Construction Glossary — Columbus Remodel Cost

A

Aggregate

The sand and gravel/stone that makes up most of concrete's volume, providing strength and bulk in the cement matrix.

A budgeted dollar figure placeholder in the contract for an item not yet selected (e.g., tile, fixtures). If your final selection costs more than the allowance, you pay the difference — scrutinize low allowances in bids.

Apprentice

A trade worker learning a craft through a structured program of paid on-the-job training and classroom instruction under journeymen, the standard path into the skilled trades.

See also: U.S. DOL — Apprenticeship.gov

Architect of Record

The licensed architect legally responsible for the design documents submitted for permit, certifying the design meets applicable codes and standards.

As-Built Drawings

Updated drawings that reflect the project exactly as constructed, including all field changes — invaluable for future remodels and locating concealed utilities.

B

Basement Foundation

A foundation with full-height usable space below grade. Offers expansion potential but adds waterproofing and egress requirements when finished.

Beam

A primary horizontal member that carries loads from joists or framing across a span to posts or walls. Opening up a floor plan usually means adding a sized beam.

Beam Pocket

The recess in a wall or foundation that receives and bears the end of a beam. Cutting in new beam pockets is part of the cost when opening a load-bearing wall.

See also: Wikipedia — Beam (Structure)

Bearing Capacity

How much load the soil can safely support. It sizes footings; weak soils require wider footings, piers, or ground improvement.

Bid

A contractor's formal price proposal for a defined scope of work. Always compare multiple bids on the same written scope so you are comparing like for like, not just bottom-line numbers.

Blocking / Bridging

Short pieces between joists or studs that stabilize members against twisting and distribute load. Often required at mid-span by code.

Bond

A surety bond is a guarantee from a third party that the contractor will complete the work (performance bond) or pay subs and suppliers (payment bond). Bonding is a sign of contractor financial stability.

Bowing Wall

A foundation wall pushed inward by soil or hydrostatic pressure. Severity dictates the fix — straps, anchors, bracing, or rebuild.

Building Code

The set of minimum legal standards for safe construction adopted by your jurisdiction (in Ohio, based on the International Residential Code). Work must meet code to pass inspection and protect resale.

C

Cantilever

A structural member extending beyond its support, loaded at the free end (e.g., a bumped-out floor or balcony). Backspan and connection are critical.

Carbon Fiber Strap

High-strength strips bonded to a bowing foundation wall to arrest further inward movement — a less invasive alternative to wall replacement for minor bowing.

Carpenter

A skilled tradesperson who constructs, installs, and repairs structures and fixtures from wood and other materials — framing, trim, cabinetry, and finish work.

Caulk

A flexible sealant used to close gaps and joints against air and water (around trim, tubs, counters). The right caulk for the location matters — kitchen/bath joints need a mildew-resistant silicone.

Cement Board

A rigid cement-based panel used as a stable, water-durable substrate for tile in wet areas — preferred over drywall behind tile in showers and on counters.

Certificate of Occupancy (CO)

A document issued by the building department certifying a structure complies with code and is safe to occupy. Often required after major remodels and before a property can be legally sold.

Change Order

A written, signed amendment that adds, removes, or modifies work after the contract is signed, adjusting price and schedule accordingly. Verbal changes are the leading cause of remodel disputes — get every change in writing.

CMU (Concrete Masonry Unit)

A concrete block used for foundation and structural walls, often grouted and reinforced with rebar at intervals.

Collar Tie / Rafter Tie

Horizontal members resisting rafter spread (rafter tie, low) or uplift (collar tie, high). Removing them to open a ceiling causes the roof to push walls out.

Compliance

Meeting all applicable codes, permit conditions, and regulations for the work performed. Documented compliance is what protects you at resale and with insurers.

See also: Merriam-Webster — Compliance

Concrete

A mix of cement, aggregate, and water that cures into a hard structural material used for footings, slabs, and foundations. Curing time affects schedule on any structural work.

