Glossary

Plain meanings for the words on a bid, an invoice or a permit: 388 terms, and growing. Where the rules change from state to state, the definition says so. For how to hire and pay a contractor, read the hiring guide.

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240-volt circuit Electrical: Circuit that uses two hot wires to supply twice the voltage of an ordinary outlet, for big loads such as ranges, dryers, water heaters, heat pumps and EV (electric vehicle) chargers. Its breaker takes two spaces in the panel, which matters when the panel is nearly full.Also called: 220 circuit, double-pole circuit.See also: Dedicated circuit, Electrical panel, Level 2 EV charger.

A

Abatement Hazards: Work that permanently removes, encloses or seals a hazardous material such as asbestos or lead paint, following specific safety and disposal rules. Many states require licensed or certified contractors for asbestos abatement, and testing is often done by a separate firm.Also called: hazardous material removal.See also: Asbestos, Lead-based paint, Clearance testing.
Acclimation Flooring and tile: Letting flooring sit in the room where it will be installed so it adjusts to the home's normal temperature and humidity before it goes down. Wood needs it most, and some vinyl and laminate makers require it too. Skipping it can void the warranty and lead to gaps or buckling.Also called: acclimating.See also: Solid hardwood, Expansion gap, Manufacturer warranty.
AFCI breaker Electrical: Circuit breaker with arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) protection, which cuts power when it senses the erratic sparking of a loose connection or damaged cord, a common cause of house fires. Most codes require it on many living-area circuits in new work and often when circuits are extended; some breakers combine AFCI and GFCI.Also called: arc-fault breaker.See also: GFCI outlet, Circuit breaker.
AFUE Heating and cooling: Furnace and boiler efficiency rating, short for annual fuel utilization efficiency, giving the share of fuel that becomes usable heat over a season. Standard furnaces rate about 80 percent; condensing models reach 90 percent or more, but they vent through plastic pipe and need a condensate drain.Also called: furnace efficiency.See also: Gas furnace, Flue, Condensate line.
Air admittance valve Plumbing: One-way valve that lets air into a drain pipe as water flows, so the drain runs smoothly without its own pipe through the roof. Often used under island sinks and in remodels; it must stay reachable for replacement, and some jurisdictions limit where it can go, so ask whether local code allows it.Also called: AAV, cheater vent.See also: Plumbing vent, Drain-waste-vent system, P-trap.
Air handler Heating and cooling: Indoor cabinet with a blower fan and coil that moves heated or cooled air through the ducts, used with heat pumps and some air conditioners where there is no furnace. It often holds electric heat strips for backup heat.Also called: fan coil.See also: Heat pump, Auxiliary heat, Evaporator coil.
Air sealing Insulation and energy: Plugging the hidden gaps where indoor air leaks into the attic, crawl space or outdoors, such as around chimneys, pipe and wire holes, attic hatches and the top of the foundation. It is usually done before adding attic insulation, often improves comfort more than insulation alone, and a blower door test can measure the result.See also: Blower door test, Combustion safety test, Blown-in insulation.
Alcove tub Kitchens and baths: A bathtub set into a three-walled recess, with a finished front panel and the other sides hidden by walls, usually paired with a shower. It is the most common tub in American homes. The drain end, left or right, must match the existing plumbing, or the bid should include moving it.Also called: recessed tub, three-wall tub.See also: Shower surround, Freestanding tub.
Allowance Contracts and payment: A placeholder amount in a bid for items not yet chosen, such as tile, fixtures or lighting. If your picks cost more, you pay the difference, often with markup. Low allowances make a bid look cheaper than it will end up, so compare them across bids and ask whether they include labor.Also called: allowance item.See also: Change order, Exclusions, Markup.
Aluminum wiring Electrical: Outlet and light circuits wired with aluminum instead of copper, found in some homes built from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s, where connections can loosen and overheat over time. Fixes include connectors rated for joining aluminum to copper; large aluminum cables feeding panels and ranges are still standard and a different matter.See also: Pigtail, Whole-house rewire.
Anode rod Plumbing: Metal rod inside a tank water heater that corrodes on purpose so the steel tank doesn't. Checking it every few years and replacing it once it is mostly eaten away can extend the tank's life; a different type of rod can also cure hot water that smells like rotten eggs.Also called: sacrificial anode.See also: Tank water heater.
Arborist Decks, fences and yard: A tree care specialist trained to prune, diagnose and remove trees safely. Certification and licensing rules vary by state and city; for large trees near the house or power lines, ask about training, insurance and how limbs will be lowered without damage.Also called: tree surgeon.See also: Stump grinding.
Architectural shingle Roofing: An asphalt shingle made of two or more bonded layers, giving a thicker, textured look that resembles wood shakes. It is the most common residential shingle today and usually carries a longer warranty and a higher wind rating than a three-tab shingle.Also called: dimensional shingle, laminated shingle.See also: Three-tab shingle, Square.
Armored cable Electrical: Insulated wires wrapped in a flexible spiral metal jacket, used where cable is exposed or where local rules call for metal protection. Some cities require metal-clad cable or conduit throughout the house instead of plastic-sheathed cable, which adds labor to a bid.Also called: MC cable, AC cable, metal-clad cable.See also: Conduit, Nonmetallic sheathed cable.
Asbestos Hazards: A fibrous mineral once common in pipe and boiler wrap, floor tile, ceiling texture, siding and roofing, especially in homes built before about 1980. Intact material is low risk, but cutting, sanding or tearing it out releases fibers linked to lung disease, so have suspect material tested before it is disturbed.See also: Abatement, Vermiculite insulation, Containment.
Asphalt paving Concrete and masonry: Crushed stone and sand bound with petroleum-based asphalt, laid hot and rolled smooth for driveways and paths. It is flexible and quick to install but softens in heat and needs crack filling and sealcoating; a new layer can go over sound asphalt, but a failed base means rebuilding from the ground up.Also called: blacktop, asphalt driveway.See also: Sealcoat, Compacted base.
Attic baffle Insulation and energy: Channel of foam, cardboard or plastic fastened between rafters at the low edges of the roof, keeping insulation from blocking the vents there so outside air can flow up under the roof deck. A bid to add attic insulation should include them wherever the attic has those eave vents.Also called: rafter vent, insulation baffle, eave baffle.See also: Blown-in insulation, Air sealing.
Auxiliary heat Heating and cooling: Backup heat, usually electric coils in the air handler, that a heat pump calls on when it can't keep up in very cold weather or while it defrosts. It uses much more electricity than the heat pump itself, so sizing the system well and setting the thermostat to limit it both matter.Also called: heat strips, backup heat, emergency heat.See also: Heat pump, Air handler, Dual-fuel system.

B

Backflow preventer Decks, fences and yard: A valve assembly that stops water from a lawn sprinkler system or similar connection from flowing backward into the drinking water supply. Most water utilities require one on irrigation systems, and many require yearly testing of certain types by a certified tester; rules vary by locality.Also called: backflow device, backflow assembly.See also: Irrigation system.
Backsplash Kitchens and baths: The wall covering between a countertop and the upper cabinets, or behind a range or sink, that protects the wall from splashes and grease. It may be a short strip of the countertop material or full-height tile; bids should state its height, material, edge finish and outlet adjustments.Also called: splash.See also: Tile edge trim, Quartz countertop.
Baluster Decks, fences and yard: One of the vertical pickets or posts that fill the space between a guard's top rail and the deck, porch or stairs. Most codes limit the gaps so a 4-inch sphere cannot pass through, which keeps small children from slipping between them.Also called: spindle, picket.See also: Guard.
Baseboard Walls, paint and trim: Trim board run along the bottom of a wall where it meets the floor, covering the rough edge of the wall and taking knocks from feet and vacuums. New flooring often means pulling it off and resetting or replacing it, so check whether a flooring bid includes that.Also called: base, base trim.See also: Shoe molding, Casing, Paint-grade trim.
Bathroom exhaust fan Kitchens and baths: A ceiling or wall fan that pulls moist air out of a bathroom to prevent mold, peeling paint and fogged mirrors. It must vent outdoors through a duct, not into the attic. Size it to the room and check its noise rating; a timer or humidity sensor keeps it running long enough.Also called: bath fan, vent fan.See also: Sone rating.
Batt insulation Insulation and energy: Precut blankets of fiberglass or mineral wool sized to fit between wall studs, floor joists and attic framing. It works only as well as it is installed; gaps, squashed sections and poor fit around wires and pipes cut its performance, so careful cutting matters as much as the label.Also called: fiberglass batts, insulation rolls.See also: R-value, Mineral wool insulation, Blown-in insulation.
Beam Structure and framing: A large horizontal member of lumber, engineered wood or steel that carries joists or walls above and passes the weight to posts, columns or foundation walls. Removing a wall or post usually means adding or upsizing a beam, which should be sized by an engineer or from published span tables.Also called: girder.See also: Load-bearing wall, Engineered lumber, Header.
Bid Contracts and payment: A contractor's written offer to do a defined job for a stated price, often in competition with other contractors. Compare bids line by line for the same scope, materials and schedule; the lowest total often leaves something out.Also called: proposal.See also: Estimate, Quote, Scope of work.
Black iron pipe Plumbing: Threaded steel pipe with a dark finish, the traditional material for natural gas and propane lines inside the house. New or altered gas piping is usually pressure-tested and inspected before the gas is turned on; many places require a licensed installer and a permit, though rules vary.Also called: black steel pipe, gas pipe.See also: CSST gas line, Sediment trap.
Blower door test Insulation and energy: Test that fits a powerful fan into an exterior doorway to pull air out of the house, then measures how leaky it is, often reported as ACH50, air changes per hour at a standard test pressure. Auditors use it to find leaks and confirm air sealing worked, and some codes require it for new homes.See also: Air sealing, Energy audit.
Blown-in insulation Insulation and energy: Loose fibers of cellulose, made from recycled paper treated against fire, or fiberglass, blown in with a hose to form an even layer in attics. It fills around obstacles better than batts, and in closed walls it can be packed tightly through small holes, called dense-pack. Bids should state settled depth and R-value.Also called: loose-fill insulation, blown cellulose, dense-pack.See also: R-value, Attic baffle, Air sealing.
Boiler Heating and cooling: Heating appliance that warms water, or in older systems makes steam, and sends it through pipes to radiators, baseboard units or tubing in floors. A replacement bid should say whether existing radiators and piping stay and should cover pumps, controls, venting and the expansion tank.Also called: hydronic heater.See also: AFUE, Flue.
Bonding Electrical: Connecting metal water pipes, gas pipes and other metal parts of a house to the electrical grounding system with wire and clamps. It keeps an electrical fault from leaving a pipe or fixture charged and dangerous to touch; panel and service work often includes bringing bonding up to current code.See also: CSST gas line, Electrical panel, Whole-house surge protector.
Broom finish Concrete and masonry: A concrete surface texture made by dragging a stiff broom across fresh concrete, leaving fine ridges that give good traction underfoot. It is the standard, plainest finish for driveways, sidewalks and patios.See also: Stamped concrete, Exposed aggregate.
Building code Permits and codes: The minimum construction rules a state or local government adopts for structure, fire safety, plumbing, electrical, energy use and accessibility. Most places adopt national model codes, often with local changes, and update every few years, so work that passed decades ago may not pass now.Also called: code, residential code.See also: Building permit, Code upgrade, Building department.
Building department Permits and codes: The city or county office that issues building permits, reviews plans and sends inspectors to check the work. It can tell you whether a project needs a permit, what was permitted at your address in the past, and whether any permits are still open.Also called: permit office, building and safety.See also: Building permit, Permit inspection, Building code.
Building permit Permits and codes: Written permission from the local building department to do construction, repair or replacement work that the local code covers; inspections follow. Usually the contractor pulls it, and a bid should say who does and whether permit fees are included. Which jobs need one varies by city and county.Also called: permit.See also: Building department, Permit inspection, Owner-builder.

