WV General Contractor flashcards
WV General Contractor · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Critical path
- The longest-duration sequence of dependent activities through a project network; any delay on this path delays the project finish by the same amount.
- Total float
- The amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying project completion; calculated as late start minus early start or late finish minus early finish.
- Substantial completion
- The stage when the work is sufficiently complete for its intended use, triggering warranty start, retainage reduction, and often owner occupancy.
- Liquidated damages
- A contractually fixed sum per day of delay that must be a reasonable forecast of probable loss at contract formation to be enforceable.
- Change order
- A written modification to the contract scope, price, or schedule signed by authorized parties; work outside it may be uncompensated.
- Schedule performance index
- Earned value divided by planned value; a value below 1.0 indicates the project is behind the planned schedule.
- Cost performance index
- Earned value divided by actual cost; a value below 1.0 indicates the project is spending more than the work earned.
- Retainage
- A percentage withheld from each progress payment until completion; commonly 5% on West Virginia public improvement contracts.
- Mechanic's lien
- A statutory claim against real property by a party who furnished labor or materials; in West Virginia a notice of lien is generally required within 100 days.
- Quantity takeoff
- A measured listing of all materials and work items required by the drawings and specifications, forming the basis of the estimate.
- Extended cost
- The product of a unit price and its quantity; summed across items to produce the direct cost subtotal of the estimate.
- Contingency
- An allowance added to the estimate for known unknowns and risk; it is separate from overhead and profit.
- Labor burden
- The additional cost above base wages for taxes, insurance, benefits, and workers' compensation, expressed as a percentage or hourly add-on.
- Bid bond
- A surety instrument assuring the owner that the bidder will enter the contract if awarded; typically 5-10% of the bid amount.
- Performance bond
- A surety guarantee that the contractor will complete the contract work per its terms; typically covers 100% of the contract price.
- Unbalanced bid
- A bid that shifts prices between line items to improve cash flow or exploit quantity errors; may be rejected as nonresponsive.
- Addendum
- A written modification to bidding documents issued before bid opening that becomes part of the contract documents.
- Concrete 28-day strength
- The compressive strength used to specify structural concrete, measured on standard cylinders cured 28 days after placement.
- Water-cement ratio
- The mass of water divided by the mass of cementitious material; lower ratios increase strength and reduce permeability.
- Nominal lumber size
- The labeled dimension of dressed lumber; a nominal 2x4 measures 1-1/2 in by 3-1/2 in after surfacing.
- Rebar lap splice
- The overlap length where two reinforcing bars transfer force; depends on bar size, concrete strength, and required development length.
- Type X gypsum board
- Gypsum board with a specially reinforced core that provides a one-hour fire rating in tested rated assemblies.
- Footing sizing
- Required footing area equals total load divided by the allowable soil bearing pressure; governs footing width and length.
- Vapor retarder placement
- Installed on the warm side of the assembly in cold climates to limit moisture migration into the insulation and framing.
- Cold weather concreting
- Placement and curing practices that maintain adequate temperature and moisture when ambient conditions fall below 40 F, per ACI 306.
- OSHA fall protection threshold
- Construction fall protection is required at 6 ft above a lower level; general industry uses a 4 ft threshold.
- Excavation protective system
- Required for trenches 5 ft or deeper unless entirely in stable rock; includes sloping, shoring, or trench boxes.
- Excavation egress
- Trenches 4 ft or deeper must have a ladder, stairway, or ramp within 25 ft of lateral travel for each worker.
- Competent person
- An individual capable of identifying hazards and authorized to take prompt corrective action; must inspect excavations daily before entry.
- Scaffold guardrail height
- Guardrails are required on scaffolds 10 ft or higher, with toprails, midrails, and toe boards per OSHA requirements.
- WV contractor license threshold
- West Virginia requires a contractor license for projects of $2,500 or more in combined labor and materials.
- Safety data sheet
- A standardized document listing hazards, handling, and first aid for a chemical; must be accessible to workers under hazard communication.