Contingency Budget

A reserve (typically 10–15% of project cost) set aside for hidden conditions and surprises uncovered once work begins. The line clients most want to skip and most often need.

Contract

The legally binding agreement between owner and contractor that defines scope, price, schedule, and responsibilities. A remodel should never start on a handshake — the contract is your primary protection.

Contract Documents

The full set of papers that together form the agreement — the signed contract, drawings, specifications, scope of work, allowances, and any addenda. All of it governs the job, not just the signature page.

Control Joint

A tooled or cut groove that pre-determines where concrete will crack as it shrinks, keeping cracks straight and hidden rather than random.

Cost-Plus vs. Fixed-Price

Two contract structures: fixed-price (lump sum, contractor bears overrun risk) versus cost-plus (owner pays actual costs plus a fee, owner bears overrun risk). Each shifts risk and pricing transparency differently.

Crack Monitoring

Tracking a foundation crack's width over time (e.g., with a tell-tale gauge) to judge whether movement is active or stable before choosing a repair.

Crawl Space

A shallow accessible void below the floor (instead of a basement or slab) housing structure, plumbing, and ducts. Its condition affects access cost and moisture risk on remodels.

Crawl Space Encapsulation

Sealing a crawl space with a heavy vapor barrier (and often a dehumidifier) to control moisture, mold, and wood rot affecting the structure above.

Curing

Maintaining moisture and temperature while concrete gains strength. Concrete reaches most of its strength over ~28 days; rushing it weakens the pour.

D

Damp Proofing

An asphaltic coating that resists soil moisture (not liquid water pressure). The minimum builder treatment — less protective than true waterproofing.

Dead Load

The permanent weight of the structure itself — framing, finishes, roofing. The baseline load every member is sized for.

Debris Container / Dumpster

The roll-off container for construction waste. Placement, permits for street placement, and haul-away are real line items and logistics on any sizeable remodel.

Deflection

How much a beam or joist bends under load. Code limits it (e.g., L/360) so floors don't feel bouncy or crack finishes even when not at risk of failure.

Demolition

The controlled removal of existing finishes and structure to prepare for new work. A clean, properly contained demo is where most hidden conditions (rot, old wiring, mold) are first uncovered.

Design-Build

A delivery method where one entity handles both design and construction under a single contract, giving the owner one point of responsibility and tighter cost/design feedback.

Differential Settlement

Uneven sinking of parts of a foundation, the cause of most serious structural cracking, sticking doors, and sloping floors.

Draw Schedule

The agreed timeline of payments tied to completed project milestones rather than calendar dates. A fair draw schedule keeps payments slightly behind the work completed, never ahead of it.

Drawing Set

The coordinated package of plans — floor plans, elevations, sections, and details — that defines the design and governs construction and permitting.

Drywall

Gypsum panel wall and ceiling material (also called sheetrock) that is hung, taped, mudded, and finished. Any wall opened during a remodel needs drywall repair and finish.

Dust Containment

Temporary barriers, zip walls, and negative-air setups that keep demolition and sanding dust out of occupied areas. Standard practice for live-in remodels and required where lead is present.

E

Easement

A recorded legal right for someone else (often a utility) to use part of your land. Building over an easement can force removal at your expense — check the survey before adding structures.

Efflorescence

White mineral deposits left on masonry or concrete as water migrates through and evaporates. A sign of moisture movement to investigate, not just a stain.

Egress

A code-required path of exit from a space in an emergency. Bedrooms and finished basements require a compliant egress window or door of minimum size and reachable height.

Egress Window Well

An excavated, retained, and drained well allowing a code-compliant egress window below grade — required to make a basement bedroom legal.

Electrician

A licensed tradesperson who installs and maintains wiring, panels, circuits, and devices to code. Remodels that add circuits or move panels require a licensed electrician and inspection.

Elevation

A flat, straight-on drawing of one face of a structure or wall (e.g., a kitchen wall elevation) showing heights and vertical relationships that a plan view cannot.

