Allowance
A budget amount set aside for items that have not been selected yet, such as fixtures or finishes. The final cost may be higher or lower than the allowance.
Bilingual jobsite reference
Construction terms every contractor should know.
Clear English and Spanish definitions for common words used in bids, estimates, invoices, lien documents, and day-to-day project work.
Glossary terms
Alphabetical definitions for contractors, crews, and office teams.
A
B
Bid Bond
A guarantee that the contractor will enter into the contract and provide required bonds if awarded the bid.
C
Change Order
A written modification to the original construction contract that changes the scope of work, price, schedule, or all three.
Related featureProject change trackingCost-Plus Contract
A contract where the owner pays the actual construction costs plus an agreed fee, markup, or percentage for the contractor.
D
Daily Log
A daily jobsite record covering activities, weather, labor, materials, equipment, deliveries, delays, and progress.
Related featureJobsite documentationDraw Schedule
A payment schedule tied to project milestones, inspections, or percentage of work completed.
E
Estimate
A detailed projection of materials, labor, equipment, subcontractor costs, markup, and total price for a construction project.
Related featureEstimating toolsG
General Contractor (GC)
The primary contractor responsible for overall project management, site coordination, scheduling, and subcontractor oversight.
I
Invoice
A bill sent to a client for work completed, materials delivered, approved change orders, or other project charges.
Related featureInvoicing workflowsL
Lien Waiver
A document where a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier waives the right to file a mechanics lien for payment received.
Related featureLien complianceM
Mechanics Lien
A legal claim against property filed by an unpaid contractor, subcontractor, supplier, or laborer to secure payment for construction work or materials.
Related featureLien deadline calculatorP
Preliminary Notice
A required notification to the property owner or other parties that work is being performed, often used to preserve lien rights.
Punch List
A list of remaining items that must be completed, corrected, or verified before final project acceptance.
R
Retainage
A percentage of payment withheld until project completion or another agreed milestone to help ensure contractor performance.
Related featureRetainage trackingRFI (Request for Information)
A formal question from a contractor to an architect, engineer, owner, or project team seeking clarification on plans or specifications.
S
Scope of Work
The detailed description of all work to be performed under a construction contract, including responsibilities, exclusions, and deliverables.
Subcontractor
A specialist contractor hired by the general contractor to perform a specific trade, such as electrical, plumbing, roofing, concrete, or HVAC.
T
Takeoff
The process of measuring quantities from construction plans to estimate the materials, labor, and equipment needed for the job.
Related featureEstimating toolsTime and Materials (T&M)
A billing method where the client pays for actual labor hours and materials used, usually plus an agreed markup.
W
Work Order
An authorization to perform specific work, often used for smaller jobs, service calls, maintenance tasks, or defined project activities.
Turn construction paperwork into organized workflows.
BuilderMaxPro helps contractors manage estimates, invoices, lien deadlines, daily logs, and project records from one bilingual platform.