C

Cabinet box Kitchens and baths: The body of a cabinet: sides, bottom, back and top, without doors or drawers. It is usually plywood or particleboard; plywood holds screws and shrugs off water better, while good particleboard with sealed edges is flat and stiff. Check the sink base most, since leaks hit it first.Also called: carcass, cabinet case.See also: Face-frame cabinet, Frameless cabinet.
Cabinet refacing Kitchens and baths: Keeping existing cabinet boxes and covering their exposed faces with new veneer, while replacing doors, drawer fronts and usually hardware. It is less work and waste than new cabinets but keeps the old layout, so it makes sense only when the boxes are sound and the layout works.See also: Cabinet box, Soft-close hardware.
Call 811 Decks, fences and yard: The national phone number, also reachable online, for requesting free marking of buried utility lines before any digging. Rules vary by state, but most require notice a few business days ahead. Only public utility lines are marked, not private ones such as sprinkler pipes or a line to a detached garage.Also called: call before you dig, utility locate, dig ticket.See also: Fence post, Property survey, Irrigation system.
Carbon monoxide Hazards: A colorless, odorless poisonous gas (CO) produced when fuel burns in furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, generators and cars. Blocked flues and cracked heat exchangers can leak it indoors; most codes require CO alarms near sleeping areas in homes with fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage.Also called: CO.See also: Chimney liner.
Carpet pad Flooring and tile: The cushion laid under wall-to-wall carpet, usually rebonded foam, solid foam, felt or rubber, rated by thickness and density. Pad that is too thick or soft lets carpet flex and wear out early, and many carpet warranties require pad that meets the maker's specification.Also called: carpet cushion, carpet padding.See also: Carpet stretching, Manufacturer warranty.
Carpet seam Flooring and tile: The joint where two pieces of carpet meet, usually bonded with heat-activated tape underneath, needed because carpet comes in fixed roll widths. Good installers keep seams out of doorways and main traffic paths; ask to see the seam layout before the carpet is cut.See also: Carpet stretching, Carpet pad.
Carpet stretching Flooring and tile: Pulling wall-to-wall carpet tight with a power stretcher, a tool braced against the opposite wall, before hooking it onto tack strips (thin boards with angled pins along the walls). Carpet laid loose can ripple; restretching fixes that if the carpet is otherwise sound.Also called: power stretching, restretching.See also: Carpet seam, Carpet pad.
Casing Walls, paint and trim: Trim that frames a door or window opening, covering the gap between the jamb (the frame the door or window sits in) and the wall. New doors or windows can disturb it, so ask whether a bid reuses the old casing, installs new or leaves it for you.Also called: door casing, window casing.See also: Baseboard, Crown molding, Stain-grade trim.
Cast iron drain pipe Plumbing: Heavy metal pipe used for drains, the main stack and sewer lines in many homes built before plastic took over in the 1970s and 80s, and still used where quiet drains matter. Over decades it can rust through, crack along the bottom or scale up inside; a camera inspection shows whether to repair a section or replace the run.See also: Sewer camera inspection, Drain-waste-vent system, PVC pipe.
Caulk Siding and exterior: A paste, usually acrylic latex or a latex blend, squeezed into small gaps around trim, siding and windows to close them against air and water. It is easy to smooth and paint but stretches less than a true sealant, so it suits small, stable joints and needs touching up as it ages and cracks.See also: Sealant, Exterior trim.
Cement backer board Flooring and tile: Rigid panels of cement reinforced with fiberglass mesh, screwed down as a base for tile on walls and floors; fiber-cement and foam boards do the same job. It won't rot or crumble when wet but is not waterproof on its own, so showers still need a waterproofing membrane.Also called: backer board, cement board, tile backer.See also: Waterproofing membrane, Thinset mortar, Uncoupling membrane.
Central air conditioner Heating and cooling: Cooling system with an outdoor condenser and an indoor coil that chills house air and sends it through the ductwork. A replacement bid should name the size in tons, the SEER2 rating and the refrigerant, and say whether the indoor coil, line set and pad are replaced too.Also called: central AC, split system.See also: Condenser, Evaporator coil, SEER2.
Ceramic tile Flooring and tile: Tile made from fired clay with a glaze baked onto the face. It is softer and more porous than porcelain and easier to cut, and suits walls and light-traffic floors; a chip shows the clay color underneath. Check the maker's rating before using it on floors or outdoors.See also: Porcelain tile, Grout, Thinset mortar.
Certificate of insurance Contracts and payment: A one-page summary from a contractor's insurance agent listing their policies, coverage limits and expiration dates. Ask for it before work starts and call the agent listed to confirm the policy is active; a certificate can be out of date or fake.Also called: COI, proof of insurance.See also: General liability insurance, Workers' compensation insurance.
Certificate of occupancy Permits and codes: A document from the building department stating that a new building, addition or converted space meets code and may be lived in or used. It is typical for new homes, additions and changes of use; most smaller remodels close out with a passed final inspection instead.Also called: CO, occupancy permit.See also: Final inspection, Building permit.
Chair-height toilet Kitchens and baths: A toilet with the seat about 17 to 19 inches off the floor, a few inches taller than a standard bowl and close to dining-chair height, which makes sitting and standing easier. It suits most adults and anyone with knee or hip trouble, but can be too tall for children and shorter users.Also called: tall toilet, ADA-height toilet.See also: Flush volume, Grab bar.
Change order Contracts and payment: A written, signed amendment to a contract that changes the scope, price or schedule after work has begun. Get every change in writing, with its cost and time impact, before that work is done; verbal changes are a leading cause of billing disputes at the end of a job.See also: Scope of work, Allowance, Fixed-price contract.
Chimney cap Concrete and masonry: A metal hood with screened sides fastened over the top of the chimney flue to keep out rain, animals and debris and to stop sparks from escaping. It is separate from the crown; a missing cap is a common cause of water inside the chimney.Also called: rain cap, spark arrestor.See also: Chimney crown, Chimney liner.
Chimney crown Concrete and masonry: The sloped slab of concrete or mortar covering the top of a masonry chimney around the flue, shedding water off the brick. Thin mortar crowns crack and let water in; a sound crown overhangs the brick and leaves a gap or flexible seal where it meets the flue.Also called: chimney wash.See also: Chimney cap, Spalling, Repointing.
Chimney liner Concrete and masonry: The clay tile, metal or cast-in-place lining inside a chimney that contains heat and exhaust gases and protects the masonry around it. A cracked or missing liner is a fire and carbon monoxide risk, and a new furnace, water heater or wood stove may need a new or resized metal liner.Also called: flue liner.See also: Chimney cap, Carbon monoxide.
Circuit breaker Electrical: Switch in the electrical panel that trips off automatically when a circuit draws more current than its wire can safely carry, or when wires short together. A breaker that trips again and again is a warning sign to investigate, never something to solve with a larger breaker.See also: Electrical panel, Wire gauge, AFCI breaker.
Cleanout Plumbing: Capped opening on a drain or sewer line that gives a plumber a straight path in with a snake or camera. If a home has no usable cleanout, a bid may add one outside; it makes future clogs faster and easier to clear than pulling a toilet or going in through the roof.See also: Drain snaking, Sewer camera inspection, Sewer line.
Clearance testing Hazards: Sampling done after hazardous material work, such as air tests after asbestos removal, dust wipes after lead abatement or air and surface samples after mold cleanup, to confirm the area is safe to use again. It is best done by an independent tester, not the contractor who did the work.Also called: clearance test, post-remediation verification.See also: Abatement, Mold remediation, Containment.
Closed-cell spray foam Insulation and energy: Dense, rigid spray foam with a high R-value per inch that also blocks air and most moisture and stiffens what it is sprayed on. It suits basement walls, the band of framing above the foundation and tight spaces; installers follow strict mixing rules, and occupants usually stay out for a set time during and after spraying.Also called: two-pound foam, closed-cell foam.See also: Open-cell spray foam, Vapor retarder, Rigid foam board.
Code upgrade Permits and codes: Work required to bring existing parts of a house up to current code when a project touches them, such as adding smoke alarms or updating outlets near water. Bids sometimes leave these out or list them as possible extras; ask what upgrades the inspector is likely to require.Also called: code correction, bring to code.See also: Building code, Permit inspection, Change order.
Combustion safety test Insulation and energy: Checks on gas-, oil- or propane-burning appliances for carbon monoxide and for proper drafting up the flue, run with exhaust fans on to mimic worst-case conditions. Energy auditors do it before and after air sealing, because a tighter house can pull exhaust back indoors.Also called: worst-case draft test.See also: Energy audit, Air sealing, Flue.
Compacted base Concrete and masonry: Layers of crushed stone or gravel spread and packed with a vibrating plate or roller under concrete, pavers or asphalt. The base, not the surface, does most of the work of preventing sinking and frost heave, so ask how deep it will be and how it will be compacted.Also called: gravel base, aggregate base, sub-base.See also: Pavers, Asphalt paving, Segmental retaining wall.
Condensate line Heating and cooling: Small drain pipe that carries away water condensed from humid air at an air conditioner coil, high-efficiency furnace or heat pump. Clogs cause overflows and ceiling stains; many installs add a float switch that shuts the system off before water spills, or a small pump where water can't drain downhill.Also called: condensate drain, condensate pump.See also: Evaporator coil, AFUE.
Condenser Heating and cooling: Outdoor unit of a central air conditioner or heat pump, holding the compressor, a large fan and a coil that releases indoor heat outside. It should sit level on a pad with clear space around it, and is usually replaced together with the indoor coil.Also called: outdoor unit, condensing unit.See also: Evaporator coil, Line set, Matched system.
Conduit Electrical: Metal or plastic tubing that wires are pulled through, used outdoors, underground, in unfinished spaces and, in some cities, throughout the house. It protects wire from damage and makes future rewiring easier, but takes more labor than running cable.See also: Armored cable, Nonmetallic sheathed cable.
Containment Hazards: Plastic sheeting, zippered doors and taped seams that seal off a work area so dust, mold spores or lead and asbestos debris do not spread through the house. It is often paired with a negative air machine, a HEPA-filtered fan that exhausts outdoors so air flows into the work area, not out of it.See also: HEPA, Mold remediation, Abatement.
Contingency Pricing: Money set aside in a project budget for surprises, such as rot behind a wall or a price increase. Homeowners commonly keep one for remodels; when a contractor builds one into a bid, ask how it gets spent and whether any unused part comes back to you.Also called: contingency fund, contingency reserve.See also: Allowance, Change order.
Contractor bond Contracts and payment: A guarantee the contractor buys from a surety company that pays valid claims, up to the bond amount, if the contractor breaks licensing law or contract terms. Many states require one for licensing, and rules vary; the amount is often small next to a large job, and it is not insurance.Also called: license bond, surety bond.See also: Contractor license, General liability insurance.
Contractor financing Contracts and payment: A loan or credit line arranged through the contractor, usually from a lender they work with, to pay for the job. It is convenient, but compare its rate, fees and term with a bank or credit union loan, and judge the price of the work separately from the financing offer.Also called: in-house financing, home improvement loan.See also: Deferred interest, Right to cancel.
Contractor license Contracts and payment: Government permission to do construction work for hire, issued by a state, county or city depending on where you live. Rules vary widely: some states license most contractors, others only certain trades or larger jobs. Look up the license number with the issuing agency before you sign.Also called: license number.See also: Contractor bond, General contractor, Owner-builder.
Control joint Concrete and masonry: A straight groove cut or tooled into a concrete slab at planned spacing so that when the concrete shrinks and cracks, the crack forms neatly at the bottom of the groove instead of wandering across the surface. Too few or too-shallow joints lead to random cracking.Also called: contraction joint, saw cut.See also: Curing, Rebar, Sealant.
Copper pipe Plumbing: Metal water supply pipe joined by soldering or by press or push-on fittings. It comes in wall thicknesses called Type K, L and M, from thickest to thinnest; L and M are both common in houses, so if two repipe bids differ, ask which type each one quotes.See also: PEX pipe, Repipe.
Corner bead Walls, paint and trim: A metal, vinyl or paper-faced angle fastened over outside drywall corners to give a straight, hard edge for joint compound to finish against. Dented or cracking bead at a busy corner usually has to be cut out and replaced rather than patched over.See also: Drywall, Joint compound.
Cost-plus contract Contracts and payment: An agreement where you pay the contractor's actual costs for labor and materials plus an agreed fee, either a percentage of those costs or a fixed amount. It is open book and suits work that is hard to define, but the final price is uncertain, so ask for regular cost reports and consider a cap.Also called: cost-plus, cost plus fee.See also: Fixed-price contract, Time and materials, Not-to-exceed.
Crawl space Structure and framing: A shallow open area between the ground and the first floor, usually too low to stand in, enclosed by short foundation walls. It gives access to pipes, wiring and ducts; ask how a contractor will handle moisture, standing water or damaged framing found down there.See also: Foundation, Joist, Moisture meter.
Crawl space encapsulation Insulation and energy: Sealing a crawl space with a heavy plastic liner over the ground and up the walls, closing the outside vents and controlling humidity, often with a dehumidifier or a small supply of conditioned air. Whether it fits depends on drainage and local code; fix any standing water first.Also called: sealed crawl space, conditioned crawl space.See also: Vapor retarder, Dehumidifier, Sump pump.
Crew Pricing: The workers who do one part of a job, often a skilled tradesperson with a helper. Pricewright prices each crew at its own trade's local wage, so a drywall repair with separate hanging and finishing crews reflects what each of those trades earns in your area.See also: Labor rate, Loaded wage, Productivity.
Crown molding Walls, paint and trim: Decorative trim installed where walls meet the ceiling, usually set at an angle so it bridges the corner. The angled corner cuts are fussy and walls and ceilings are rarely straight, so it is among the slower trims to install and is usually priced by the linear foot.Also called: crown.See also: Baseboard, Paint-grade trim, Linear foot.
CSST gas line Plumbing: Flexible stainless steel gas tubing with a plastic jacket, short for corrugated stainless steel tubing, usually yellow or black. It goes in faster than threaded pipe, but codes and installation instructions call for it to be bonded to the home's electrical grounding to lower the risk of lightning damage.Also called: flexible gas line, corrugated stainless steel tubing.See also: Black iron pipe, Bonding, Sediment trap.
Curbless shower Kitchens and baths: A shower with no raised curb to step over, so the floor runs level from the bathroom into the shower. The shower floor must be recessed or the room floor built up so water still slopes to the drain, often a long linear drain, which makes it more involved than a standard shower.Also called: zero-threshold shower, barrier-free shower, roll-in shower.See also: Shower pan, Waterproofing membrane, Grab bar.
Curing Concrete and masonry: Keeping new concrete damp and at a moderate temperature for several days, using water, covers or a sprayed-on compound, so it gains full strength as it hardens. Concrete that dries out too fast ends up weaker at the surface and more likely to crack, flake or turn powdery.See also: Control joint, Spalling.
Cutting in Walls, paint and trim: Brushing a clean paint line where a wall meets the ceiling, trim or another color, before rolling the open areas. It takes a large share of the time on a paint job, which is why rooms with lots of trim, windows or color changes cost more to paint per square foot.See also: Paint sheen, Primer.

D

Deck ledger Decks, fences and yard: The board fastened to the house's framing that carries the house side of an attached deck. It must be attached with through-bolts or structural screws, not nails, and flashed so water cannot rot the house framing behind it; a poorly attached ledger is a leading cause of deck collapses.Also called: ledger board.See also: Joist hanger, Flashing, Pressure-treated lumber.
Dedicated circuit Electrical: Circuit that serves just one appliance or outlet, such as a refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher or space heater. Kitchen remodels and new appliances often need several; a bid should say how many new circuits are included and whether the panel has room for them.See also: 240-volt circuit, Electrical panel, Circuit breaker.
Deferred interest Contracts and payment: A financing promotion where no interest is charged if the full balance is paid by the end of a set period. Miss that deadline, even by a small amount, and interest from the original purchase date is usually added all at once. It is not the same as a true zero-interest loan.Also called: no interest if paid in full, same as cash.See also: Contractor financing.
Dehumidifier Heating and cooling: Appliance that pulls moisture from indoor air by passing it over a cold coil and draining off the water. Whole-house models tie into the ductwork or sit in a basement or crawl space and drain to a pipe, unlike portable units that need emptying.Also called: whole-house dehumidifier.See also: Crawl space encapsulation, Condensate line.
Deposit Contracts and payment: Money paid at signing so the contractor can schedule the job and order materials. Some states cap home-improvement deposits or limit when they can be collected; elsewhere a modest deposit is normal and a large upfront demand is a warning sign. Pay by check or card and get a receipt.Also called: down payment.See also: Payment schedule, Right to cancel, Lead time.
Downspout Siding and exterior: The vertical pipe that carries water from a gutter down to the ground. It should empty into an extension, splash block or buried line that moves water several feet away from the foundation; short or disconnected downspouts are a common cause of wet basements.Also called: leader, downpipe.See also: Gutter, Grading, French drain.
Drain field Plumbing: Buried network of perforated pipes in gravel or plastic chambers where liquid from a septic tank soaks into the soil and is filtered. Soggy ground, odors or slow drains can mean it is failing; a new field usually needs a soil test, often called a perc test, and a health department permit, with rules varying by county and state.Also called: leach field, absorption field, septic field.See also: Septic tank.
Drain snaking Plumbing: Clearing a clog by feeding a flexible steel cable with a cutting head into the drain and turning it. It opens the line but may leave grease or roots behind; repeat clogs in the same line are a good reason to ask for a camera inspection.Also called: drain auger, rodding, drain cabling.See also: Hydro jetting, Sewer camera inspection, Cleanout.
Drain-waste-vent system Plumbing: All the pipes that carry wastewater out of the house, plus the vent pipes that let air in so drains flow and traps stay full; bids often shorten it to DWV. Drain lines must slope steadily toward the sewer or septic line, and vents rise through the roof.Also called: DWV.See also: Plumbing vent, P-trap, Sewer line.
Drip edge Roofing: An L-shaped metal strip along the eaves and rakes, the bottom and sloped edges of a roof, that guides water off the edge and away from the fascia and roof deck. Most current codes require it with asphalt shingles, so check that a reroof bid includes new drip edge.See also: Fascia, Roof deck, Flashing.
Drop-in sink Kitchens and baths: A bowl lowered into a countertop cutout from above so its rim rests on the counter. It works with any countertop, including laminate, and is simple to replace, but the rim collects crumbs and grime where it meets the counter.Also called: top-mount sink, self-rimming sink.See also: Undermount sink, Vessel sink, Laminate countertop.
Drywall Walls, paint and trim: Panels of gypsum (a soft mineral) faced with paper, screwed to studs and ceiling framing to form most interior walls in homes built since the mid-1900s. Seams and screws are covered with tape and joint compound, then sanded and painted. Special panels resist moisture or fire.Also called: gypsum board, wallboard.See also: Joint compound, Drywall tape, Drywall finish level.
Drywall finish level Walls, paint and trim: An industry scale from Level 0 (panels hung, no tape) to Level 5 (a thin coat of compound over the entire surface) describing how smooth drywall is finished. Most painted walls get Level 4; Level 5 suits glossy paint or strong side light. Ask which level a bid includes, since each step adds labor.Also called: finish level, Level 4 finish, Level 5 finish.See also: Skim coat, Joint compound, Paint sheen.
Drywall tape Walls, paint and trim: Paper or fiberglass mesh strips bedded in joint compound over drywall seams and inside corners so the joints don't crack. Paper is the usual choice for seams and corners; self-sticking mesh is handy for patches but is best covered with a hardening, setting-type compound.Also called: joint tape, mesh tape.See also: Joint compound, Drywall.
Dual-fuel system Heating and cooling: Pairing of an electric heat pump with a gas or propane furnace, where the heat pump heats in mild weather and the furnace takes over below a set outdoor temperature. Whether it saves money depends on local fuel and electric rates, and it needs a thermostat or control that supports it.Also called: hybrid heat.See also: Heat pump, Gas furnace, Auxiliary heat.
Duct sealing Heating and cooling: Closing leaks at duct joints and seams with mastic, a thick brush-on paste, or foil tape rated for ducts, not cloth duct tape. Leaky ducts in attics and crawl spaces can waste a large share of heating and cooling; a duct leakage test before and after shows what was gained.Also called: duct mastic.See also: Ductwork, Air sealing, Energy audit.
Ductless mini-split Heating and cooling: Heat pump or air conditioner with an outdoor unit piped to one or more indoor heads mounted on a wall, ceiling or floor, with no ductwork. It suits additions, homes without ducts and rooms that are hard to keep comfortable; bids usually price each indoor head separately.Also called: mini-split, ductless heat pump.See also: Heat pump, Line set, Ductwork.
Ductwork Heating and cooling: Network of sheet-metal or flexible insulated tubes that carries heated or cooled air from the furnace or air handler to each room and back. Undersized, crushed or leaky ducts cause hot and cold rooms and noise; a new-system bid should say whether ducts are reused, modified or replaced.Also called: ducts, duct system.See also: Duct sealing, Return air, HVAC load calculation.

