GA General Contractor key terms

A written modification to the contract, signed by the owner and contractor, that changes the scope, price, or schedule of the work. Once executed it becomes part of the contract documents.

The point at which the work is sufficiently complete, as certified by the architect or owner, that it can be used for its intended purpose. It starts warranty periods and typically triggers release of retainage.

A percentage of each progress payment that the owner withholds until the project reaches substantial or final completion, giving the owner security for unfinished work and uncorrected defects.

A written statement in which a contractor or supplier gives up the right to file a mechanic's lien for labor or materials, usually exchanged for payment. Georgia law prescribes conditional and unconditional waiver forms.

A list of incomplete or defective items compiled during a walkthrough near the end of a project, which the contractor must correct before final acceptance and final payment.

An earthwork operation that removes soil from higher areas (cut) and places it in lower areas (fill) to reach the design grade, ideally balancing the volumes moved on the site.

Mechanical densification of soil that squeezes out air voids, usually specified as a percentage of maximum dry density from a Proctor test, to limit settlement beneath foundations and slabs.

The practice of identifying and marking buried pipes, cables, and conduits before excavation, usually arranged through Georgia 811, so digging does not strike or damage existing utilities.

A field test in which fresh concrete placed in a standard cone is measured for the amount it settles after the cone is lifted, indicating workability and consistency rather than strength.

The weight of water in a concrete mix divided by the weight of cementitious materials. Lower ratios increase strength and durability but make the mix stiffer and harder to place.

The thickness of concrete between the outside surface and the nearest reinforcing steel, protecting the steel from corrosion and providing fire resistance as required for the exposure condition.

Keeping placed concrete moist and within a suitable temperature range so cement hydration continues, allowing the concrete to reach its specified strength and durability.

A hollow or solid block of cement, aggregate, and water, laid in mortar to build walls. Nominal sizes such as 8 by 8 by 16 inches include the mortar joint thickness.

A small opening left near the base of a masonry wall or above flashing so water that has entered the wall cavity can drain out instead of accumulating and damaging materials.

An impervious membrane built into a masonry wall at its base, at sills, and above openings to collect water inside the cavity and direct it to weep holes outside.

A detail drawing prepared by a contractor, fabricator, or supplier showing how a component will actually be made and installed, submitted to the design team for review before fabrication begins.

A structural fastener such as ASTM A325 or A490, installed and tightened to a specified tension so it clamps steel plies together and transfers load mainly by friction.

A headed steel pin welded to a beam's top flange so it embeds in the concrete slab above, creating composite action that prevents the slab and beam from slipping relative to each other.

A method of wood framing in which each floor is completed as a platform of joists and sheathing, and the walls of the next story are built standing on that platform.

A horizontal framing member spanning across a door or window opening that carries loads from above and transfers them to the jack studs or posts on either side.

Panels of plywood, oriented strand board, or other material fastened over framing to enclose the structure, brace it against racking, and provide a base for exterior finishes.

A factory-built, engineered assembly of wood members arranged in triangles that spans between bearing walls to form a roof, installed according to a truss design and placement drawing.

A layer of roofing felt or synthetic sheet laid over the roof deck under the finished roofing to shed water that gets past the surface and to separate shingles from the deck.

The vertical rise of a roof measured over a horizontal run, expressed as a ratio such as 4:12. Slope determines which roofing materials and flashing details the code allows.

Waterproof material installed at roof intersections, edges, valleys, and penetrations to direct water onto the roof surface or into gutters instead of letting it enter the building.

A material with low permeance installed in a wall, floor, or roof assembly to slow the movement of water vapor so it does not condense inside the assembly.

A continuous, sealed system of materials that stops uncontrolled air leakage through the building enclosure, improving energy performance and reducing moisture carried by moving air.

A measure of a material's resistance to heat flow. Higher numbers mean better insulation, and the R-values of the layers in an assembly are added to get the total.

Heat-treated safety glazing that breaks into small, relatively blunt pieces instead of sharp shards, required by code in hazardous locations such as doors, sidelights, and low windows.

A non-load-bearing aluminum framing system with glass, typically one story tall, used for commercial entrances and display windows and supported by the building structure above.

The overall rate of heat transfer through a window, door, or skylight assembly, including frame and glass. Lower values mean better insulating performance; it is the reciprocal of R-value.

Panels made of a gypsum core faced with paper, fastened or glued to framing to form interior wall and ceiling surfaces, available in fire-rated, moisture-resistant, and other special types.

The thickness of a cured paint or coating measured with a gauge and compared with the specification, since adequate film build is what provides the intended protection and appearance.

Finished woodwork such as cabinets, counters, trim, and paneling that is shop fabricated and installed as a finished product, as distinct from structural framing and rough carpentry.

Premanufactured products specified under MasterFormat Division 10, such as toilet partitions, washroom accessories, lockers, fire extinguisher cabinets, and signs, that are not structure or major building systems.

Under OSHA, a person who can recognize predictable hazards in the work and is authorized to stop work and take prompt corrective action, required for excavations, scaffolds, and fall protection.

A method such as sloping, benching, shoring, or a trench shield used to prevent cave-ins in excavations five feet deep or more, designed for the soil type before workers enter.

Systems and procedures, including guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest equipment, required to protect construction workers from falls of six feet or more.

A document issued by the local building official stating that a completed building complies with applicable codes and may legally be occupied for its intended use.

A credential issued by the Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board that authorizes a general contractor to perform or offer covered construction work in the state, with the business entity also licensed.