FL General Contractor key terms

A percentage of each progress payment withheld by the owner until substantial or final completion, protecting the owner against liens and incomplete work while reducing the contractor's cash flow.

An itemized breakdown of the contract sum allocated to work components, used to evaluate progress payment requests and to track costs against the contract amount.

A written, signed modification to the contract documents adjusting scope, price, or time, executed by the owner and contractor after agreement on the adjustment.

A change resulting from owner direction, defective plans, or differing site conditions without a formal change order; the contractor may pursue equitable adjustment through written notice and documentation.

Subsurface or physical conditions materially different from those shown in the contract documents or unusual for the work, entitling the contractor to notice and possible adjustment.

The stage when the work is sufficiently complete for its intended use, triggering warranty start, release of retainage, and the punch list process.

A written list of incomplete or deficient items identified at substantial completion that the contractor must correct before final acceptance and final payment.

The last payment under the contract, made after all punch list work, closeout documents, and lien releases are accepted by the owner.

A document in which a party relinquishes lien rights, typically conditioned on receipt of payment; unconditional waivers take effect immediately upon signing.

A Florida statutory notice given by a subcontractor or supplier to the owner within 45 days of first furnishing labor or materials, preserving lien rights on the property.

A statutory claim against real property recorded by an unpaid party who furnished labor or materials, subject to strict Florida notice, recording, and foreclosure deadlines.

A surety instrument guaranteeing that a bidder will enter the contract and furnish required bonds if awarded; failure may expose the bidder to the difference in price.

A surety bond securing the contractor's completion of the contract according to its terms, giving the owner a remedy if the contractor defaults.

A surety bond protecting subcontractors and suppliers by ensuring they are paid for labor and materials furnished on bonded construction work.

A scheduling technique identifying the longest sequence of dependent activities; delay to any critical activity delays project completion unless the network is adjusted.

The amount of time an activity can slip without delaying the project completion date; total float differs from free float, which affects only the next activity.

The approved initial project schedule against which actual progress and delay claims are measured, updated only through formal revision.

A soils investigation report describing subsurface strata, groundwater, bearing capacity, and recommendations that inform foundation design and excavation methods.

The maximum pressure soil or rock can support without shear failure or excessive settlement, used to size footings and determine allowable foundation loads.

A shallow foundation that distributes column or wall loads over a widened base area so soil pressure stays within the allowable bearing capacity.

A deep foundation using driven or drilled elements to transfer loads through weak upper soils to competent strata or by friction along the pile shaft.

Controlled removal of groundwater from an excavation using pumps, wells, or wellpoints to keep the work dry and stable during construction.

Temporary support systems such as bracing, sheeting, or underpinning that prevent soil collapse and protect adjacent structures during excavation.

Practices including sloping, benching, or shoring of trenches, spoil pile setbacks, and competent person inspections required to protect workers from cave-ins.

An individual capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards and authorized to take prompt corrective action, required for excavation, scaffolding, and fall protection inspections.

Systems and procedures, such as guardrails, personal fall arrest, and controlled access zones, required where workers are exposed to falls of six feet or more.

A field consistency test measuring the vertical settlement of a standard concrete cone, used to judge workability against the specified slump range.

The mass of water divided by the mass of cementitious material in a mix; lower ratios increase strength and durability but reduce workability.

Maintaining adequate moisture and temperature after concrete placement so cement hydration continues and the concrete develops specified strength and durability.

The concrete depth between the outer surface and the nearest reinforcing steel, protecting bars from corrosion and fire and ensuring bond.

The layer of mortar between masonry units whose thickness and tooling affect bond, compressive strength, and water penetration resistance.

A small opening in masonry or cladding that drains accumulated moisture from behind the wall assembly to the exterior.

Sheet metal or membrane installed at roof, wall, and opening intersections to direct water away from joints and prevent moisture intrusion into the building envelope.

A continuous system of materials that limits uncontrolled air leakage through the building envelope, improving energy performance and moisture control.

A low-permeability material placed to limit moisture vapor diffusion through an assembly, positioned according to climate to avoid trapping moisture.

The pressure exerted by standing or flowing water against a surface, which below-grade waterproofing and drainage systems must resist and relieve.

The upward force wind exerts on roof coverings and cladding, requiring attachment and edge detailing designed for the site's wind speed.

The continuous route by which gravity, wind, and seismic forces travel from the point of application through structural members to the foundation.

A wall designed to resist lateral forces in its own plane, transferring wind and seismic loads down to the foundation through diaphragm and collector action.

A combined drawing overlaying structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to identify clashes and establish routing and penetration locations before installation.

The process of comparing building models or drawings to find physical conflicts between systems, such as ductwork intersecting structural beams, before construction.

A pipe or formed opening cast or drilled through concrete or masonry to allow a service line to pass while preserving structure and allowing sealing.

An approved material or assembly that seals penetrations and joints in rated walls and floors to maintain the fire-resistance rating of the barrier.

The period, in hours, that a building element resists fire exposure under standardized testing, governing structural protection and separation requirements.

A drawing showing egress paths, exit widths, travel distances, and rated separations used to demonstrate code compliance and coordinate construction.

An official document issued after inspection confirms a building complies with applicable codes and approved plans, permitting legal occupancy.

A Florida document recorded and posted before starting improvements, identifying the owner, contractor, surety, and lender for lien law purposes.

Written authorization from the local building department to construct or alter work in accordance with approved plans and applicable Florida codes.

A Florida building over three stories or 50 feet in height, or of assembly occupancy with occupant load over 500, requiring special inspector oversight.

A Florida-licensed architect or engineer, or qualified firm, retained to perform threshold building inspections and report findings to the building official.

A documented program defining inspection, testing, and acceptance procedures used to verify that materials and workmanship meet the contract documents.

Product data, shop drawings, or samples submitted by the contractor for the designer's review to confirm compliance before fabrication or installation.