E

Efflorescence Concrete and masonry: A white, powdery or crusty deposit on brick, block, concrete or stone, left when water moving through the masonry evaporates and leaves dissolved salts behind. It is usually cosmetic, but it shows that water is getting into the wall, so clean it off and find the moisture source.See also: Spalling, Mortar.
Egress window Windows and doors: A window big enough, and low enough to the floor, for a person to climb out and a firefighter to climb in. Most codes require one in every bedroom and in basements with living space, with a minimum opening size and maximum sill height; below-grade ones need a window well.Also called: emergency escape opening.See also: Window well, Sill.
Electrical panel Electrical: Metal cabinet where power from the meter is split into the home's circuits, each protected by a breaker or, in older homes, a fuse. Certain older panel models have a record of breakers that fail to trip; inspectors flag them, and many electricians and insurers recommend replacement.Also called: breaker box, service panel, load center, fuse box.See also: Main breaker, Subpanel, Service upgrade.
Energy audit Insulation and energy: Whole-house inspection that finds where a home wastes energy, typically with a blower door test, an infrared camera scan that shows hot and cold spots behind walls, attic and duct checks, and safety tests on fuel-burning appliances. The report ranks fixes by payoff; some utilities and states help pay for audits.Also called: home energy assessment, home performance audit.See also: Blower door test, Combustion safety test, Air sealing.
Energy recovery ventilator Heating and cooling: Unit that exhausts stale indoor air and brings in fresh outdoor air, passing both through a core that transfers heat and some moisture between them. A heat recovery ventilator does the same with heat only. Tightly sealed homes often need one to keep indoor air fresh.Also called: ERV, HRV, heat recovery ventilator.See also: Air sealing, Blower door test.
Engineered lumber Structure and framing: Wood products made by gluing together layers, strands or veneers, such as laminated veneer lumber (LVL), glued-laminated beams and I-joists. They are straighter and stronger than solid lumber of the same size and are common for long spans and new beams in wall removals.Also called: LVL, glulam, I-joist.See also: Beam, Joist, Header.
Engineered wood flooring Flooring and tile: Flooring made of a real hardwood top layer glued over a plywood or similar core. It moves less with humidity than solid wood, so it can go over concrete or radiant heat and be floated, glued or nailed. The top layer's thickness decides how many times it can be sanded and refinished.Also called: engineered hardwood.See also: Solid hardwood, Wear layer, Hardwood refinishing.
Engineered wood siding Siding and exterior: Siding made from wood strands or fibers bonded with resins and wax, sold primed or prefinished. It is lighter and easier to cut than fiber cement, but cut edges must be sealed and the boards kept clear of the ground and roof surfaces to avoid swelling.Also called: composite wood siding.See also: Fiber cement siding, Wood siding.
EPDM Roofing: A synthetic rubber roofing membrane (ethylene propylene diene monomer), usually black, laid in large sheets on low-slope roofs and glued or fastened down with taped or glued seams. It is durable and fairly easy to patch, but seams and edges need careful detailing.Also called: rubber roof.See also: Low-slope roof, TPO, Modified bitumen.
Estimate Contracts and payment: A contractor's approximate price for a job, given before every detail is known. It can change as the work is defined or problems are uncovered, so read whether the number is binding. People use estimate, bid and quote loosely; the written contract decides what you owe.Also called: ballpark, rough estimate.See also: Bid, Quote, Fair price range.
Evaporator coil Heating and cooling: Indoor coil, usually sitting on top of the furnace or inside the air handler, where cold refrigerant absorbs heat and moisture from house air. Keeping an old coil with a new outdoor unit can mismatch the system and throw off its rating, so most bids replace both.Also called: indoor coil, A-coil, cased coil.See also: Condenser, Matched system, Condensate line.
Exclusions Contracts and payment: The list in a bid or contract of work the price does not cover, such as permits, hauling, patching, painting or hidden damage. Read it closely when comparing bids: a lower price with a longer exclusions list may not be cheaper once those items are added back.Also called: not included, exclusions list.See also: Scope of work, Allowance.
Expansion gap Flooring and tile: A small space left between flooring and walls, cabinets and other fixed objects so the floor can swell and shrink with the seasons. Baseboard or shoe molding covers it. Floors laid tight to the walls, or pinned under heavy cabinets, can buckle or pull apart.Also called: expansion space.See also: Floating floor, Shoe molding, Transition strip.
Expansion tank Plumbing: Small tank with an air cushion inside, usually mounted near the water heater, that absorbs the extra volume water takes on as it heats. Many codes require one when a check valve or pressure-reducing valve keeps that water from flowing back to the street; without it, pressure spikes strain the heater and fixtures.Also called: thermal expansion tank.See also: Pressure-reducing valve, Tank water heater, Temperature and pressure relief valve.
Exposed aggregate Concrete and masonry: A decorative concrete finish where the top film of cement paste is washed or brushed off while the concrete sets, revealing the pebbles or stone inside. It is slip-resistant and hides wear well but feels rougher underfoot and is hard to patch invisibly.See also: Broom finish, Stamped concrete.
Exterior trim Siding and exterior: The boards around windows, doors, corners and rooflines that cover joints and finish the edges of siding. It may be wood, fiber cement, engineered wood or cellular PVC plastic; plastic trim will not rot but moves more with temperature, so its joints need room to expand.Also called: trim boards, corner boards.See also: Fascia, Wood rot, Caulk.

F

Face-frame cabinet Kitchens and baths: A cabinet with a frame of solid wood strips around the front of the box, which the doors hinge to. It is the traditional American style and adds stiffness, but the frame narrows the door and drawer openings slightly compared with frameless cabinets.Also called: framed cabinet.See also: Frameless cabinet, Cabinet box, Filler strip.
Failed seal Windows and doors: A break in the edge seal of an insulated glass unit that lets moist air in, showing as fog, haze or streaks between the panes that cannot be wiped off. Some insulating value is lost; often just the glass unit can be replaced instead of the whole window.Also called: fogged window, seal failure.See also: Insulated glass unit, Sash.
Fair price range Pricing: A low-to-high span of what a job should cost in your area, built from local wages, material prices and normal contractor overhead and margin. Pricewright shows one for each job and reads a bid against it; a bid well below the range deserves as many questions as one above it.Also called: fair range.See also: Unit cost method, Regional price difference, Overhead.
Fascia Siding and exterior: The vertical board along the lower edge of the roof, fastened across the ends of the rafters or trusses, where gutters usually hang. It is often wrapped in aluminum; rot behind the wrap is easy to miss, so ask whether the crew will check the wood before covering it.Also called: fascia board.See also: Soffit, Gutter, Drip edge.
Fence post Decks, fences and yard: A vertical post set in the ground, in concrete or packed gravel, that holds up fence rails and panels. How deep it goes depends on fence height and local frost depth; ask how posts will be set and whether the bid covers utility marking and confirming the property line.See also: Call 811, Property survey, Frost line.
Fiber cement siding Siding and exterior: Siding made from cement, sand and wood fibers formed into planks, panels or shingles. It resists rot, insects and fire and holds paint well, but it is heavy, and cutting it makes silica dust, so crews should use dust-collecting saws and proper protection.Also called: cement board siding.See also: Vinyl siding, Engineered wood siding, House wrap.
Filler strip Kitchens and baths: A narrow board finished to match the cabinets, used to close the gap between a cabinet and a wall or appliance where standard cabinet widths don't add up. Fillers also give doors and drawers room to open past a wall or handle; a layout with fillers is normal, not a mistake.Also called: filler.See also: Face-frame cabinet, Toe kick.
Final inspection Permits and codes: The last inspection on a permit, made when the work is finished, to confirm it matches the approved plans and code. Passing it closes the permit. Hold the final payment until it passes, and keep the record for when you sell the house.Also called: final.See also: Permit inspection, Certificate of occupancy, Rough-in inspection.
Final walkthrough Contracts and payment: A last look at the finished job with the contractor to check that everything in the contract was done and works. Test fixtures, doors and appliances, look in good light, and write down anything incomplete; that list becomes the punch list to settle before final payment.Also called: final walk-through, closeout walkthrough.See also: Punch list, Substantial completion, Retainage.
Fixed-price contract Contracts and payment: An agreement to do a defined scope of work for a set total, whatever the job actually costs the contractor. It gives you a predictable price, which changes only through change orders when the scope changes or hidden conditions turn up, so a clear scope matters.Also called: lump-sum contract, stipulated sum.See also: Change order, Scope of work, Cost-plus contract.
Flapper Plumbing: Rubber seal at the bottom of a toilet tank that lifts to start a flush and drops to hold water in. When it warps or hardens, water seeps into the bowl and the tank keeps refilling; a new flapper, sometimes with a new fill valve, is a small repair that rarely calls for a new toilet.See also: Supply line, Shutoff valve.
Flashing Roofing: Thin metal or membrane pieces installed wherever a roof or wall is interrupted, such as at a chimney, wall, skylight, vent or window, so water is steered outward instead of in. Most roof leaks start at flashing, so a good bid says whether it will be replaced or reused.See also: Step flashing, Kickout flashing, Sill pan.
Floating floor Flooring and tile: Flooring whose boards lock to each other but are not nailed or glued to the floor beneath, so the whole floor rests on its underlayment and moves as one piece. Most laminate, rigid-core vinyl and some engineered wood go in this way. It installs fast but needs a flat base and a gap at every edge.Also called: click-lock floor, click flooring.See also: Flooring underlayment, Expansion gap, Glue-down installation.
Flooring underlayment Flooring and tile: A thin layer of foam, cork, rubber or felt rolled out under a floating floor to cushion it, even out tiny dips and quiet footsteps; some include a plastic moisture barrier for concrete. Check whether the planks already have a pad attached and whether the bid includes underlayment.Also called: underlay, floor underlayment.See also: Floating floor, Carpet pad, Laminate flooring.
Flue Heating and cooling: Pipe or chimney passage that carries exhaust from a furnace, boiler or water heater outside. When a furnace is replaced with a sealed, plastic-vented model, a water heater left alone on the old chimney may need a liner or new vent so its exhaust still drafts safely; ask whether the bid covers it.Also called: vent pipe, exhaust vent, chimney flue.See also: AFUE, Combustion safety test, Heat exchanger.
Flush volume Kitchens and baths: How much water a toilet uses per flush, stated in gallons per flush (gpf). Federal law caps new toilets at 1.6 gpf, and some states require lower-flow models. Dual-flush toilets offer a smaller flush for liquids and a full flush for solids.Also called: gallons per flush, gpf.See also: Chair-height toilet.
Footing Structure and framing: The wide concrete base, set in the ground, that spreads the weight of a foundation wall, column or deck post over enough soil to keep it from sinking. Footings must rest on firm, undisturbed or compacted soil and, in cold climates, extend below the frost line.See also: Foundation, Frost line, Deck ledger.
Foundation Structure and framing: The concrete, block or masonry base the house sits on, which carries its weight down to the footings and soil. Common types are full basements, crawl spaces and slabs. Hairline shrinkage cracks are common; wide, uneven, leaking or growing cracks deserve a structural engineer's look.See also: Footing, Crawl space, Slab foundation.
Frameless cabinet Kitchens and baths: A cabinet built without a front frame, so the doors mount directly to the box sides and cover its whole front. Common in European and modern kitchens, it gives slightly wider openings and drawers but depends on a sturdy box and precise installation.Also called: full-access cabinet, European-style cabinet.See also: Face-frame cabinet, Cabinet box.
Freestanding tub Kitchens and baths: A bathtub that stands on its own on the floor or on feet, finished on all sides, such as a clawfoot or modern soaking tub. It needs a floor-mounted or wall faucet, room around it for cleaning, and sometimes added floor support, because it is heavy when full.Also called: clawfoot tub, soaking tub.See also: Alcove tub, Walk-in tub.
French drain Decks, fences and yard: A gravel-filled trench holding a perforated pipe, usually wrapped in filter fabric, that collects groundwater or surface water and carries it downhill to an outlet away from the house. It needs steady slope and a place to discharge; without fabric it can clog with silt.Also called: curtain drain.See also: Grading, Downspout.
Frost line Decks, fences and yard: The depth to which the ground freezes in winter in a given area, which sets how deep footings for decks, additions and some fence posts must go. Footings above it can heave as frozen soil expands. The local building department sets the required depth.Also called: frost depth.See also: Footing, Fence post.
Full-frame replacement Windows and doors: Removing the entire old window, including sashes, frame and often trim, down to the rough opening, then installing a new window with new flashing. It costs more than an insert but lets the installer fix hidden rot and leaks and avoids shrinking the glass area.Also called: new construction-style replacement.See also: Insert replacement, Rough opening, Sill pan.

