Educational content only. Definitions and terminology — never calculations. Searchable, cross-regional.
Americans with Disabilities Act — accessibility requirements for commercial buildings in the US. Comparable regulations exist in most countries (BS 8300 UK, DIN 18040 DE).
Coarse granular material (gravel, crushed stone) used as filler in concrete. Measured in cubic feet (ft³) or cubic meters (m³).
A written proposal offering to perform construction work at a specified price. Also called tender in UK / Commonwealth.
Bill of Quantities — an itemized list of materials, parts, and labor with quantities required for a project.
A reserve percentage (typically 5–10%) added to a bid to absorb unforeseen costs. Not the same as profit or overhead.
Grand Total ÷ Total Area. A per-unit metric used to compare projects. ConstrCalc computes this deterministically from your values.
Removal of earth to form a cavity for foundations, basements, or utilities.
Temporary molds used to shape wet concrete until it cures. Also called shuttering.
The primary contractor responsible for coordinating and delivering the entire project. Also called Main Contractor (UK).
Subtotal + Overhead + Profit (+ Taxes when applicable). The final project figure computed by ConstrCalc from your inputs.
Hazardous Materials — inspection and handling required in renovation or industrial construction. Adds legal/permit line items.
A structural wall that carries weight from above. Cannot be removed without engineering approval.
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing — the three primary sub-systems in commercial/industrial buildings.
Cost of running the business (rent, insurance, admin) allocated to a project. Formula in ConstrCalc: Subtotal × Overhead%.
Government authorization required before construction begins. Categories vary by project type (residential, commercial, industrial, renovation).
Margin retained by the contractor above cost and overhead. Formula in ConstrCalc: (Subtotal + Overhead) × Profit%.
Final list of small items to complete or fix before project sign-off. Called snag list in UK.
Reinforced Cement Concrete — concrete with embedded steel reinforcement (rebar). Common in Asian residential construction.
Reinforcing bar (steel) embedded in concrete to add tensile strength.
Portion of contract value (typically 5–10%) held back until project sign-off. Common in commercial contracts.
Request for Proposal — solicitation from a buyer inviting contractors to bid on a scope of work.
Land survey — mapping the site's boundaries, topography, and existing structures before design.
Trades requiring specific training — electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, finish carpenters.
Materials + Labor + Equipment + Legal costs, before overhead and profit.
The process of quantifying materials from architectural plans. Typically produced by an estimator before bidding.
British/Commonwealth term for Bid — a formal offer to perform work at a stated price.
A project delivered ready for immediate use. Contractor handles design, build, and finish.
Municipal regulations governing what can be built on a parcel of land.