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The contractor glossary

738 words from the trades, defined in plain language for the people who do the work. Each one says where it matters on a job, quotes the code or agency rule where there is one, and links the Koira calculator, cost guide or template that goes with it.

Painting

Back-rolling Cutting in Drop cloth Elastomeric coating Latex paint Lead-safe work practices Oil-based paint Overspray Paint coverage Paint sheen Paint thinner Primer Stain-blocking primer Wood stain

All painting terms with definitions

Landscaping

Compaction Dry creek bed Fill dirt Landscape edging Landscape fabric Lot grading Mulch Silt fence Softscape Swale Topsoil Xeriscape

All landscaping terms with definitions

Cleaning

Deep cleaning Disinfect vs sanitize Dwell time High-touch surfaces Microfiber Move-out cleaning Recurring service

All cleaning terms with definitions

Pressure Washing

Cleaning units Downstream injector Nozzle tip Sodium hypochlorite Soft washing Surface cleaner Surfactant

All pressure washing terms with definitions

Pest Control

Exclusion Fumigation Integrated pest management Perimeter treatment Pesticide label Re-entry interval Restricted use pesticide Rodent bait station Termite bait station

All pest control terms with definitions

Pool Service

Backwash Calcium hardness Cyanuric acid Fiberglass pool Free chlorine Gunite pool Pool barrier Pool leak detection Pool pH Pool skimmer Salt chlorine generator Shock treatment Total alkalinity Variable speed pool pump Vinyl liner

All pool service terms with definitions

Remodeling

Aging in place Curbless shower Design-build Grab bar blocking Kitchen soffit Pipe chase Selective demolition

All remodeling terms with definitions

Auto Detailing

Ceramic coating Clay bar Interior extraction Paint correction Swirl marks

All auto detailing terms with definitions

Handyman

Caulk Construction adhesive Drywall anchor Lag bolt Shim Stud finder Toggle bolt

All handyman terms with definitions

Tree Service

Cabling and bracing Certified arborist Crown raising Crown thinning DBH Drop zone Rigging Stump grinding Tree removal Tree topping

All tree service terms with definitions

Junk Removal

Dumpster rental E-waste Estate cleanout Transfer station Volume-based pricing

All junk removal terms with definitions

Fencing

Chain-link fabric Fence pickets Fence rails Gate post Good neighbor fence Linear foot Post hole

All fencing terms with definitions

Window Cleaning

Hard water stains Pure water Screen cleaning Squeegee Water-fed pole

All window cleaning terms with definitions

Waterproofing

Crawl space encapsulation Dampproofing Efflorescence Foundation drain French drain Hydrostatic pressure Interior drain tile Window well

All waterproofing terms with definitions

Flooring

Acclimation Carpet pad Engineered hardwood Expansion gap Floating floor Flooring underlayment Glue-down flooring Hardwood refinishing Luxury vinyl plank Self-leveling compound Subfloor Tack strip Transition strip

All flooring terms with definitions

Drywall

Blueboard Corner bead Drywall Drywall finish levels Drywall tape Greenboard Joint compound Knockdown texture Lath and plaster Metal lath Mold-resistant drywall Nail pop Popcorn ceiling Resilient channel Skim coat Soundproofing Type X drywall

All drywall terms with definitions

Gutter

Downspout Gutter apron Gutter cleaning Gutter guard Gutter hanger Half-round gutter K-style gutter Seamless gutter Splash block

All gutter terms with definitions

Garage Door

Cable drum Extension spring Garage door opener Garage door track Insulated garage door Photo eye Spring cycle rating Torsion spring

All garage door terms with definitions

Appliance Repair

Control board Diagnostic fee Error code First-time fix rate Igniter Thermal fuse Water inlet valve

All appliance repair terms with definitions

Snow Removal

Ice melt Per-push pricing Plow route Pre-treatment Trigger depth

All snow removal terms with definitions

Moving

Bill of lading Binding estimate Inventory list Long carry Valuation coverage

All moving terms with definitions

Locksmith

ANSI lock grade Deadbolt Lock cylinder Lockset Master key system Mortise lock Rekey Strike plate

All locksmith terms with definitions

Chimney

Chimney cap Chimney crown Chimney damper Chimney height rule Chimney liner Creosote Firebox Flue Hearth extension Smoke chamber Spark arrestor

All chimney terms with definitions

Solar

Battery storage Interconnection agreement Kilowatt-hour Microinverter Net metering Photovoltaic Rapid shutdown Solar inverter Solar racking

All solar terms with definitions

Irrigation

Drip irrigation Head-to-head coverage Irrigation zone Rain sensor Rotor head Smart irrigation controller Spray head Sprinkler winterization Valve box