G

Galvanized pipe Plumbing: Zinc-coated steel water pipe, common in houses built before the 1960s. It rusts from the inside, which slowly narrows the pipe, cuts water pressure and can tint water brown. Patching one section often just moves the problem to the next, so replacing whole runs is common.Also called: galvanized steel pipe.See also: Repipe, Water service line.
Gas furnace Heating and cooling: Heating appliance that burns natural gas or propane and blows the heated air through ductwork. Bids should list efficiency (AFUE), whether it runs at one, two or many heat levels, blower type, venting changes and whether a thermostat, filter rack and gas line work are included.Also called: forced-air furnace.See also: AFUE, Heat exchanger, Variable-speed system.
General contractor Contracts and payment: The company or person who signs the contract with you and answers for the whole job: scheduling and supervising crews, hiring subcontractors, ordering materials, getting permits and passing inspections. Some do much of the work themselves; others mainly manage subcontractors.Also called: GC, prime contractor.See also: Subcontractor, Contractor license, Overhead.
General liability insurance Contracts and payment: Insurance that pays for damage the contractor causes to your property and for injuries to people other than their own workers, such as you or a neighbor. Without it, a flooded floor or a dropped beam can end up as a claim on your homeowner's policy.Also called: liability insurance, GL insurance.See also: Workers' compensation insurance, Certificate of insurance.
Generator inlet Electrical: Weatherproof outdoor socket wired to the house so a portable generator can be plugged in with one heavy cord, used with a transfer switch or panel interlock. It ends the tangle of extension cords and keeps the generator outside, well away from doors and windows where exhaust could get in.Also called: power inlet box, generator inlet box.See also: Transfer switch, Interlock kit, Standby generator.
GFCI outlet Electrical: Outlet with a built-in ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) that cuts power in a split second if current leaks to ground, such as through a person in contact with water. Codes require this protection in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, outdoors and other damp areas; it can also come from a GFCI breaker.Also called: GFI outlet, ground-fault outlet.See also: AFCI breaker, Two-prong outlet.
Glue-down installation Flooring and tile: Fixing flooring directly to the subfloor or concrete with adhesive spread across the whole floor. It feels solid and quiet underfoot and suits engineered wood on slabs, sheet vinyl and flexible vinyl plank, but takes more labor than floating, and the floor is much harder to remove later.Also called: direct glue-down, full-spread installation.See also: Floating floor, Nail-down installation.
Grab bar Kitchens and baths: A sturdy bar fastened to a wall to steady you getting in and out of a tub or shower or up from a toilet. It must be screwed into studs, solid wood backing, or anchors rated for the load; towel bars and suction-cup handles are not substitutes. Adding backing during a remodel makes later bars easy.Also called: safety bar.See also: Curbless shower, Chair-height toilet, Walk-in tub.
Grading Decks, fences and yard: Shaping the ground so it slopes away from the house and sends water toward safe drainage paths. Soil should fall away from the foundation on every side; flat or backward-sloping ground is one of the most common causes of wet basements and crawl spaces.Also called: regrading, positive drainage.See also: French drain, Downspout, Crawl space.
Granite countertop Kitchens and baths: A slab of natural granite cut and polished to fit. It is hard and heat resistant, and every slab looks different, so many shops let you pick your exact slab. Many granites are slightly porous and need sealing now and then; softer stones such as marble also etch from acids like lemon juice.Also called: granite.See also: Quartz countertop, Solid surface countertop, Undermount sink.
Grout Flooring and tile: A cement-based or resin filler packed into the joints between tiles. Sanded grout is for wider joints, unsanded for narrow joints and easily scratched surfaces, and epoxy grout resists stains and needs no sealing but is slower to apply. The bid should name the type and color.See also: Grout sealer, Thinset mortar, Movement joint.
Grout sealer Flooring and tile: A clear liquid brushed or sprayed onto cement grout, and onto natural stone tile, that soaks in and slows staining and water absorption. Most cement grout needs it after curing and again now and then; glazed and porcelain tile faces and epoxy grout do not.Also called: penetrating sealer, tile sealer.See also: Grout, Porcelain tile.
Guard Decks, fences and yard: The protective barrier along the open sides of a deck, porch, landing or stairs that keeps people from falling. Most codes require one where the walking surface is more than about 30 inches above the ground below, with a minimum height and strong post connections.Also called: guardrail, railing.See also: Baluster, Deck ledger.
Gutter Siding and exterior: The open channel along the roof edge that collects rainwater and carries it to downspouts. Seamless aluminum gutters, formed on site in one piece per run, are common; gutters need a slight slope toward the outlets and hangers spaced close enough to carry snow and debris.Also called: eavestrough, seamless gutter.See also: Downspout, Fascia.

H

Hardwood refinishing Flooring and tile: Sanding a wood floor down to bare wood, making repairs, then applying stain if wanted and several coats of finish. It removes scratches, wear and discoloration but takes days and empties the rooms. Solid wood can be refinished many times; engineered wood only if its top layer is thick enough.Also called: sand and refinish, floor refinishing.See also: Screen and recoat, Solid hardwood, Engineered wood flooring.
Header Structure and framing: A beam built over a window, door or other wall opening that carries the weight from above around the opening. Widening an opening in a load-bearing wall means a larger header and temporary support while the work is done.See also: Load-bearing wall, Beam, Rough opening.
Heat exchanger Heating and cooling: Sealed metal chamber in a furnace that keeps burning gas apart from house air while passing heat through its walls. A crack can let carbon monoxide into the air stream; if a technician reports one, ask for photos or camera images, and getting a second opinion is reasonable.See also: Gas furnace, Flue, Combustion safety test.
Heat pump Heating and cooling: Electric system that moves heat instead of making it, pulling heat from outdoor air into the house in winter and reversing to cool in summer. It can replace both a furnace and an air conditioner; cold-climate models keep heating well below freezing, so ask for rated capacity at low temperatures.Also called: air-source heat pump, cold-climate heat pump.See also: Auxiliary heat, HSPF2, Ductless mini-split.
Heat pump water heater Plumbing: Electric tank water heater that pulls heat from the surrounding air into the water instead of relying only on heating elements, using far less electricity. It needs enough air around it, cools and dries the room it sits in and needs a condensate drain, so garages and basements suit it better than small closets.Also called: hybrid water heater.See also: Tank water heater, Condensate line.
HEPA Hazards: Short for high-efficiency particulate air, a filter standard that traps nearly all very fine particles. HEPA vacuums and air machines are standard for lead, asbestos and mold work; an ordinary shop vacuum blows fine dust back into the air instead of trapping it.Also called: HEPA filter, HEPA vacuum.See also: Containment, Lead-safe renovation rule.
HOA approval Permits and codes: Permission from a homeowners association, often through an architectural review committee, before changing a home's exterior, such as roofing, windows, fences or paint colors. It is separate from a building permit, and skipping it can bring fines or an order to undo the work.Also called: architectural review, ARC approval.See also: Building permit, Zoning.
House wrap Siding and exterior: A synthetic sheet installed over wall sheathing and under siding that sheds liquid water while letting water vapor escape. Seams should be lapped top over bottom and taped, and it must tie into window and door flashing to keep water out.Also called: weather-resistive barrier, WRB.See also: Sheathing, Sill pan.
HSPF2 Heating and cooling: Heat pump heating efficiency rating, short for heating seasonal performance factor 2, based on a test meant to reflect real-world ductwork. Higher is better; compare HSPF2 only to HSPF2, since the same unit scores lower than it did under the older HSPF test.See also: SEER2, Heat pump.
HVAC load calculation Heating and cooling: Room-by-room estimate of how much heating and cooling a house needs, based on its insulation, windows, air leakage, orientation and local climate; HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. It beats square-foot rules of thumb, since an oversized system short-cycles and leaves rooms clammy.Also called: Manual J, heat loss calculation, sizing calculation.See also: Tonnage, Short cycling, Energy audit.
Hydro jetting Plumbing: Cleaning a drain or sewer line with a hose that shoots water at very high pressure, scouring grease, scale and roots off the pipe walls. It cleans more thoroughly than snaking but can harm pipe that is already cracked or badly corroded, so a camera inspection first is wise.Also called: jetting, water jetting.See also: Drain snaking, Sewer camera inspection.

I

Ice and water barrier Roofing: A self-sticking rubberized membrane applied directly to the roof deck at the eaves, in valleys and around chimneys and other openings. It seals around nails and blocks water pushed under shingles by ice dams or wind-driven rain; cold-climate codes commonly require it along the eaves.Also called: self-adhered underlayment, ice barrier.See also: Roofing underlayment, Ice dam, Valley.
Ice dam Roofing: A ridge of ice at the roof edge that forms when snow melts higher on a warm roof and refreezes over the colder overhang, trapping water that backs up under the shingles. The lasting fix is usually attic air sealing, insulation and ventilation, not just new roofing.See also: Ice and water barrier, Soffit vent, Ridge vent.
Insert replacement Windows and doors: A new window made to fit inside the existing frame after the old sashes and stops are removed, leaving the old frame and trim in place. It is faster and less disruptive than full-frame replacement but slightly reduces the glass area and only works if the old frame is solid and square.Also called: pocket replacement, retrofit window.See also: Full-frame replacement, Window frame, Sash.
Insulated glass unit Windows and doors: Two or three panes of glass sealed together around the edges with a spacer, leaving a gap often filled with argon or krypton gas. The sealed space slows heat flow far better than a single pane. IGU on a bid means this sealed assembly.Also called: IGU, double-pane glass, triple-pane glass.See also: Failed seal, Low-E coating, U-factor.
Interlock kit Electrical: Sliding plate mounted on the main panel that makes it impossible to turn on the generator breaker while the main breaker is on. It is a simpler alternative to a separate transfer switch for portable generators; it must be listed for the specific panel, and some areas don't accept it.Also called: generator interlock.See also: Transfer switch, Generator inlet, Main breaker.
Irrigation system Decks, fences and yard: A network of buried pipes, valves and sprinkler heads or drip lines, run by a timer or controller, that waters lawns and beds in zones. In cold climates the lines are usually blown out with compressed air before winter so trapped water does not freeze and split them.Also called: sprinkler system.See also: Backflow preventer, Call 811.

J

Jamb Windows and doors: One of the vertical side pieces of a window or door frame; the top piece is called the head jamb. Door hinges and the strike plate attach to the jambs, so a split, loose or rotted jamb is a common reason a door will not latch or seal.See also: Window frame, Prehung door, Threshold.
Janka hardness Flooring and tile: A lab rating of how hard a wood species is, based on the force needed to press a steel ball halfway into it. Higher numbers resist dents from heels, pets and dropped objects better, and red oak is a common reference point. It says nothing about the finish, which takes most scratches.Also called: Janka rating.See also: Solid hardwood, Engineered wood flooring.
Joint compound Walls, paint and trim: A paste of finely ground minerals troweled over drywall tape, screw heads and patches, then sanded smooth. Premixed bucket compound dries slowly by evaporation; powder mixed with water hardens by chemical reaction and sets faster. Each coat must set before the next, so repairs often take return visits.Also called: mud, drywall mud.See also: Drywall tape, Skim coat, Drywall finish level.
Joist Structure and framing: One of the parallel horizontal boards or engineered members, set on edge at regular spacing, that hold up a floor or ceiling. Sagging, bouncy, cracked or heavily notched joists often turn up when floors are opened during a remodel and may need sistering or added support.Also called: floor joist, ceiling joist.See also: Subfloor, Sistering, Joist hanger.
Joist hanger Decks, fences and yard: A U-shaped galvanized or coated steel bracket that holds the end of a joist against a beam or ledger. It must be fastened with the type and number of nails or screws its maker specifies; drywall screws or too few fasteners are a common and dangerous shortcut.See also: Deck ledger, Joist.
Junction box Electrical: Enclosed metal or plastic box where wires are spliced together. Codes require every splice to sit inside a box with a cover that stays accessible, never buried in a wall or ceiling; loose splices found in attics and basements are a common inspection item.See also: Pigtail, Nonmetallic sheathed cable.

K

Kickout flashing Roofing: A small angled piece of flashing at the bottom of a roof-to-wall joint, where the roof edge runs into a side wall, that kicks runoff into the gutter instead of down the wall. When it is missing, hidden rot behind siding or stucco is common.Also called: diverter flashing.See also: Step flashing, Flashing, Wood rot.
Knob-and-tube wiring Electrical: Early wiring method, common until about the 1940s, with single wires run on ceramic knobs and through ceramic tubes and no ground wire. The old insulation can turn brittle, it generally shouldn't be buried in building insulation, and many insurers want it replaced before they will cover a home.See also: Whole-house rewire, Two-prong outlet.

L

Labor rate Pricing: The hourly cost of a worker's time on a job. Pricewright starts from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics median wage for each trade in your metro area, then loads it for benefits and payroll costs. A company's hourly billing rate is higher, since it also covers overhead and margin.Also called: hourly rate, labor cost per hour.See also: Loaded wage, Crew, Metro area.
Laminate countertop Kitchens and baths: A thin plastic surface layer bonded to a particleboard or plywood base. It is the least expensive common countertop and comes in many patterns, but it scorches, cuts, and swells if water gets into the seams or the cut edges around the sink.Also called: plastic laminate.See also: Drop-in sink, Solid surface countertop.
Laminate flooring Flooring and tile: Planks with a printed image of wood or stone under a clear, hard wear surface, built on a dense fiberboard core and installed as a floating floor. It resists scratches well, but most cores swell if water sits on them or seeps into the joints, and it can't be sanded or refinished.Also called: laminate.See also: Laminate wear rating, Floating floor, Vinyl plank flooring.
Laminate wear rating Flooring and tile: A durability grade printed on laminate flooring, usually AC1 through AC5, based on lab tests of abrasion, impact and staining. AC3 is generally enough for any room in a home; AC4 and AC5 are built for heavier, commercial-level traffic. Plank thickness is not a durability rating.Also called: AC rating, abrasion class.See also: Laminate flooring, Wear layer.
Large-format tile Flooring and tile: Tile with at least one side 15 inches or longer. Big tiles are often slightly bowed from the kiln and need a very flat base, mortar on the tile back as well as the floor, and often leveling clips to avoid lippage, so expect more prep and labor per square foot.Also called: LFT.See also: Lippage, Self-leveling compound, Thinset mortar.
Lead time Pricing: The wait between ordering something and having it on site, such as custom cabinets, special-order windows or a countertop slab. Long lead times set the schedule, so ask for them before signing, and find out whether a deposit is needed to place the order.Also called: order lead time.See also: Deposit, Payment schedule.
Lead-based paint Hazards: Paint containing lead, banned for home use in 1978 but still common under newer coats in older houses. It is mainly a hazard when it chips, wears at friction points or is turned into dust by sanding, scraping or demolition; young children and pregnant people are most at risk.Also called: lead paint.See also: Lead-safe renovation rule, HEPA, Abatement.
Lead-safe renovation rule Hazards: A federal EPA rule, known as RRP (renovation, repair and painting), requiring paid contractors who disturb paint in homes built before 1978 to be certified, give occupants a lead hazard pamphlet, and follow dust-control and cleanup practices. Very small repairs may be exempt, and some states run their own programs.Also called: RRP rule, lead-safe certified.See also: Lead-based paint, Containment, HEPA.
Level 2 EV charger Electrical: Charging station for an electric vehicle (EV) that runs on a 240-volt circuit and charges several times faster than a standard wall outlet. A bid should cover the charger's amperage, circuit size, wire run length, panel capacity and permit; some utilities offer rebates or special rates.Also called: EV charger, home charging station.See also: 240-volt circuit, NEMA 14-50 outlet, Load management device.
Lien waiver Contracts and payment: A signed document in which a contractor, subcontractor or supplier gives up lien rights for an amount they've been paid. Collect one from each party with each payment, especially the last; conditional waivers take effect only once the payment clears. Forms and rules vary by state.Also called: lien release, release of lien.See also: Mechanic's lien, Progress payment, Subcontractor.
Line set Heating and cooling: Pair of copper tubes, one insulated, that carry refrigerant between the outdoor unit and the indoor coil or mini-split head. A new system can sometimes reuse it if it's the right size, clean and leak-free; ask which the bid assumes, since a new one adds labor, especially inside finished walls.Also called: refrigerant lines, lineset.See also: Refrigerant, Condenser, Ductless mini-split.
Linear foot Pricing: Length measured in feet along a run of trim, countertop, gutter, fence or cabinets, regardless of height or depth. Abbreviated LF. To check a bid's count, measure along the item itself.Also called: LF, lineal foot, running foot.See also: Square foot, Unit price.
Lippage Flooring and tile: A height difference between the edges of neighboring tiles, so one edge stands above the other. A little is normal with handmade or bowed tiles, but ridges that catch light or toes usually trace back to an uneven base or poor setting. Raise it at the walkthrough, before final payment.See also: Large-format tile, Punch list, Final walkthrough.
Load calculation Permits and codes: A worksheet some building departments require with a permit application, showing that new equipment is sized to the demand on it, such as an electrical service against the home's appliances or a heating and cooling system against the house's heat gain and loss.Also called: load calc.See also: Building permit, Building department.
Load management device Electrical: Controller that watches the home's total electrical use and briefly pauses or turns down a large load, such as an EV charger or water heater, when demand nears the service limit. It can let a new load go in without a full service upgrade, if local code and the utility allow it.Also called: energy management system, load shedding device.See also: Service upgrade, Level 2 EV charger.
Load-bearing wall Structure and framing: A wall that holds up part of the structure above it, such as floor joists, roof framing or another wall. It can be removed or opened only with a properly sized beam or header and temporary support; most areas require a permit, and many contractors want an engineer's design.Also called: bearing wall.See also: Beam, Header, Structural engineer.
Loaded wage Pricing: A worker's hourly pay plus the employer's added cost for that hour: payroll taxes, insurance, paid leave and other benefits. Pricewright loads each trade's local median wage using a federal survey of employer costs, then adds contractor overhead and margin separately, on their own line.Also called: burdened labor rate, labor burden.See also: Labor rate, Overhead, Unit cost method.
Low-E coating Windows and doors: A microscopically thin metallic layer on window glass (low emissivity) that reflects heat while letting most visible light through. Versions are tuned either to hold heat in for cold climates or to block solar heat in hot ones, so the right choice depends on climate and which way the window faces.See also: Insulated glass unit, U-factor, SHGC.
Low-slope roof Roofing: A nearly flat roof, too shallow for shingles to shed water reliably, common on porches, additions and modern homes. It needs a continuous membrane such as EPDM, TPO or modified bitumen, plus drains or edges that keep water from standing in puddles.Also called: flat roof.See also: EPDM, TPO, Modified bitumen.

