AK General Contractor key terms

A percentage of each payment owed to a contractor that the owner withholds until the project is substantially or fully complete, protecting the owner against unfinished work or defects.

A legal claim recorded against a property by a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier who has not been paid for labor or materials furnished to improve that property.

A written warning sent early in a project by a potential claimant to the owner and lender stating that unpaid labor or materials may result in a lien claim.

The stage at which work is sufficiently finished that the owner can occupy or use the project for its intended purpose, triggering warranty periods and release of most retainage.

A written, signed modification to the contract that adjusts the scope, price, or schedule of work, binding only after the owner and contractor both approve it.

An undocumented direction or action by the owner or its agent that effectively alters the work and may entitle the contractor to an equitable price or time adjustment even without a signed change order.

A formal written question from the contractor to the design team seeking clarification of drawings, specifications, or contract documents, with the answer recorded for all parties.

A predetermined sum stated in the contract that the contractor pays the owner for each day of late completion, intended to approximate actual losses rather than punish.

A surety guarantee that a bidder will enter the contract at the bid price and furnish required performance and payment bonds if awarded the work.

A surety instrument that guarantees the contractor will complete the work according to the contract terms, giving the owner a financial backstop if the contractor defaults.

A surety guarantee that protects the owner and unpaid subcontractors and suppliers by ensuring they are paid for labor and materials furnished on bonded work.

A written modification to the bidding or contract documents issued before bids are opened, which becomes part of the documents and must be acknowledged in the bid.

A fixed cost per measurable unit of work, such as per cubic yard of excavation, used when quantities are uncertain and final payment is based on measured amounts.

A reserve of money or time set aside in an estimate or schedule to cover unforeseen conditions, scope growth, or risk without requiring new funding approval.

The longest chain of dependent activities through a schedule; any delay on this path directly delays the project completion date.

The amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project completion date, often called slack and used to manage schedule risk.

A short-interval plan, typically covering the next two to six weeks, that breaks down upcoming work into detailed tasks for coordination and resource planning.

A written inventory of minor incomplete or defective items identified near completion that the contractor must correct before final acceptance and final payment.

A fixed reference point of known elevation or horizontal position from which site measurements and grade are established and checked during construction.

Pairs of horizontal boards set outside the excavation corners at a known elevation, with strings stretched between them to mark foundation lines and grades.

The process of removing soil from high areas (cut) and placing it in low areas (fill) to bring a site to the desired design grade economically.

Mechanical densification of soil by rolling, tamping, or vibrating in layers to increase bearing strength and reduce future settlement under loads.

The widened lower portion of a foundation that spreads building loads over a larger soil area to keep pressure within the soil's bearing capacity.

Steel reinforcing bars placed in concrete to carry tensile and shear stresses that concrete alone cannot resist, positioned per the structural drawings.

A planned groove or weakened plane in concrete or masonry that forces cracking to occur at a chosen location instead of randomly across the surface.

The layer of mortar between masonry units that bonds them together and affects the wall's strength, water resistance, and appearance.

A vertical framing member in a wall, typically wood or light-gauge steel spaced at regular intervals, that supports sheathing and transfers loads.

A horizontal framing member placed over an opening such as a door or window to carry loads from above and transfer them to adjacent framing.

The panel or board layer fastened over wall, roof, or floor framing that provides a nailing base, adds structural bracing, and forms a base for finishes.

A material layer installed over the subfloor or roof deck and beneath the finished surface to provide a smooth base, moisture barrier, or cushion.

Sheet metal or other material installed at roof edges, valleys, and penetrations to direct water away and prevent leaks at vulnerable joints.

A low-permeability material that limits the movement of water vapor through an assembly, helping prevent condensation and moisture damage inside walls and roofs.

The first phase of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work, installing pipes, ducts, and wiring inside walls and floors before finishes are applied.

An accessible fitting or opening in a drain line that allows a plumber to remove blockages without demolishing finished walls or floors.

A safety procedure that isolates energy sources and applies locks and tags so equipment cannot be energized or started while workers service it.

A worker designated by the employer who, through training and experience, is capable of identifying hazards and has authority to take prompt corrective action.

Sloping, benching, shoring, or shielding used in trenches and excavations to protect workers from cave-ins and falling soil.

Gear such as hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, and fall protection worn by workers to reduce exposure to workplace hazards.