Professionals and tradepeople
The person responsible for the overall design.
Architect
A mixture of cement, water, and aggregates.
Concrete
The vertical structural element that carries the load of the building down to the foundations.
column/pillar
Handheld tool used for smoothing plaster or mortar.
a Trowel
The legal permit required to start building.
Building Permit
A person specialized in installing pipework.
plumber
A material used for thermal insulation, often yellow or white.
Glass wool /Mineral wool (EPS)
A horizontal structural element that spans an opening or supports a floor or roof.
a beam
A large vehicle used to move heavy soil or debris.
An excavator/backhoe
A detailed list of the quantities of materials needed.
Bill of Quantities (BoQ)
A worker who builds with bricks, stones, or blocks.
Bricklayer
A rectangular unit made of fired clay, used for masonry construction.
brick
The lowest part of a structure, designed to distribute the weight of the building safely into the soil.
foundation/ footing
A machine used to lift heavy loads to great heights.
Tower crane
The initial set of documents and drawings that defines the general features of the work to obtain a license, but is not enough for construction.
Basic project
The professional who manages costs and budgets.
A quantity surveyor
This specific type of granular material must be "sharp" or "washed" to be used in high-quality mortar or concrete.
What is Sand? (or Fine Aggregate)
A horizontal, flat structural component (usually made of reinforced concrete) that acts as a floor or ceiling.
slab
Used to ensure a surface is perfectly horizontal.
spirit level
A document created at the end of a project listing minor defects or unfinished tasks that the contractor must fix before final payment.
A snag list
Aprofessional whose primary role is to ensure that the construction work is being carried out according to the approved plans, technical specifications, and safety standards.
site inspector
A type of manufactured timber board made by gluing together thin layers of wood veneers (called "plies"). Each layer is placed with its grain running at 90 degrees to the next, a process known as cross-graining.
plywood
A specialized wall designed to resist the lateral pressure of soil or water, commonly used in basements or to manage changes in ground level.
retaining wall
A heavy weight (usually pointed) attached to a string, used to establish a perfectly vertical line or to "transfer" a point from the ceiling to the floor.
a plump bob
The document certifying the building is finished and safe.
Certificate of Occupancy / Final Completion Certificate