M

Main breaker Electrical: Large breaker, usually at the top of the panel, that shuts off power to every circuit at once and is sized to the home's electrical service, such as 100 or 200 amps. Some homes have it in a separate box outside by the meter; it's worth knowing where yours is before an emergency.Also called: main disconnect, service disconnect.See also: Electrical panel, Service upgrade.
Main shutoff Plumbing: Valve near where the water line enters the house that turns off water to the whole home. Everyone in the household should know where it is; old multi-turn gate valves often won't close fully and are worth swapping for a quarter-turn ball valve during other plumbing work.Also called: main shutoff valve, main water valve.See also: Shutoff valve, Water service line, Pressure-reducing valve.
Makeup air Kitchens and baths: Outside air brought in to replace air pushed out by a powerful range hood or other exhaust. Without it, a strong hood can't move its rated air and can pull fumes back down a gas appliance's flue. Many codes require a makeup-air system once a hood passes a set airflow; ask whether your bid includes one.Also called: make-up air, replacement air.See also: Range hood, Range hood CFM.
Manufacturer warranty Contracts and payment: The product maker's promise covering defects in items such as flooring, fixtures, shingles or appliances. It usually requires installation to the maker's instructions and sometimes registration, and rarely pays for labor; bad installation falls under the contractor's workmanship warranty, if any.Also called: product warranty.See also: Workmanship warranty, Acclimation.
Markup Pricing: The percentage added on top of cost to set a price. Measured against cost, it is a bigger number than the margin it produces: a 25 percent markup on cost is a 20 percent margin on the selling price. Pricewright's overhead and margin line works as a markup on the job's cost.Also called: markup on cost.See also: Profit margin, Overhead, Allowance.
Matched system Heating and cooling: Outdoor unit, indoor coil and furnace or air handler combination that was tested and rated together. Its efficiency rating, and sometimes rebates and warranties, depend on that exact pairing, so bids should list the model number for every piece.Also called: matched set, rated combination.See also: Condenser, Evaporator coil, SEER2.
Mechanic's lien Contracts and payment: A legal claim against your property filed by a contractor, subcontractor or supplier who says they weren't paid for work or materials on it. In many states an unpaid sub can file one even if you paid your contractor in full, which is why lien waivers matter. Deadlines and notices vary by state.Also called: mechanics lien, construction lien, materialman's lien.See also: Lien waiver, Subcontractor, General contractor.
MERV rating Heating and cooling: Scale from 1 to 16 that grades how well an air filter traps small particles, short for minimum efficiency reporting value. Higher numbers catch more dust and allergens but can choke airflow in systems not built for them; ask the installer what rating your blower and filter slot can handle.Also called: filter rating.See also: Return air, Ductwork.
Metro area Pricing: A core city plus the surrounding counties tied to it by commuting, as defined by the federal government for statistics. Pricewright maps your ZIP code to a metro area to look up local wages, falling back to a related trade, statewide or national figures where a metro's numbers aren't published.Also called: metropolitan area, MSA.See also: Regional price difference, Labor rate.
Mineral wool insulation Insulation and energy: Insulation spun from melted rock or industrial slag, sold as dense batts and boards. It resists fire and moisture well, holds its shape in a wall cavity and dampens sound, which makes it popular between rooms and floors as well as in exterior walls.Also called: rock wool, stone wool, slag wool.See also: Batt insulation, R-value.
Minimum charge Pricing: The lowest amount a contractor will bill for any job, however small, to cover travel, setup and a slot in the schedule. It explains why a quick fix can cost as much as a longer one, and why bundling small repairs into one visit is usually cheaper.Also called: job minimum, minimum.See also: Trip charge, Unit price.
Modified bitumen Roofing: An asphalt-based roofing membrane blended with rubber or plastic and reinforced with fabric, sold in rolls for low-slope roofs. It is installed with a torch, hot asphalt, adhesive or a self-stick backing; torch-applied work needs extra fire precautions near wood.Also called: mod bit.See also: Low-slope roof, EPDM, TPO.
Moisture meter Hazards: A handheld tool that measures moisture in wood, drywall or concrete, using pins or a surface sensor. Contractors use it to trace hidden leaks, decide what must come out after water damage and confirm materials are dry before walls are closed; ask to see the readings.See also: Mold, Water damage category, Wood rot.
Mold Hazards: Fungus that grows on damp materials such as drywall, wood and carpet and spreads by airborne spores. It can start wherever moisture lingers more than a day or two, so the lasting fix is stopping the water; small patches on hard surfaces can often be cleaned without a specialist.See also: Mold remediation, Moisture meter, Water damage category.
Mold remediation Hazards: Professional mold cleanup: setting up containment, removing moldy porous materials such as drywall and insulation, cleaning and drying what remains, and fixing the moisture source. Licensing rules vary by state, and a few states require the tester and the remediator to be separate companies.Also called: mold removal.See also: Mold, Containment, Clearance testing.
Mortar Concrete and masonry: The paste of cement, lime, sand and water that bonds bricks, blocks and stones together. It is meant to be weaker than the masonry so that joints, not bricks, take the stress; mortar that is too hard for old, soft brick can crack or chip the brick.See also: Repointing, Efflorescence.
Movement joint Flooring and tile: A gap in a tile installation at walls, inside corners, changes of plane and across large floors, filled with flexible sealant instead of grout so the tile can expand and shrink. Missing movement joints are a common reason tile cracks or pops loose and tents up.Also called: soft joint, expansion joint.See also: Grout, Uncoupling membrane, Expansion gap.

N

Nail-down installation Flooring and tile: Fastening wood flooring with nails or staples driven at an angle through the edge of each board, where the next board hides them. It is the traditional way to lay solid hardwood and needs a wood subfloor; it can't go directly onto concrete.Also called: blind nailing, staple-down.See also: Solid hardwood, Glue-down installation.
NEMA 14-50 outlet Electrical: Heavy-duty 240-volt, 50-amp outlet used for electric ranges, RVs and plug-in EV chargers; NEMA refers to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, which sets plug shapes. Newer codes call for GFCI protection on it in garages and outdoors, and an industrial-grade outlet holds up better to daily charging.See also: Level 2 EV charger, 240-volt circuit, GFCI outlet.
Nonmetallic sheathed cable Electrical: Flexible cable with two or three insulated wires and a bare ground wire inside a plastic jacket, the most common house wiring since about the 1960s. The jacket color usually signals wire size, such as white for 14-gauge and yellow for 12-gauge; a few cities don't allow it.Also called: NM cable, NM-B, plastic-sheathed cable.See also: Armored cable, Wire gauge, Conduit.
Not-to-exceed Contracts and payment: A price ceiling added to a time-and-materials or cost-plus agreement: you pay actual costs up to that limit, and anything beyond it needs your approval through a change order. Check what happens to the savings if the job comes in under the cap.Also called: NTE, price cap, guaranteed maximum price.See also: Time and materials, Cost-plus contract, Change order.

O

Open-cell spray foam Insulation and energy: Soft, light spray foam that expands to fill cavities and seal air leaks, with a lower R-value per inch than closed-cell foam. It is often sprayed on the underside of the roof deck to bring the attic inside the insulated space; it lets moisture pass, so colder climates often call for a vapor retarder with it.Also called: half-pound foam, open-cell foam.See also: Closed-cell spray foam, Vapor retarder, Air sealing.
Overhead Pricing: A contractor's business costs that aren't tied to one job: office, vehicles, insurance, licensing, tools, estimating time, supervision and warranty callbacks. Every legitimate bid recovers it somewhere. Pricewright shows overhead and margin as their own line instead of hiding them in labor and materials.Also called: overhead costs, indirect costs.See also: Profit margin, Markup, Loaded wage.
Owner-builder Contracts and payment: A homeowner who pulls the building permit in their own name and takes legal responsibility for the work instead of hiring a licensed general contractor. You become responsible for code compliance, inspections and, in many places, the workers you hire. Rules vary by state and city.Also called: owner-builder permit, homeowner permit.See also: Building permit, General contractor, Contractor license.

P

P-trap Plumbing: Curved section of drain pipe under a sink, tub or shower that holds a little water to block sewer gas from entering the room. It also catches dropped rings and much of the hair and grease behind clogs, and under a sink it can be taken apart for cleaning.Also called: trap, sink trap.See also: Plumbing vent, Air admittance valve, Drain-waste-vent system.
Paint sheen Walls, paint and trim: How much light dried paint reflects, usually sold as flat (matte), eggshell, satin, semi-gloss and gloss. Shinier paint wipes clean more easily but shows every dent and patch, so flat is common on ceilings, eggshell or satin on walls, and semi-gloss on trim and in bathrooms.Also called: paint finish, sheen.See also: Primer, Drywall finish level.
Paint-grade trim Walls, paint and trim: Molding made from materials meant to be painted, such as finger-jointed pine (short pieces glued end to end) or MDF (medium-density fiberboard, a molded wood-fiber board). It costs less than stain-grade wood and hides joints under caulk and paint, but MDF swells if it gets wet.See also: Stain-grade trim, Baseboard, Casing.
Pavers Concrete and masonry: Individual units of concrete, clay brick or stone laid in patterns for patios, walks and driveways over a compacted base and a thin bed of sand. Joints are filled with sand or polymeric sand, edge restraints keep the pattern from spreading, and single units can be lifted for repairs.Also called: paving stones, interlocking pavers.See also: Compacted base, Segmental retaining wall.
Payment schedule Contracts and payment: The part of a contract that says how much you pay and when, tied to signing, material delivery or finished stages of work. Payments should trail the work, not run ahead of it, so avoid paying for a stage before you have seen it done.Also called: draw schedule.See also: Deposit, Progress payment, Retainage.
Permit inspection Permits and codes: A visit from a building inspector at set stages of permitted work to check it against code before it is covered up. Common stages include footings, framing, rough-in, insulation and final. Work covered before it is inspected may have to be opened back up.Also called: building inspection, inspection.See also: Rough-in inspection, Final inspection, Building permit.
PEX pipe Plumbing: Flexible plastic water supply tubing, short for cross-linked polyethylene, often red, blue or white. It bends around corners with fewer fittings, is less likely than rigid pipe to burst when frozen and is widely used for repipes; fittings come in crimp, clamp and expansion styles.See also: Repipe, Copper pipe.
Pigtail Electrical: Short length of wire spliced onto a circuit so only one wire connects to an outlet, switch or breaker terminal. Electricians use pigtails to fix a double tap, where two wires share a terminal made for one, and to join aluminum wiring to copper with connectors rated for both metals.See also: Aluminum wiring, Junction box, Circuit breaker.
Pipe boot Roofing: A flashing collar, usually a rubber gasket on a metal or plastic base, that seals around a plumbing vent pipe where it comes through the roof. The rubber often cracks from sun exposure well before the shingles wear out, making it a common source of small leaks.Also called: vent pipe flashing, pipe collar.See also: Flashing.
Plaster and lath Walls, paint and trim: The wall system common before drywall: wet plaster troweled on in coats over narrow wood strips, or later metal mesh, nailed to the framing. It is harder and quieter than drywall but cracks and loosens with age, and patching or running new wiring through it takes more labor.Also called: lath and plaster.See also: Drywall, Skim coat.
Plumbing vent Plumbing: Pipe that runs from the drain system up through the roof to let air into the drains and sewer gas out. Poor venting makes drains gurgle, run slowly or pull the water out of traps; a bid for a new bathroom or moved fixture should show how each fixture will be vented.Also called: vent stack, vent pipe.See also: Air admittance valve, Drain-waste-vent system, P-trap.
Polybutylene pipe Plumbing: Gray plastic water supply pipe, sometimes blue or black, put in many homes from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s. It is known to fail without warning at fittings and where chlorine in the water breaks it down, so inspectors and insurers often flag it and replacement is usually recommended.Also called: PB pipe, poly pipe.See also: Repipe, PEX pipe.
Popcorn ceiling Walls, paint and trim: A bumpy sprayed-on ceiling texture popular from the 1950s into the 1980s, used to hide flaws and soften sound. Some older ones contain asbestos, so have a sample tested before anyone scrapes. Removal is messy and usually leaves a ceiling that needs skim coating before paint.Also called: acoustic ceiling, cottage cheese ceiling.See also: Wall texture, Skim coat.
Porcelain tile Flooring and tile: A dense, hard tile fired hotter than ceramic so it absorbs very little water. It wears well on floors, in showers and outdoors in freezing climates, but is harder to cut and drill, so labor runs higher. Through-body porcelain has the same color all the way through, so chips show less.See also: Ceramic tile, Large-format tile, Thinset mortar.
Prehung door Windows and doors: A door that comes already hung on hinges in its own frame, ready to set into the rough opening. It costs more than a slab, which is the door alone, but is easier to make work well when the old frame is damaged or out of square.Also called: prehung unit.See also: Jamb, Threshold, Rough opening.
Pressure tank Plumbing: Tank on a private well system that stores water under air pressure so the pump doesn't start every time a faucet opens. When its internal air bladder fails, the tank fills with water and the pump clicks on and off rapidly, which shortens pump life.Also called: well tank, bladder tank.See also: Well pump.
Pressure-reducing valve Plumbing: Bell-shaped valve on the main water line that lowers high street pressure to a safer level for the house, commonly set around 50 to 60 psi (pounds per square inch). Too much pressure wears out fixtures, hoses and water heaters; a failing valve can cause banging pipes or pressure that swings up and down.Also called: PRV, pressure regulator.See also: Expansion tank, Main shutoff.
Pressure-treated lumber Structure and framing: Wood forced full of preservatives to resist rot and insects, used where wood touches concrete, soil or steady moisture, such as sill plates, deck framing and fence posts. Wood in the ground needs a ground-contact rating, and fasteners must be rated for treated wood because the chemicals corrode plain steel.Also called: PT lumber, treated lumber.See also: Sill plate, Deck ledger, Fence post.
Primer Walls, paint and trim: A first coat that seals a surface so the paint over it sticks well and looks even. New drywall, bare wood and patches need it, and stain-blocking primers stop water marks, smoke and wood tannins from bleeding through. Paint-and-primer-in-one products suit painted walls, not bare surfaces.See also: Paint sheen, Joint compound, VOC.
Productivity Pricing: How much work a crew finishes per hour, such as square feet of flooring laid, or how many hours one unit takes, such as one water heater. Pricewright turns the job's quantity into labor hours with a productivity range, then adds per-job time for setup, travel and cleanup.Also called: production rate, labor units.See also: Crew, Unit cost method, Loaded wage.
Profit margin Pricing: The share of the selling price a contractor keeps after paying job costs and overhead, which carries the business through slow seasons and pays for equipment and callbacks. A contractor needs one to stay in business. Pricewright combines overhead and margin into one stated percentage range.Also called: margin, profit.See also: Overhead, Markup.
Progress payment Contracts and payment: A payment made partway through a job when a defined stage is finished, such as rough-in passing inspection or cabinets installed. It should match the value of the work done so far, and it is a good time to collect lien waivers for that stage.Also called: draw, installment payment.See also: Payment schedule, Lien waiver, Rough-in inspection.
Property survey Decks, fences and yard: A map prepared by a licensed land surveyor showing a lot's boundaries, corner markers, buildings and recorded easements. It is the reliable way to know where a fence, addition or driveway can go; a tax map or rough plat is not precise enough for building near a line.Also called: boundary survey, land survey.See also: Fence post, Call 811.
Punch list Contracts and payment: A written list of small items left to finish or fix near the end of a job, such as paint touch-ups, missing trim or a sticking door. Agree on it in writing with dates, and hold back enough of the final payment to cover it until the items are done.Also called: punchlist, snag list.See also: Final walkthrough, Retainage, Substantial completion.
PVC pipe Plumbing: White plastic pipe, short for polyvinyl chloride, used mostly for drains, vents and sewer lines and joined with primer and solvent cement. Black ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) pipe does the same job in some regions, and local code decides which is allowed. High-efficiency furnaces often vent through PVC.See also: Drain-waste-vent system, Cast iron drain pipe, Sewer line.

