes.
A blueprint typically refers to a photographic print where lines and solid shapes are rendered in white on specially prepared blue paper. It is also a term used to describe a detailed plan or outline guiding the execution of a project or action.
A unit of measurement for lumber, defined as one foot wide, one foot long, and one inch thick, or 144 cubic inches.
A building line is a line fixed at a designated distance from the front and/or sides of a lot, beyond which a building or structure may not extend. It is a regulatory boundary ensuring orderly development, promoting safety, and mandating aesthetic consistency.
A building permit is permission granted by a local government to build a specific structure at a particular site. The number of residential building permits often forecasts the number of housing starts.
Demolition involves the destruction and removal of an existing structure from a site, which is a necessary step to prepare a site for new construction.
Labor and materials that can be identified physically in the product produced. Direct costs for an apartment building, for example, are construction materials and labor; indirect costs include architect's fees, interest during construction, insurance, and builder's overhead and profit allowance.
Economic costs represent the projected costs revealed by an economic appraisal, excluding transfer payments within the economy such as taxes and subsidies.
A facade refers to the outside front wall or face of a building, often highlighted for its architectural design and aesthetic appeal.
A material or structure is described as fire-resistive if it can withstand exposure to flames of a specified intensity or for a specified period.
The term 'fireproof' refers to materials or structures that are constructed using noncombustible substances or are protected by such means to withstand fire without sustaining major damage.
A floor plan is an architectural drawing depicting the layout, dimensions, and arrangement of rooms, as well as other physical features at one plane level of a building. It serves as a crucial tool in planning, designing, and constructing buildings.
A hard hat is a rigid helmet typically worn by workers on a job site, providing essential protection from head-related injuries. Often synonymous with workers who wear them, these helmets are crucial for safety in construction and other hazardous environments.
An important economic indicator that offers an estimate of the number of dwelling units on which construction has begun during a stated period. The number of housing starts is closely related to interest rates and other basic economic factors.
Land development is the process of improving raw land to support construction. This comprehensive process involves several steps including planning, acquisition of government permits, subdivision, construction of access roads, installation of utilities, landscaping, and drainage.
A Lineal Foot, also known as a Linear Foot, is a measure of length equivalent to one foot, measured in a straight line along the ground. It is commonly used in construction, real estate, and various fields requiring precise measurement of distance or length of materials. Unlike square feet or cubic feet, a lineal foot is a single dimension length measurement.
A legal instrument posted by a contractor or craftsman to guarantee that completed work is free of flaws and will perform its intended function for a specified period of time.
Manufactured housing refers to dwelling units or modules manufactured in a factory and designed for transport to a site where they are semipermanently attached. This category includes mobile homes as well as factory-built modules that are assembled onsite into complex residential structures.
A person or entity that supplies materials used in the construction or repair of a building or other property. If unpaid, a material man may file a mechanic's lien as a legal claim for the value of the materials provided.
Overbuilding occurs when there is excess real estate construction in an area, surpassing the market's ability to economically support it. This can lead to high vacancy rates, low rental income, and declining property values.
The percentage-of-completion method is an accounting practice used principally for long-term contracts, in which revenue and expenses are recognized proportionally over the term of the project.
A plot plan is a diagram showing the proposed or existing use of a specific parcel of land. It includes information about the layout, surroundings, and spatial characteristics of the property.
The term 'prefabricated' refers to building components or entire structures that are manufactured in a factory and then assembled on the construction site. Prefabrication aims to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize construction time.
A progress payment is a payment made to a contractor based on the stage of work completed at a specified date, as certified by an agreed authority. It is commonly used in long-term contracts such as civil engineering, shipbuilding, or large items of plant and machinery.
Payments made to a contractor incrementally as work is performed; in construction, these are loan payments issued to the builder as each stage of the building is completed.
Redevelopment is the process of demolishing existing structures and constructing new improvements on a site. The new improvements often differ significantly from the old structures.
The rent-up period refers to the timeframe between the completion of construction and the point at which a newly constructed property becomes fully occupied.
Reproduction cost refers to the cost required for an exact duplication of a property, whether real or personal, taking into account the original materials, design, and workmanship as of a specific date. It is distinct from replacement cost, which involves replicating the functional utility of a property rather than creating an exact copy.
A site refers to a plot of land that is prepared for or underlying a structure or development; essentially, it is the location of a property. The site is a key component in real estate and development projects, impacting various factors from zoning laws to property value.
A spec house is a single-family dwelling constructed by a builder or developer in anticipation of finding a buyer. It is built speculative, without having a specific buyer signed before construction starts.
Speculative building involves land development or construction without formal commitments from end users. Builders anticipate future demand, contrasting with custom building, which is contractually defined.
Steel intensive refers to products or production technologies that rely heavily on high amounts of steel content. These can include buildings, machinery, infrastructure, and vehicles.
A surveyor is a professional who measures and maps out the position, dimensions, and contour of the land or structures on the surface of the Earth. This role is crucial in various industries including construction, real estate, and civil engineering.
A turnkey project refers to a type of project that is constructed or manufactured by a company and completed in its entirety before being handed over to the client, who can then immediately use it.
