FL General Contractor flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Retainage

A percentage of each payment withheld by the owner to ensure completion and satisfaction of liens. In Florida, private retainage is often 10% until 50% complete, then 5%, while public work is capped at 5%.

Working capital

Current assets minus current liabilities. It must cover payroll, retainage lag, and supplier terms during the cash-negative phase of a project, so profitability alone does not guarantee solvency.

Change order

A written modification to the contract that defines scope, price, and time impact. It must be approved before work proceeds unless a construction change directive orders the work first.

Substantial completion

The stage when work is sufficiently complete for its intended use. It starts warranty periods, allows partial retainage release, and shifts risk of loss to the owner.

Total float

Late start minus early start, or late finish minus early finish. It is the amount an activity can slip without delaying project completion; zero float means the activity is critical.

Section modulus

For a rectangular beam, S = bd²/6. Bending capacity equals allowable stress times S, so doubling depth quadruples capacity while doubling width only doubles it.

Swell factor

The percentage increase in volume when soil is excavated from its bank state to a loose state. Bank volume times one plus swell gives loose haul volume for trucking calculations.

Bearing capacity

The allowable pressure a soil can support without excessive settlement or shear failure. Footing area equals load divided by allowable bearing pressure, verified by a geotechnical report.

Water-cementitious ratio

The weight of water divided by the weight of cementitious material. Lower ratios increase strength and durability but reduce workability, so admixtures may be needed.

Mortar Type N

A medium-strength mortar commonly used for exterior above-grade veneer and interior load-bearing walls. It is more workable and less strong than Type M or S.

Roof slope ratio

Rise divided by run, expressed as inches per foot. A 4:12 slope equals 18.4 degrees; slopes below 3:12 are low-slope and require different underlayment and flashing details.

Step flashing

L-shaped metal flashing installed at the wall-roof junction, woven with each shingle course. It directs water away from the wall and works with counterflashing above.

Vapor retarder placement

In hot-humid Florida, vapor retarders generally go on the exterior warm side of the insulation so moisture does not condense inside the assembly and cause mold.

Waterproofing vs dampproofing

Waterproofing resists hydrostatic pressure and is used below grade where water is present. Dampproofing only resists capillary moisture and is not a substitute under pressure.

Firestopping

A listed system that seals penetrations through fire-rated walls and floors to restore the assembly's fire-resistance rating. Unsealed penetrations void the rating.

Drainage slope

The fall of a horizontal drain pipe. A common rule is one-quarter inch per foot for two-inch and smaller pipe, which keeps solids moving and prevents clogging.

Notice to Owner

A written notice served by a lien claimant not in privity with the owner, generally within 45 days of first furnishing labor or materials, to preserve lien rights in Florida.

Competent person

An individual capable of identifying hazards and authorized to take corrective action. OSHA requires one for excavations, scaffolding, and fall protection inspections.

Schedule of values

A breakdown of the contract price by work item, used to support progress payments. It should track actual work completed and should not be front-loaded.

RFI

A request for information that asks the designer to clarify the contract documents. The answer becomes binding only when issued as a supplemental instruction or change order.

Waste factor

A percentage added to net quantities to account for cuts, breakage, and overlap. Common values are 3 to 5 percent for concrete and masonry and about 10 percent for roofing.

Rebar weight

The weight per foot of a bar, approximately 0.668 times the bar number squared divided by 8. No. 4 weighs 0.668 lb/ft and No. 5 weighs 1.043 lb/ft.

Critical path

The longest path through the project network, which determines the shortest possible completion time. Any delay on this path delays the project unless the path changes.

Time impact analysis

A method that inserts a delay event into the schedule at the time it occurred to measure its effect on completion. It supports requests for time extensions.

Liquidated damages

A pre-agreed sum payable for late completion. It must be a reasonable forecast of the owner's loss, not a penalty, or a court may refuse to enforce it.

Payment bond

A surety bond that guarantees payment to subcontractors and suppliers on a project. It replaces lien rights on public work, where mechanic's liens are not available.

NPDES stormwater permit

Federal permit coverage required for construction sites disturbing one acre or more. It requires a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and best management practices.

Flood zone V

A coastal high-hazard flood zone subject to wave action. Construction requires open foundations, breakaway walls, and elevation above the base flood level.

Occupancy classification

A code category such as A, B, E, F, H, I, M, R, S, or U that determines allowable height, area, egress, and fire protection requirements for a building.

Certificate of occupancy

A document issued after final inspections confirm that the building complies with the approved plans and codes. It authorizes occupancy and use of the structure.

Order of precedence

The contract hierarchy for resolving conflicts among documents. Specifications typically govern over drawings, and large-scale drawings govern over small-scale drawings.

Earned value CPI

Cost performance index equals earned value divided by actual cost. A value below one means the project has spent more than the value of work performed.