Q

Quartz countertop Kitchens and baths: An engineered slab made mostly of crushed quartz bound with resin and pigment. It is uniform in color, nonporous and needs no sealing, but hot pans can scorch the resin and some colors fade in strong sun. It is not the same as quartzite, which is a natural stone.Also called: engineered stone, engineered quartz.See also: Granite countertop, Solid surface countertop, Undermount sink.
Quote Contracts and payment: A contractor's firm price for a specific scope of work, usually good for a limited time. Unlike an estimate, it is meant to be the price you pay unless the scope changes, but check for an expiration date and any clause allowing increases if material prices rise.Also called: quotation, firm price.See also: Bid, Estimate, Fixed-price contract.

R

R-value Insulation and energy: Number that rates how well a material resists heat flow; the higher it is, the better it insulates. Values add up across layers, and recommended attic and wall levels depend on climate zone, so check that a bid states the target R-value and not just inches of depth.Also called: thermal resistance.See also: Blown-in insulation, Batt insulation, Thermal bridging.
Radiant barrier Insulation and energy: Shiny foil sheet or coating in an attic, usually on the underside of the roof, that reflects the sun's heat instead of letting it radiate down onto the insulation. It helps most in hot, sunny climates with ducts in the attic and does little in cold climates.Also called: reflective foil.See also: R-value, Ductwork.
Radon Hazards: A colorless, odorless radioactive gas that seeps up from soil and rock and can build up indoors, especially in basements. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking; testing, with a short-term kit or a longer-term test, is the only way to know a home's level.See also: Radon mitigation.
Radon mitigation Hazards: A system that lowers indoor radon, most often a pipe from under the slab or a crawl space membrane up past the roofline, with a fan that pulls soil gas out before it enters the house. A follow-up test after installation should confirm the level dropped; certification rules vary by state.Also called: sub-slab depressurization, radon system.See also: Radon, Crawl space, Slab foundation.
Rafter Structure and framing: One of the sloped framing boards that run from the roof peak down to the walls and support the roof deck. Rafters are cut and assembled on site, unlike factory-built trusses, and usually leave more open attic space.See also: Truss, Roof deck, Sistering.
Range hood Kitchens and baths: A fan and canopy over a cooktop that pulls out smoke, grease and cooking moisture. Types mount under a cabinet, on the wall as a chimney, over an island, or rise from behind the cooktop (downdraft). A ducted hood vents outdoors; a recirculating hood only filters the air and returns it to the kitchen.Also called: vent hood, exhaust hood.See also: Range hood CFM, Makeup air.
Range hood CFM Kitchens and baths: The airflow a range hood's fan can move, in cubic feet per minute (CFM). Bigger, hotter cooktops need more, but hood size and mounting height matter as much as raw airflow, and the duct must be large enough to reach the rating. High-CFM hoods can trigger a makeup-air requirement.Also called: hood airflow, hood CFM.See also: Range hood, Makeup air, Sone rating.
Rebar Concrete and masonry: Ridged steel bars set inside concrete to hold it together and resist cracking under bending and pulling forces. It must be held up off the ground on small supports called chairs so concrete surrounds it; welded wire mesh is a lighter alternative in some slabs.Also called: reinforcing bar, reinforcing steel.See also: Control joint, Slab foundation.
Recessed light Electrical: Light fixture set into the ceiling so it sits flush. Thin LED wafer types often need no housing; in a ceiling under an attic, choose fixtures rated IC (insulation contact) and airtight, so insulation can cover them and they don't leak heated or cooled air into the attic.Also called: can light, pot light, downlight.See also: Air sealing, Junction box.
Refrigerant Heating and cooling: Fluid that circulates through an air conditioner or heat pump, absorbing heat indoors and releasing it outside. Older systems use R-22, which has been phased out; newer equipment is moving from R-410A to lower-impact types such as R-454B and R-32. A system that keeps needing a recharge has a leak.See also: Line set, Condenser, Short cycling.
Regional price difference Pricing: The gap between what the same job costs in one area and another, driven mostly by local wages, along with demand, permit costs and travel. The same bid can be fair in a high-wage metro and high in a lower-wage one, which is why a fair price needs a ZIP code.Also called: regional pricing, area cost difference.See also: Metro area, Fair price range, Labor rate.
Repipe Plumbing: Replacing most or all of a home's water supply lines, usually because of corroded galvanized, polybutylene or leaking copper pipe. A good bid names the pipe material, says whether new shutoff valves are included and states who patches and paints the wall and ceiling openings afterward.Also called: whole-house repipe.See also: PEX pipe, Galvanized pipe, Polybutylene pipe.
Repointing Concrete and masonry: Raking or grinding out worn mortar from brick or stone joints to a set depth and packing in fresh mortar. The new mortar should match the old in strength, color and joint shape. Tuckpointing is strictly a decorative finishing method, but the word is often used to mean the same thing.Also called: tuckpointing, pointing.See also: Mortar, Spalling.
Retainage Contracts and payment: A portion of each payment, or of the contract total, held back until the job is fully complete and the punch list is done. It gives the contractor a reason to come back and finish; some states limit how much can be held and for how long.Also called: retention, holdback.See also: Punch list, Payment schedule, Substantial completion.
Return air Heating and cooling: Path that brings house air back to the furnace or air handler to be heated or cooled again, through return grilles, usually bigger than supply vents, and return ducts. Too few or undersized returns starve the system, raising noise and wear, and closed rooms without one can feel stuffy.Also called: return grille, return duct, cold air return.See also: Ductwork, MERV rating.
Ridge vent Roofing: A low-profile vent running along the peak of the roof, covered with cap shingles, that lets warm, moist attic air escape. It works with soffit vents that let air in down low; a ridge vent without enough intake air does little.See also: Soffit vent, Ice dam.
Right to cancel Contracts and payment: A legal window, usually three business days, to cancel some contracts and get a full refund. Federal rules cover many sales made in your home and loans secured by your home, and many states add their own home-improvement rules. The contractor must give you written notice and a cancellation form.Also called: cooling-off period, three-day right to cancel, right of rescission.See also: Deposit, Contractor financing.
Rigid core Flooring and tile: A stiff center layer in vinyl plank flooring, either stone-plastic composite (SPC: dense and dent resistant) or wood-plastic composite (WPC: a bit softer and warmer underfoot). Unlike flexible vinyl, it hides small dips in the floor below and clicks together as a floating floor.Also called: SPC, WPC, rigid core vinyl.See also: Vinyl plank flooring, Wear layer, Floating floor.
Rigid foam board Insulation and energy: Stiff foam insulation panels used on basement walls, under slabs and over the outside of wall framing. Common types are expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS) and foil-faced polyisocyanurate, which differ in R-value per inch, moisture tolerance and cost.Also called: foam board, rigid insulation, XPS, EPS.See also: Thermal bridging, Closed-cell spray foam, R-value.
Roof deck Roofing: The layer of plywood, oriented strand board or boards fastened to the rafters or trusses that the roofing is nailed to. Rotted or soft decking often shows up only after tear-off, so bids usually set a per-sheet replacement price; get that unit price in writing.Also called: roof decking, roof sheathing.See also: Tear-off, Sheathing, Rafter.
Roof overlay Roofing: New shingles installed over one existing layer instead of tearing the old roof off. It saves labor and disposal but hides the deck from inspection, adds weight, can shorten the new roof's life and may limit warranties; most codes allow no more than two layers total.Also called: layover, roof-over, re-cover.See also: Tear-off, Roof deck.
Roofing underlayment Roofing: A water-resistant layer, usually synthetic sheet or asphalt-saturated felt, rolled over the roof deck before shingles or metal go on. It is the backup that sheds any water getting past the roofing; synthetic types resist tearing and wrinkling better than felt.Also called: felt paper, synthetic underlayment.See also: Roof deck, Ice and water barrier.
Rough opening Windows and doors: The framed hole in a wall that a window or door fits into, made slightly larger than the unit so it can be shimmed level and plumb. Changing the size of a rough opening means reframing, and in a load-bearing wall, a new header.See also: Header, Full-frame replacement, Sill pan.
Rough-in inspection Permits and codes: A check of new pipes, wires, ducts and their supports after they are installed in open walls or floors but before insulation and drywall hide them. Passing it is often a payment milestone, and walls should stay open until it does.Also called: rough inspection.See also: Permit inspection, Final inspection, Progress payment.

