FCICA CIM key terms

The process of comparing the original bid amount to the detailed takeoff-based estimate to confirm scope, quantities, and pricing assumptions align before the job is planned and budgeted.

The approved dollar amount allocated to labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractors for the installation phase, derived from the estimate and used as the baseline for tracking actual costs.

A numbered label that groups similar work or expense types so labor hours, material purchases, and equipment charges can be collected and compared against the budget line.

The expected output per crew hour for a given task, such as square yards of carpet installed per hour, used to convert quantities into labor hours and dollars in the estimate.

The cost or sell rate assigned to one unit of measure, such as per square foot or per linear foot, multiplied by quantity to build up the estimate line item.

A measured listing of all materials and work items required by the drawings and specifications, forming the basis for pricing, purchasing, and labor-hour calculations on the project.

A percentage added to net material quantities to cover cutting loss, damage, pattern matching, and offcuts, ensuring enough product is purchased to complete the installation without shortages.

The written description of what the contractor is obligated to furnish and install, including inclusions, exclusions, and interfaces with other trades, which anchors both planning and change evaluation.

A hierarchical decomposition of the installation into manageable work packages and tasks, used to assign responsibility, sequence activities, and build the job schedule.

The longest sequence of dependent activities through the schedule that determines the project's minimum duration; delay to any activity on it delays substantial completion.

A short-interval, rolling plan covering the next two to four weeks of work, used to confirm material availability, crew assignments, and readiness of preceding trades before installation begins.

The planned number and composition of installers assigned to a work area per day, matched to productivity rates and available floor space so work proceeds without congestion.

The organized movement of crews, tools, materials, and equipment to the site at job start or phase start, including staging setup and site access arrangements.

The complete set of agreements, drawings, specifications, addenda, and modifications that together define the parties' rights and obligations on the project.

A contract clause setting the time limit and method for informing the owner or general contractor of a condition, delay, or claim; missing the deadline can waive the right to recover.

A predetermined sum per day of delay stated in the contract, intended to compensate the owner for late completion rather than to punish the contractor.

A subcontract provision making the subcontractor's right to payment contingent on the owner paying the general contractor, shifting timing risk down the chain.

A percentage withheld from each progress payment until the work is accepted, providing the owner leverage to ensure completion and correction of deficiencies.

A periodic partial payment for work completed and materials stored during a billing period, typically supported by a schedule of values and approved by the owner's representative.

A line-item breakdown allocating the contract sum across portions of the work, used to measure completed value for each application for payment.

The difference between budgeted cost and cost incurred to date for a cost code or the whole job, analyzed to forecast final cost and trigger corrective action early.

The forecast of remaining expenditure needed to finish the work, calculated from remaining quantities at current productivity and pricing, plus known commitments.

A written, signed modification to the contract that adjusts scope, price, or time, and must be fully documented and priced before or as the changed work is performed.

A site-level authorization directing the crew to perform extra or changed work, later converted into a formal change order, protecting the contractor's right to be paid.

A daily record of labor hours, material quantities, and equipment time spent on extra work, signed by the owner's representative to substantiate later billing.

An alteration in scope or cost caused by owner direction, defective drawings, or unreasonable interpretation, treated as a change even without a formal written order.

A formal request for additional money or time based on a disputed condition, differing site condition, delay, or owner act, supported by records and submitted per the contract.

A contract adjustment moving the completion date to account for excusable delay, shielding the contractor from liquidated damages and preserving the schedule baseline.

A physical site condition materially different from what the contract documents indicated, such as unexpected substrate moisture or hidden deterioration, which may support a claim.

A drawing and narrative showing material routes, hoisting, staging, dumpster placement, and access restrictions, used to coordinate deliveries and protect finished work.

A designated on-site location for temporary storage and preparation of materials and tools, selected for security, access, and proximity to the work area.

A sequenced plan of when products arrive at the site, coordinated with installation sequence and storage capacity so materials are on hand but not exposed unnecessarily.

The required conditioning of materials, such as flooring, at site temperature and humidity for a specified period before installation, per manufacturer instructions.

The written installation, substrate, and environmental requirements published by the product maker, which govern acceptable practice and affect warranty validity.

A field measurement of moisture content or emission in the slab or subfloor, performed before installing moisture-sensitive products to confirm the surface is within tolerance.

A compiled list of incomplete or deficient items identified at substantial completion, tracked to completion and sign-off as a condition of final payment.

The stage at which the work is sufficiently complete for its intended use, triggering owner occupancy, warranty start, and release of most retainage.

The final submittal package including warranties, attic stock, maintenance instructions, as-built records, and final lien waivers, required to close the contract.

A signed statement by a contractor or supplier relinquishing the right to file a mechanic's lien for work or materials covered by a specified payment.