Pre-Construction
A written statement or list of tasks which defines the work to be done.
What is Scope of Work?
A solicitation made, often through a bidding process, by an agency or company interested in procurement of a commodity, service or asset, to potential suppliers to submit business proposals.
What is an Request for Proposal (RFP)?
Formal letter that authorizes a contractor to begin construction on a project. It's a key document that establishes the official start date of the project, which is important for scheduling and financial planning. The NTP also indicates that any necessary preconditions, such as permits, insurance, and bonding requirements, have been met.
What is Notice to Proceed (NTP)?
A written request from a contractor to the owner or architect for clarification or information about the contract documents following contract award.
What is an Request for Information (RFI)?
Contract drawings marked up to reflect changes made during the construction process; changes made by either the contractor, owner, or designer.
What are As-built Drawings?
Evaluation of construction methods and/or materials to determine which have the net result of reducing costs, consistent with specified performance, reliability, maintainability, aesthetic, safety, and security criteria.
What is Value Engineering?
An agreement that sets a predetermined cost for construction work. In other words, the contractor performing the work agrees to complete the project for a fixed amount — no more or less.
A change to the written and agreed upon scope of work requested by the customer resulting from unanticipated occurrences during the project. Scope changes may or may not involve a change in project cost or time on a change order.
What are Scope Changes?
A written and/or physical sample provided by the responsible contractor to the GC/Engineer for approval to verify that the correct product and quantities will be installed in compliance with the contract documents.
What are Submittals?
A list of deficiencies, incomplete, or unacceptable work items compiled by the engineer during the final inspection of a project
What is a Punch List?
A detailed, exact statement of particulars, especially statements prescribing materials and methods; and quality of work for a specific project.
What is a Spec Book/Specifications?
Written information adding to, clarifying or modifying the bidding documents; issued by owner/designer intended to become part of contract documents.
A collection of legal documents that outline the terms and scope of a construction project
What are Contract Documents (CD)?
A written document authorizing the contractor to make a change in the work or an adjustment to the contract sum or contract time.
What is a Change Order?
The date certified by the engineer when the work or a designated portion thereof is sufficiently complete, in accordance with the contract documents.
What is Date of substantial Completion?
A written agreement between the owner and the contractor wherein payment is based on the contractor's actual cost for labor, equipment, materials, and services plus a fixed add-on amount to cover the contractor’s overhead and profit.
What is Time & Materials (T&M)?
A 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.
What are Bid Documents?
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.
What is Critical Path?
An unforeseeable event that is beyond the control of the parties involved in a construction project
What is an Act of God?
Written notice issued by the owner of a project (or his or her agent) to notify concerned parties that all work on the project has been completed. This notice also sets the period within which concerned parties may exercise their lien rights against one another.
What is Notice of Completion (NOC)?
A written portion of the contract documents set forth by the owner stipulating the contractor’s minimum acceptable performance requirements including the rights, responsibilities and relationships of the parties involved in the performance of the contract.
What are the General Conditions?
A set amount of money or percentage of a project's budget that's reserved to cover unexpected costs; a key component of a project's risk management.
What is Contingency?
Type of financial guarantee that protects a construction project owner from non-payment, poor performance, and other issues. Construction bonds are usually provided by banks or insurance companies.
What is a Construction Bond?
A document that formally records and authorizes proposed changes to a product's design, components, prototyping, or related processes.
What is an Engineering Change Notice (ECN)?
A portion of the construction contract’s payment that is withheld from the contractor until substantial completion. Retainage helps ensure a project is completed and done well.
What is Retainage?