S

Sales tax on materials Pricing: Tax on the materials used in a job, either charged on your bill or paid by the contractor at purchase and built into prices, depending on state law. Some states also tax labor on certain repairs. Pricewright's fair ranges don't include sales tax, so allow for it when comparing.Also called: materials tax.See also: Fair price range, Unit price.
Sash Windows and doors: The part of a window that holds the glass in its own frame and may slide up and down, slide sideways or swing open. Double-hung windows have two sashes that both move; sashes can sometimes be replaced alone when the main frame is still sound.See also: Window frame, Insert replacement.
Scope of work Contracts and payment: The written description of exactly what the contractor will do and supply: tasks, materials and their grades, quantities, prep, cleanup and disposal. It is what the price covers, and a vague scope is the main reason two bids for the same job can't be compared.Also called: scope, statement of work.See also: Exclusions, Allowance, Change order.
Screen and recoat Flooring and tile: Lightly scuffing a wood floor's existing finish with a buffer and fine abrasive screen, then applying a fresh coat of finish. It renews dull, lightly worn floors in about a day, but can't remove deep scratches, stains or bare spots, and won't bond over wax or some factory finishes.Also called: buff and coat, recoat.See also: Hardwood refinishing, Solid hardwood.
Sealant Siding and exterior: A high-performance joint filler, such as silicone, polyurethane or a hybrid polymer, made to stretch and stay bonded as materials expand and contract. It is used for joints that move or take heavy water, such as window perimeters, siding joints and concrete; not every type can be painted.See also: Caulk, Control joint.
Sealcoat Concrete and masonry: A liquid coating, usually an asphalt or coal tar emulsion, spread over asphalt pavement to shield it from water, sun and oil and restore its dark color. It is maintenance, not structural repair: cracks should be filled first, and some states and cities ban coal tar products.Also called: seal coating, driveway sealer.See also: Asphalt paving.
Sediment trap Plumbing: Short capped length of pipe at the bottom of a gas line where it drops to an appliance, catching dirt and moisture before they reach the gas valve. Codes generally require one at furnaces, boilers and water heaters, and inspectors check for it on replacements.Also called: drip leg, dirt leg.See also: Black iron pipe, CSST gas line.
SEER2 Heating and cooling: Cooling efficiency rating for air conditioners and heat pumps, short for seasonal energy efficiency ratio 2, which replaced the older SEER test in 2023. Higher numbers use less electricity; federal minimums differ by region, so check that the quoted equipment meets the rule where you live.See also: HSPF2, Matched system, Central air conditioner.
Segmental retaining wall Concrete and masonry: A retaining wall of concrete blocks stacked without mortar that interlock or step back as they rise. Its strength depends on a compacted base, drainage gravel behind it and, for taller walls, layers of plastic grid reaching back into the soil; many areas require engineering above a set height.Also called: block retaining wall, SRW.See also: Compacted base, French drain, Pavers.
Self-leveling compound Flooring and tile: A pourable cement-based mix that flows out to fill low spots and form a flat surface before tile or flooring goes down. Floating floors and large tiles both need a flat base. Bids often list it as a separate or possible item, because the amount needed is only known once the old floor is up.Also called: self-leveler, floor leveler.See also: Large-format tile, Floating floor.
Septic tank Plumbing: Buried watertight tank that holds household wastewater long enough for solids to settle and break down, then sends the liquid on to the drain field. It needs pumping every few years depending on tank size and household use, and some states and counties require an inspection when a home is sold.See also: Drain field.
Service entrance Electrical: Cables, mast and meter base that bring power from the utility's lines to the main panel, either overhead or underground. Where the utility's responsibility ends and the owner's begins varies by utility; storm-damaged masts and weathered cables are common repair items.Also called: electrical service, service entrance cable.See also: Service upgrade, Main breaker, Electrical panel.
Service upgrade Electrical: Raising how much power a home can draw from the utility, such as going from 100 to 200 amps, by replacing the panel, meter base and service cables. Often needed for heat pumps, EV charging or large remodels; it requires a permit and the utility's involvement, so ask who schedules the utility disconnect.Also called: heavy-up, panel upgrade, service change.See also: Electrical panel, Load management device, Service entrance.
Setback Permits and codes: The minimum distance local zoning requires between a building, deck, fence or other structure and the property lines, street or neighboring buildings. Additions, garages and decks that crowd a property line may need a variance.Also called: setback line, yard requirement.See also: Zoning, Variance.
Sewer camera inspection Plumbing: Video check of a drain or sewer line with a small camera on a cable, fed in through a cleanout, roof vent or toilet opening. It shows roots, cracks, sags (low spots that hold water) and offset joints; ask for a copy of the video with distance readings so other contractors can bid on the same problem.Also called: sewer scope, video pipe inspection.See also: Sewer line, Cleanout, Trenchless sewer repair.
Sewer line Plumbing: Underground pipe that carries all of the house's wastewater to the public sewer main or a septic tank. Owners usually maintain it from the house to the main, sometimes even under the street, depending on the city; roots, sags and broken joints are common problems.Also called: sewer lateral, building sewer, main drain.See also: Sewer camera inspection, Trenchless sewer repair, Cleanout.
Sheathing Structure and framing: Plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) panels nailed over wall studs or roof framing. They stiffen the frame and give siding or roofing something to fasten to, under a weather barrier. Soft or stained sheathing found during a siding or roof job is usually replaced by the sheet.Also called: OSB, plywood.See also: Stud, House wrap, Roof deck.
SHGC Windows and doors: Short for solar heat gain coefficient, a number between 0 and 1 showing how much of the sun's heat a window lets through. Lower numbers block more heat, which helps in hot, sunny climates; higher numbers can help in cold ones. It appears on the window's energy rating label.Also called: solar heat gain coefficient.See also: U-factor, Low-E coating.
Shoe molding Walls, paint and trim: A thin, flexible strip nailed along the bottom of baseboard to cover the gap at the floor's edge. It is often added with new flooring, because floating floors need an expansion gap at the walls that the shoe hides. Quarter round is a similar strip with a fuller rounded profile.Also called: base shoe.See also: Baseboard, Expansion gap.
Short cycling Heating and cooling: Heating or cooling equipment turning on and off in short bursts instead of running steady cycles. Common causes are an oversized system, a clogged filter, a badly placed thermostat or a refrigerant problem; it wears parts faster and, in cooling mode, removes less humidity.See also: HVAC load calculation, MERV rating, Smart thermostat.
Shower pan Kitchens and baths: The waterproof floor of a shower that sends water to the drain: either a molded base of acrylic, fiberglass or composite, or a tiled floor over a sloped mortar bed with a waterproof liner or membrane. A leaking pan often shows up as stains on the ceiling below or loose tile outside the shower.Also called: shower base, shower floor.See also: Waterproofing membrane, Curbless shower, Shower surround.
Shower surround Kitchens and baths: The wall covering around a tub or shower: tile over a waterproofed backer, or panels of acrylic, fiberglass, solid surface or similar material. Panels go up faster and leave few seams to clean; tile offers more choice but needs a membrane behind it and grout upkeep.Also called: tub surround, shower walls.See also: Waterproofing membrane, Cement backer board, Alcove tub.
Shower valve Plumbing: Valve inside the wall behind the shower handle that controls flow and mixes hot and cold water. Most codes require pressure-balancing or thermostatic types that guard against sudden scalding; new handle trim must be made for the valve body, so a full style change may mean opening the wall.Also called: mixing valve, pressure-balancing valve, tub and shower valve.See also: Tank water heater.
Shutoff valve Plumbing: Small valve on the water line to a single fixture, usually under a sink or behind a toilet, that cuts water to just that fixture. Older multi-turn valves often stick or drip, so many plumbers replace them whenever they put in a new faucet or toilet.Also called: angle stop, stop valve, supply stop.See also: Supply line, Main shutoff.
Sill Windows and doors: The bottom horizontal part of a window or door frame, sloped so water runs outward. Sills catch more water than any other part of the frame and are the most common place for rot on wood windows and door frames.Also called: windowsill, door sill.See also: Sill pan, Threshold, Window frame.
Sill pan Windows and doors: A waterproof tray of metal, plastic or flexible flashing tape set in the bottom of a window or door opening before the unit goes in. Its turned-up back and sides send any water that leaks past the unit back outside; many window and door makers call for one in their instructions.Also called: pan flashing, sill flashing.See also: Rough opening, Flashing, Sill.
Sill plate Structure and framing: The board, usually pressure-treated, laid flat on top of the foundation wall and held down with anchor bolts or straps; the floor framing and walls are built on it. Rot or insect damage here is a common and fairly involved structural repair.Also called: mudsill.See also: Foundation, Pressure-treated lumber, Wood rot.
Sistering Structure and framing: Fastening a new board alongside a damaged, cracked or undersized joist or rafter so the two work together. It is a common fix that avoids tearing out the old member; ask how far the new piece will extend past the damage and how it will be fastened.Also called: sistered joist.See also: Joist, Rafter.
Skim coat Walls, paint and trim: A thin layer of joint compound or plaster spread over a whole wall or ceiling to make it smooth, used to hide texture, patchwork or damaged paper. It takes several coats with drying and sanding between them, so expect it to be priced by the square foot and to take more than a day.Also called: skimming.See also: Joint compound, Drywall finish level, Popcorn ceiling.
Slab foundation Structure and framing: A concrete floor poured on prepared ground, with thickened edges or footings, that serves as both foundation and first floor, with no basement or crawl space. Pipes run in the ground beneath it, so drain or supply line repairs may mean cutting the floor open.Also called: slab-on-grade.See also: Foundation, Footing, Rebar.
Slab lifting Concrete and masonry: Raising a sunken concrete slab back toward level by pumping material through small drilled holes, either a cement-based slurry (mudjacking) or expanding polyurethane foam. It usually costs less than replacement but will not save a badly broken slab or fix soil that keeps washing out.Also called: mudjacking, foam jacking, slabjacking.See also: Compacted base, Spalling.
Smart thermostat Heating and cooling: Internet-connected thermostat that can be adjusted from a phone, follow schedules and report energy use. Many need a common wire, or C-wire, for steady power; heat pump, dual-fuel and multi-stage systems need a model and wiring that support them.Also called: connected thermostat.See also: Heat pump, Dual-fuel system, Auxiliary heat.
Soffit Siding and exterior: The finished underside of the roof overhang, between the fascia and the house wall. It may be wood, vinyl, aluminum or fiber cement, solid or vented; vented soffit feeds air to the attic, and gaps in it are a common way in for birds, bats and insects.See also: Fascia, Soffit vent.
Soffit vent Roofing: An opening or perforated panel in the soffit under the roof overhang that lets outside air into the attic. Soffit vents supply the intake half of attic ventilation; insulation must not block them, and baffles are often added to keep the air path open.See also: Soffit, Ridge vent, Ice dam.
Soft-close hardware Kitchens and baths: Hinges and drawer slides with a built-in damper that catches a door or drawer near the end of its travel and eases it shut quietly. It is standard on many new cabinets and can often be added to existing ones by swapping hinges or slides; check that a bid covers both doors and drawers.Also called: soft-close hinges, soft-close drawer slides.See also: Cabinet refacing, Frameless cabinet.
Solid hardwood Flooring and tile: Flooring milled from one piece of wood through its full thickness, usually three-quarters of an inch. It can be sanded and refinished many times over its life, but it swells and shrinks with humidity, so it is nailed over wood subfloors and kept out of basements and wet areas.Also called: hardwood flooring.See also: Engineered wood flooring, Nail-down installation, Hardwood refinishing.
Solid surface countertop Kitchens and baths: A cast surface of acrylic or polyester resin and mineral filler, the same color all the way through. Seams can be nearly invisible and sinks can be molded in, and scratches or small burns sand out, but it is softer than stone and can be marked by hot pans.Also called: solid surface.See also: Quartz countertop, Laminate countertop.
Sone rating Kitchens and baths: A measure of how loud a fan sounds to people, printed on bathroom exhaust fans and range hoods. Lower is quieter: about one sone is like a quiet refrigerator, and twice the sones sounds twice as loud. A quiet fan is one people actually run long enough to clear the air.Also called: sones.See also: Bathroom exhaust fan, Range hood.
Spalling Concrete and masonry: Flaking, chipping or popping off of the surface of concrete, brick or stone, usually from water freezing inside it, deicing salts or rusting steel within. Small areas can be patched, but widespread spalling means the water source must be fixed and the damaged masonry may need replacing.Also called: scaling.See also: Efflorescence, Chimney crown, Curing.
Square Roofing: The unit roofers use to measure a roof: one square covers 100 square feet of roof surface. Bids often list the number of squares, normally with an added waste allowance for cuts at hips, valleys and edges.Also called: roofing square.See also: Architectural shingle, Tear-off.
Square foot Pricing: A unit of area one foot by one foot, abbreviated SF or sq ft, used to price flooring, tile, drywall, painting and more. Check which area a bid measured, since floor area and wall area differ, and whether waste was added on top.Also called: SF, sq ft.See also: Linear foot, Waste factor, Unit price.
Stain-grade trim Walls, paint and trim: Molding milled from clear, well-matched solid wood meant to be stained or finished clear so the grain shows. It costs more than paint-grade, and joints and nail holes can't hide under paint, so it demands tighter carpentry and usually more labor.See also: Paint-grade trim, Casing.
Stamped concrete Concrete and masonry: Concrete pressed with textured mats while still soft, then colored and sealed to look like stone, brick or tile. It looks custom but needs resealing every few years, can be slippery when wet, and shows cracks more than plain concrete.Also called: decorative concrete.See also: Broom finish, Exposed aggregate, Control joint.
Standby generator Electrical: Permanently installed generator, usually fueled by natural gas or propane, that starts on its own within seconds of an outage through an automatic transfer switch. A bid should cover the pad, gas line sizing, wiring, permits and required distances from windows and property lines, which vary by locality.Also called: whole-house generator, home standby generator.See also: Transfer switch, Generator inlet, Black iron pipe.
Step flashing Roofing: Short bent pieces of metal woven in with each row of shingles where a roof meets a side wall or chimney, overlapping like steps so water runs down and away. At masonry, counterflashing set into the mortar covers its top edge. Ask whether a reroof will replace it or reuse the old pieces.See also: Flashing, Kickout flashing, Chimney crown.
Storm chaser Contracts and payment: A contractor who follows hail, wind or flood damage from town to town, knocking on doors for insurance-paid repairs. Some do good work, but many lack a local license or are gone before warranty problems show. Verify a local address, license and insurance before signing anything.Also called: storm chasing contractor.See also: Contractor license, Workmanship warranty, Deposit.
Structural engineer Structure and framing: A licensed engineer who designs and evaluates the parts of a building that carry weight, such as beams, foundations and framing. A stamped letter or drawing from one is often needed to remove a bearing wall or repair a foundation; licensing rules vary by state.See also: Load-bearing wall, Beam, Foundation.
Stucco Siding and exterior: A cement-based plaster applied in coats over wire lath or masonry to form a hard exterior wall finish. When water gets behind it through missing flashing or cracks, damage can stay hidden for years, so moisture probing is common before buying a stucco house or repairing one.Also called: cement plaster.See also: Kickout flashing, Moisture meter, House wrap.
Stud Structure and framing: One of the vertical framing members, usually wood 2x4s or 2x6s, that make up a wall. Studs are typically spaced 16 or 24 inches apart, measured center to center, and drywall, sheathing and cabinets are fastened to them.Also called: wall stud.See also: Header, Sheathing, Load-bearing wall.
Stump grinding Decks, fences and yard: Chipping a tree stump down below the soil surface with a spinning cutter wheel, leaving the roots in the ground to decay. Bids should state the grinding depth and whether chips are hauled away and the hole filled with topsoil; full stump removal is a bigger job.See also: Arborist, Call 811.
Subcontractor Contracts and payment: A tradesperson or company hired by the general contractor, not by you, to do part of the job, such as plumbing, electrical or drywall. Ask which trades will be subcontracted and whether those firms are licensed and insured, and collect their lien waivers.Also called: sub, trade contractor.See also: General contractor, Lien waiver, Mechanic's lien.
Subfloor Structure and framing: The structural panel layer, usually plywood or oriented strand board, fastened on top of the floor joists, with the finished flooring laid over it. Water-damaged, squeaky or uneven subfloor often must be fixed before new flooring goes down, which can add to a bid once the old floor is up.See also: Joist, Sheathing.
Subpanel Electrical: Smaller breaker panel fed from the main panel to add circuits in a garage, addition or far part of the house. It adds breaker spaces but not more total power, and unlike the main panel it must keep neutral and ground wires on separate bars.Also called: sub-panel, secondary panel.See also: Electrical panel, Service upgrade.
Substantial completion Contracts and payment: The point when work is far enough along to use the space as intended, even though small punch-list items remain. Contracts often tie a large payment, warranty start dates and deadlines to it, so agree in writing on when it is reached.See also: Punch list, Final walkthrough, Retainage.
Sump pump Plumbing: Pump in a pit at the low point of a basement or crawl space that pushes groundwater out and away from the house. A battery or water-powered backup keeps it working in a power outage, which is often when heavy storms hit; the discharge pipe should end well away from the foundation.See also: Crawl space encapsulation.
Supply line Plumbing: Short flexible hose that connects a shutoff valve to a faucet, toilet or appliance. Braided stainless steel lines hold up better than plain plastic or rubber ones, and many plumbers replace them with any fixture swap, since a burst line can flood a room fast.Also called: supply hose, water connector.See also: Shutoff valve.

T

Tank water heater Plumbing: Insulated tank, commonly 30 to 80 gallons for a house, that keeps water hot with a gas burner or electric elements. A replacement bid should state size, fuel, venting changes, expansion tank, drain pan, permit and hauling away the old unit, since these extras explain much of the gap between quotes.Also called: storage water heater.See also: Tankless water heater, Anode rod, Expansion tank.
Tankless water heater Plumbing: Unit that heats water only as it flows through, so it doesn't run out but can serve only so many taps at once. Gas models often need a larger gas line, new venting and an electrical outlet, and all types need periodic flushing to remove mineral scale, especially with hard water.Also called: on-demand water heater, instantaneous water heater.See also: Tank water heater, Water softener.
Tear-off Roofing: Removing all existing roofing layers down to the deck before new roofing goes on. It adds labor and disposal compared with an overlay but lets the crew inspect and replace bad decking, flashing and underlayment; bids usually state how many layers they expect to remove.Also called: roof removal, strip.See also: Roof overlay, Roof deck.
Temperature and pressure relief valve Plumbing: Safety valve on every water heater that opens if the tank gets too hot or the pressure too high, so the tank can't burst. Its discharge pipe must run to a safe spot near the floor, a drain or outdoors; a valve that drips often points to high water pressure or a missing expansion tank.Also called: T&P valve, TPR valve, relief valve.See also: Expansion tank, Tank water heater, Pressure-reducing valve.
Tempered glass Windows and doors: Glass heat-treated to be several times stronger than ordinary glass and to break into small, blunt pieces instead of sharp shards. Codes require it in hazardous spots, such as glass doors, tub and shower enclosures, and windows close to the floor or next to doors.Also called: safety glass.See also: Insulated glass unit.
Thermal bridging Insulation and energy: Heat leaking through framing, metal or concrete that runs straight from the warm side of a wall to the cold side, bypassing the insulation between studs. It is why a wall's real R-value is lower than the label on its insulation, and why continuous foam board outside the framing helps.Also called: thermal bridge.See also: Rigid foam board, R-value.
Thinset mortar Flooring and tile: A cement-based adhesive troweled on in a thin layer to bond tile to its base. Modified thinsets contain polymers for extra grip and flexibility; tile and membrane makers say which kind to use, often as a warranty condition. Full coverage under each tile, without hollow spots, keeps tile from cracking.Also called: thinset, thin-set, dry-set mortar.See also: Grout, Cement backer board, Uncoupling membrane.
Three-tab shingle Roofing: A flat, single-layer asphalt shingle with slots that divide its exposed edge into three tabs, giving a uniform, brick-like pattern. Thinner and less wind-resistant than architectural shingles, it has become less common, and matching it for a repair can be hard.Also called: 3-tab shingle, strip shingle.See also: Architectural shingle.
Threshold Windows and doors: The strip across the bottom of a door opening that you step over, usually wood, aluminum or composite. On exterior doors it seals against the door bottom and sheds water outward, and many can be raised or lowered with screws to stop drafts.Also called: saddle.See also: Weatherstripping, Sill, Prehung door.
Tile edge trim Flooring and tile: A metal or plastic strip set into the mortar along exposed tile edges, outside corners and floor changes, giving a clean finished edge where the tile's cut side would otherwise show. Rounded bullnose tile does the same job in the tile itself. Bids should say which edge treatment you get.Also called: tile edge profile, metal edge trim.See also: Transition strip, Backsplash.
Time and materials Contracts and payment: A billing method where you pay for actual hours at a set hourly rate plus materials at cost or with a markup. It suits repairs and jobs with unknowns but puts the risk of slow work on you, so ask for daily time logs and receipts and consider a not-to-exceed cap.Also called: T&M, time and material.See also: Not-to-exceed, Cost-plus contract, Markup.
Toe kick Kitchens and baths: The recessed strip at the bottom of base cabinets that lets you stand close to the counter without stubbing your toes. A separate panel usually covers it and hides gaps against an uneven floor; some kitchens fit shallow drawers or heater vents into it.Also called: kick plate, toe space.See also: Filler strip, Cabinet box.
Toilet flange Plumbing: Ring fastened to the floor around the drain opening that a toilet bolts to and seals against. A cracked, loose or too-low flange causes rocking and leaks; repairing it or adding a spacer is a common add-on when a toilet is pulled.Also called: closet flange.See also: Wax ring, Toilet rough-in.
Toilet rough-in Plumbing: Distance from the finished wall behind a toilet to the center of its floor drain, most often 12 inches, with 10- and 14-inch spacing in some homes. A new toilet must match it, so measure before choosing one.Also called: rough-in distance.See also: Toilet flange.
Tonnage Heating and cooling: Cooling capacity of an air conditioner or heat pump, where one ton equals 12,000 BTUs (British thermal units) of heat removed per hour. Houses typically use between 1.5 and 5 tons; when bids differ in size, ask each contractor how they sized the system rather than assuming bigger is better.Also called: tons, cooling capacity.See also: HVAC load calculation, Short cycling, Central air conditioner.
TPO Roofing: A single-ply roofing membrane (thermoplastic polyolefin), usually white, for low-slope roofs. Its seams are heat-welded into a continuous sheet and its light color reflects sunlight; quality varies with thickness and installer, so ask what thickness is quoted.See also: Low-slope roof, EPDM.
Transfer switch Electrical: Switch that moves selected circuits, or the whole house, from utility power to generator power and keeps the two from ever connecting. That separation protects line workers from power fed back into the grid; automatic versions pair with standby generators, manual ones with portable units.See also: Standby generator, Interlock kit, Generator inlet.
Transition strip Flooring and tile: A molding that bridges the joint where one floor meets another or ends at a doorway, covering the expansion gap and easing any height change. Types include T-molding for floors of equal height, reducers for a step down, and end caps or thresholds at doors and sliders.Also called: threshold, T-molding, reducer.See also: Expansion gap, Tile edge trim.
Trenchless sewer repair Plumbing: Fixing or replacing a buried sewer line through small access pits instead of a long trench. Pipe lining cures a resin sleeve inside the old pipe; pipe bursting pulls a new pipe through while breaking the old one apart. Not every line qualifies, but it can spare driveways, trees and landscaping.Also called: pipe lining, pipe bursting, cured-in-place pipe.See also: Sewer line, Sewer camera inspection.
Trip charge Pricing: A flat fee for sending a technician to your home, covering drive time and vehicle costs, owed whether or not a repair follows. Some companies credit it toward the repair if you go ahead; ask before booking.Also called: service call fee, dispatch fee.See also: Minimum charge.
Truss Structure and framing: A factory-built triangular frame of lumber joined with metal plates that holds up a roof or floor over long spans. Each piece is part of an engineered design, so trusses should never be cut, notched or altered on site without an engineer's approval.Also called: roof truss.See also: Rafter, Structural engineer.
Two-prong outlet Electrical: Older outlet with no ground hole, on a circuit without a ground wire. Swapping in a three-prong outlet without adding a ground isn't allowed unless the circuit has GFCI protection and the outlet is labeled, a common code-accepted fix short of rewiring.Also called: ungrounded outlet.See also: GFCI outlet, Whole-house rewire, Knob-and-tube wiring.