All irrigation terms with definitions

Septic

Aerobic treatment unit Distribution box Drainfield Effluent filter Percolation test Septic baffle Septic tank Sludge and scum

All septic terms with definitions

Carpet Cleaning

Encapsulation Hot water extraction Power stretching Pre-spray Tile and grout cleaning Wicking

All carpet cleaning terms with definitions

Commercial Cleaning

Cleaning bid Day porter Floor stripping and waxing Janitorial service Safety data sheet

All commercial cleaning terms with definitions

Lawn Care

Artificial turf Cool-season grass Core aeration Dethatching Lawn fertilization Mowing height Overseeding Pre-emergent Scalping Sod

All lawn care terms with definitions

Carpentry

All carpentry terms with definitions

Decks

Composite decking Deck guard Deck joist Deck post Deck staining Deck stairs Flashing tape Hidden deck fasteners Joist hanger Ledger board

All deck terms with definitions

Tile

Back-buttering Cement board Crack isolation membrane Grout Large format tile Lippage Porcelain tile Quarry tile Radiant floor heating Shower pan Thinset mortar Tile edge trim Uncoupling membrane Waterproofing membrane

All tile terms with definitions

Siding

Board and batten Cladding Fiber cement siding House wrap J-channel Lap siding Rain screen Stucco Vinyl siding Weep screed Z-flashing

All siding terms with definitions

Insulation

Air barrier Air sealing Attic baffle Batt insulation Blower door test Blown-in attic insulation Cellulose insulation Continuous insulation Ice dam Kraft-faced insulation Mineral wool R-value Rigid foam board Spray foam insulation Thermal bridging U-factor Vapor retarder

All insulation terms with definitions

Restoration

Air mover Containment Dehumidifier Equilibrium moisture content Insurance supplement Moisture meter Mold remediation Water mitigation

All restoration terms with definitions

Air Duct and Dryer Vent Cleaning

Air duct cleaning Dryer booster fan Dryer vent Negative air machine Source removal

All duct and dryer vent cleaning terms with definitions

Glass and Glazing

Curtain wall Failed window seal Frameless shower door Glazing bead Insulated glass unit Laminated glass Safety glazing Security glass Storefront glazing Tempered glass

All glass terms with definitions

Security and Low Voltage

Alarm monitoring Cat6 cable Door contact Low voltage wiring Motion detector NVR PoE

All security and low voltage terms with definitions

Water Treatment and Well

Pressure tank Reverse osmosis Sediment filter UV disinfection Water hardness Water softener Well pump

All water treatment terms with definitions

Kitchen Hood Cleaning

Baffle filter Duct access panel Exhaust fan hinge kit Grease duct Kitchen exhaust hood

All hood cleaning terms with definitions

Property Maintenance

Make-ready Preventive maintenance Work order

All property maintenance terms with definitions

Holiday Lighting

C9 bulb Light clip Outdoor GFCI outlet SPT wire Takedown and storage

All holiday lighting terms with definitions

Home Inspection

Carbon monoxide alarm Home inspection report Pre-listing inspection Radon test Smoke alarm WDO inspection

All home inspection terms with definitions

Money and paperwork

Accounts payable Accounts receivable ACH payment Additional insured AIA billing AR aging report Balance sheet Billable hours Break-even point Card processing fee Cash flow Certificate of insurance Chargeback Conditional lien waiver Convenience fee Cost of goods sold Cost-plus contract Credit card surcharge Deposit Draw schedule Due on receipt Estimate vs quote Estimated taxes Flat-rate pricing Form 1099-NEC Form W-9 General liability insurance Good, better, best pricing Independent contractor Invoice factoring Job costing Labor burden Labor rate Late fee Lien waiver Lump sum contract Markup Mechanics lien Net 30 Net profit NTE Overhead Payment bond Performance bond Preliminary notice Price book Profit and loss statement Profit margin Progress billing Receipt Retainage Schedule of values Self-employment tax Service agreement Subcontractor agreement Surety bond Time and materials Unconditional lien waiver Unit cost W-2 employee WIP report Workers comp Workmanship warranty

All contractor business terms with definitions

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Today $9,300$8,100 / $1,200

This week $25,050$18,570 / $6,480

This month $69,300$46,150 / $23,150

Money, just now

Reminded Sean Love, $1,850. Polite reminder with the pay link.

Bids, 9:44 am

Nudged Dana on the kitchen bid. Day 3 follow up. She opened it at 9:12.

Convos, 9:41 am

Texted back a missed call. Walk through booked Thu 10:00.

Contractor Glossary: Construction and Trade Terms Defined | Koira