U

U-factor Windows and doors: A number measuring how fast a whole window or door lets heat pass through it; lower is better. It is the most useful single figure for comparing windows in cold climates and appears on the product's energy rating label.Also called: U-value.See also: SHGC, Low-E coating, Insulated glass unit.
Uncoupling membrane Flooring and tile: A thin plastic sheet with a waffle or grid pattern set in thinset between a floor and its tile, letting the two move slightly on their own. It helps keep tile and grout from cracking over wood subfloors or cracked concrete, and some versions also waterproof.Also called: crack isolation membrane.See also: Waterproofing membrane, Thinset mortar, Cement backer board.
Undermount sink Kitchens and baths: A bowl mounted to the underside of a stone, quartz or solid surface countertop so the counter edge runs straight into the sink and crumbs can be wiped right in. It needs a water-resistant countertop with a polished cutout, and replacing it later can mean lifting the countertop.Also called: undercounter sink.See also: Drop-in sink, Quartz countertop, Granite countertop.
Unit cost method Pricing: A way to estimate a job by pricing each part per unit: materials as quantity times unit price plus waste, labor as hours from productivity times a local wage. Pricewright builds each fair range this way and adds overhead and margin on a separate line, so every number can be traced.Also called: unit pricing.See also: Unit price, Productivity, Waste factor.
Unit price Pricing: The cost of one unit of something, such as a square foot of flooring, a gallon of paint or one toilet. Bids priced per unit are easier to compare, as long as both bids count the same quantity and include the same things.Also called: price per unit.See also: Unit cost method, Square foot, Linear foot.

V

Valley Roofing: The inside angle where two roof slopes meet and channel water together, carrying more runoff than any other part of the roof. It can be finished open, with exposed metal, or closed with woven or cut shingles, and should have ice and water barrier underneath.See also: Ice and water barrier, Flashing.
Vanity Kitchens and baths: A bathroom cabinet with a sink and countertop, sold as a set or assembled from separate pieces. Replacing one means reconnecting water and drain lines and often patching wall and floor where the old one sat, so check whether a bid covers the plumbing, faucet and floor beneath.Also called: bathroom vanity, vanity cabinet.See also: Undermount sink, Vessel sink, Backsplash.
Vapor retarder Insulation and energy: Layer such as kraft paper facing, plastic sheeting or certain paints that slows water vapor moving into a wall or ceiling, where it could condense. Whether one is needed, and on which side of the insulation, depends on climate; the wrong one can trap moisture, so local code should guide it.Also called: vapor barrier.See also: Crawl space encapsulation, Open-cell spray foam, Closed-cell spray foam.
Variable-speed system Heating and cooling: Heating or cooling equipment whose blower or compressor runs at many speeds instead of only full blast or off. Long, low-speed cycles even out temperatures, pull more humidity and run quieter, though the electronic parts can cost more to repair; two-stage equipment is the middle step.Also called: inverter system, modulating system, variable-capacity.See also: Gas furnace, Heat pump, Short cycling.
Variance Permits and codes: Official permission to depart from a zoning rule, such as a setback or height limit, for one particular property. It usually involves an application, notice to neighbors, a public hearing and weeks or months of waiting, so build that time into any project that needs one.Also called: zoning variance.See also: Zoning, Setback.
Vermiculite insulation Hazards: Loose, pebble-like attic insulation, light brown, gold or grayish, made from an expanded mineral. Much of what was sold came from ore contaminated with asbestos, so federal guidance is to assume it may contain asbestos, leave it undisturbed and hire trained professionals if it must be removed.See also: Asbestos, Abatement.
Vessel sink Kitchens and baths: A bowl that sits on top of the countertop rather than in it. It needs a taller faucet mounted on the deck or wall and usually a lower vanity to keep the rim at a comfortable height, and it splashes more than a recessed bowl.Also called: bowl sink, above-counter sink.See also: Vanity, Drop-in sink, Undermount sink.
Vinyl plank flooring Flooring and tile: Planks of layered vinyl with a printed wood or stone look under a clear wear layer. Flexible versions are glued down; rigid-core versions click together and float. It handles spills better than laminate or wood, though water that gets underneath can still harm the subfloor.Also called: LVP, luxury vinyl plank, vinyl plank.See also: Rigid core, Wear layer, Laminate flooring.
Vinyl siding Siding and exterior: Plastic siding panels, mostly PVC, that hang loosely on their nails so they can expand and contract with temperature. It needs little upkeep but can crack in cold, warp from heat or reflected sunlight, and is hard to color-match for repairs once it fades.See also: House wrap, Fiber cement siding.
VOC Walls, paint and trim: Short for volatile organic compounds: solvent chemicals that evaporate from paints, primers, finishes and adhesives as they dry and cause much of the fresh-paint smell. Low- and zero-VOC products cut indoor fumes; ventilate anyway, and check that the product on your bid is the one you chose.Also called: volatile organic compounds, low-VOC, zero-VOC.See also: Primer, Paint sheen.

W

Wainscoting Walls, paint and trim: Wood paneling, beadboard or applied molding covering the lower part of a wall, usually topped by a narrow cap or chair rail. It protects walls in dining rooms, halls and baths. Styles built up from many pieces take far more labor than sheet beadboard.Also called: wainscot, beadboard paneling.See also: Paint-grade trim, Baseboard.
Walk-in tub Kitchens and baths: A tall bathtub with a watertight door in its side and a built-in seat, so the bather steps in instead of over the rim. You must sit inside while it fills and drains, and it may need a larger water heater or its own circuit. Get written bids from more than one seller and read any financing terms closely.Also called: walk-in bathtub.See also: Grab bar, Contractor financing, Freestanding tub.
Wall texture Walls, paint and trim: A pattern of joint compound sprayed or troweled onto drywall, such as orange peel (fine spatter), knockdown (spatter flattened with a blade) or skip trowel. It hides flaws better than a smooth wall. On a repair, matching the existing texture so the patch disappears is part of the skill.Also called: orange peel, knockdown, skip trowel.See also: Popcorn ceiling, Skim coat, Drywall finish level.
Waste factor Pricing: Extra material ordered beyond the measured amount to cover offcuts, mistakes and spares. Diagonal, herringbone and patterned layouts waste more than straight ones. Pricewright adds it as a coverage factor on materials that are cut to fit, such as flooring.Also called: overage, cut waste, coverage factor.See also: Square foot, Unit cost method, Square.
Water damage category Hazards: A rating of how dirty the water in a leak or flood is: category 1 is clean, as from a supply line; category 2 is gray water with some contamination, as from a washer overflow; category 3 is grossly contaminated, such as sewage or floodwater. Higher categories mean more material must be thrown out.Also called: category 1 water, gray water, black water.See also: Mold, Moisture meter, Containment.
Water service line Plumbing: Underground pipe that brings water from the street main or a well to the house. Owners usually own the part on their property; older lines may be lead or galvanized steel, and many water utilities are now finding and replacing lead lines, with programs and rules varying by city.Also called: main water line, service pipe.See also: Main shutoff, Galvanized pipe.
Water softener Plumbing: Appliance that removes hardness minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium, from incoming water by trading them for sodium or potassium. Softer water means less scale in water heaters, fixtures and appliances; the unit needs a drain, a power outlet and regular salt refills.See also: Tankless water heater, Tank water heater.
Waterproofing membrane Flooring and tile: A liquid coating rolled on, or a sheet bonded over the backer, in showers, tub surrounds and wet floors, forming a continuous barrier under the tile. Tile and grout let water through, so the membrane keeps the walls dry. Ask which system is used and whether it gets a flood test before tiling.Also called: shower waterproofing.See also: Shower pan, Cement backer board, Uncoupling membrane.
Wax ring Plumbing: Ring of wax that seals the base of a toilet to the floor drain so water and sewer gas can't escape. It is replaced every time the toilet is lifted off the floor; wax-free foam or rubber seals are a less messy alternative.Also called: toilet seal, wax gasket.See also: Toilet flange.
Wear layer Flooring and tile: The clear top coat on vinyl flooring that takes scuffs and foot traffic, measured in mils (thousandths of an inch); thicker lasts longer. On engineered wood, the term means the real-wood top layer, whose thickness sets how many times the floor can be sanded.See also: Vinyl plank flooring, Engineered wood flooring, Laminate wear rating.
Weatherstripping Windows and doors: Flexible strips of foam, rubber, vinyl or metal that seal the gaps between a door or window sash and its frame when closed. It flattens, tears or wears out over the years; replacing it is a low-cost way to stop drafts and leaks without replacing the unit.Also called: weather seal.See also: Threshold, Sash.
Well pump Plumbing: Pump that lifts water from a private well into the house, either a submersible pump down in the well casing or a jet pump above ground for shallow wells. A replacement bid should give the pump size and depth and say whether the wiring, drop pipe and pressure tank are included.See also: Pressure tank.
Whole-house rewire Electrical: Replacing most or all of a home's old wiring with new grounded cable, often because of knob-and-tube, cloth-covered or damaged wiring. Electricians fish new cable through walls with small openings, so ask whether patching and painting are in the bid or left to someone else.Also called: rewire.See also: Knob-and-tube wiring, Nonmetallic sheathed cable, Two-prong outlet.
Whole-house surge protector Electrical: Device at the electrical panel or meter that sends voltage spikes from lightning or utility switching to ground before they reach household wiring and electronics. Newer electrical codes require one when a service is installed or replaced, though adoption varies by state; plug-in strips still help at sensitive equipment.Also called: surge protective device, SPD.See also: Electrical panel, Service upgrade, Bonding.
Window frame Windows and doors: The fixed outer assembly, made of the head at the top, jambs at the sides and sill at the bottom, that holds the sashes and attaches to the wall. Common frame materials are vinyl, wood, clad wood, fiberglass and aluminum, each with different upkeep and insulating value.See also: Jamb, Sill, Sash.
Window well Windows and doors: A curved liner of metal, plastic or masonry set in the ground outside a basement window that holds back soil and lets light and an escape route reach the window. It needs a gravel bottom or drain so it does not fill with water, and any cover must open easily from inside.Also called: areaway.See also: Egress window, French drain.
Wire gauge Electrical: Number for a wire's thickness under the American Wire Gauge (AWG) system, where smaller numbers mean thicker wire. House circuits commonly use 14-gauge wire on 15-amp breakers and 12-gauge on 20-amp breakers; a larger breaker on smaller wire is a fire hazard.Also called: AWG, wire size.See also: Circuit breaker, Nonmetallic sheathed cable.
Wood rot Siding and exterior: Decay caused by fungi feeding on wood that stays damp, leaving it soft, crumbly or cracked into small cubes. Fixing it means cutting out the rotten wood and stopping the water; filling or painting over rot without finding why it got wet lets it come back.Also called: dry rot, decay.See also: Exterior trim, Kickout flashing, Moisture meter.
Wood siding Siding and exterior: Exterior wall cladding made from solid wood, such as cedar or pine, in boards, clapboards or shingles. It looks traditional and can be repaired piece by piece but needs regular painting or staining, and boards are best primed or sealed on all sides before installation.Also called: clapboard, lap siding, cedar shingles.See also: Wood rot, Exterior trim.
Workers' compensation insurance Contracts and payment: Insurance that pays medical bills and lost wages for a contractor's employees hurt on the job. If an uninsured worker is injured at your home, you could face a claim against your homeowner's policy or a lawsuit. Requirements vary by state, and owners with no employees are often exempt.Also called: workers' comp, workers comp.See also: General liability insurance, Certificate of insurance, Subcontractor.
Workmanship warranty Contracts and payment: The contractor's own promise to fix problems caused by how the work was done, such as leaks, cracks or loose fixtures, for a stated period. Get its length and coverage in writing; it is only as good as the contractor's staying in business.Also called: labor warranty, installation warranty.See also: Manufacturer warranty, Storm chaser.

Z

Zoning Permits and codes: Local rules on how land in each area may be used and what can be built there: allowed uses, building height, lot coverage, setbacks, accessory units and more. Zoning is separate from the building code, and in many places a different office enforces it.Also called: zoning ordinance, land use rules.See also: Setback, Variance, Building code.

Written for Pricewright in plain language. A guide, not legal or engineering advice; your local code and your contract govern.