Excavation

Earth removal for foundations, footings, or utilities. Regulated for cave-in safety and requires utility locating before digging.

Expansion Joint

A deliberate separation that lets adjacent concrete or structure move with temperature and load without cracking or buckling.

Expansive Soil

Clay-rich soil that swells when wet and shrinks when dry, cyclically stressing foundations. A leading cause of foundation cracking and movement.

Exterior Waterproofing

Excavating to the footing and applying a membrane/coating plus drainage to the outside of the foundation — the most thorough (and costly) basement fix.

F

Finish Schedule

A table in the drawings specifying the exact finish for every surface in every room — flooring, wall, ceiling, trim — so selections are documented, not assumed.

Flashing

Thin water-resistant material installed at joints and transitions (roof-to-wall, around windows and penetrations) to direct water away and prevent leaks into the assembly.

Flitch Beam

A composite beam of steel plate sandwiched between wood members, used where a slim but very strong beam is needed.

Floor Plan

A scaled overhead view of a level showing walls, rooms, openings, and fixture locations. The primary drawing for understanding layout and flow.

Footing

The widened concrete base below a foundation wall or post that spreads the structure's load over enough soil to prevent settling. New structural posts require their own footings.

Footing Drain / Drain Tile

Perforated pipe in gravel along the footing that collects groundwater and routes it away or to a sump, relieving pressure on the foundation.

Foreman

The lead worker who directs a specific crew or trade on site, working alongside the team while ensuring the work meets plan and schedule.

Foundation

The structure (slab, crawl space, or basement) that transfers the building's load to the ground. Foundation condition underlies the feasibility and cost of major remodels.

Framing

The skeleton of wood or steel members — studs, joists, rafters, beams — that gives a structure its shape and carries its loads before finishes go on.

French Drain

A gravel-filled trench with perforated pipe that redirects surface and groundwater away from the structure.

Frost Heave

Upward soil movement when moisture freezes and expands, lifting shallow footings, slabs, and steps. Prevented by footing depth and drainage.

Frost Line / Frost Depth

The depth to which ground freezes locally. Footings must bear below it (in central Ohio ~32 in.) so frost heave can't lift the structure.

Furring

Thin strips fastened to a wall or ceiling to create a level, plumb nailing surface or an air gap before finish material is applied — common over masonry or uneven framing.

G

General Contractor (GC)

The party responsible for the overall project — scheduling, hiring and managing subcontractors, pulling permits, and delivering the finished job. Your single point of accountability.

Girder

A large primary beam that carries other beams or joists. The main load-collecting member, often mid-span under a floor down to columns.

Glulam

Glued-laminated timber — a structural beam of bonded dimensional lumber, often used where the beam is exposed for appearance.

Grade Beam

A reinforced concrete beam at or below grade that spans between piers or footings to distribute structural loads.

Grading

Shaping the ground around a structure so water drains away from the foundation. Poor grading is a leading cause of basement and crawl-space water problems.

Grout

The material that fills and seals joints between tiles. Sanded, unsanded, and epoxy grouts differ in durability and stain resistance — epoxy is the premium choice in wet, high-use areas.

H

Hard Costs

The tangible construction costs — labor, materials, equipment — as opposed to soft costs like design fees, permits, and financing. Hard costs are the bulk of a remodel budget.

Hazard

A condition or activity with potential to cause harm — electrical, structural, dust, fall, or material (lead, asbestos). Identifying hazards before demo drives containment and cost.

Helical Pier

A screw-in steel pile driven to stable soil to underpin or support a foundation. A common engineered fix for settlement without large excavation.

Hydrostatic Pressure

Water-table pressure pushing against foundation walls and slabs — the driving force behind most basement leaks and wall bowing.

I

I-Joist

An engineered floor joist with a tall web and flanges (I-shaped) that spans far with little deflection. Web holes must follow the manufacturer's chart.

Inspection

A code official's review of work at defined stages (rough-in, framing, final) to verify compliance before the next phase can proceed. Failed inspections stop the job until corrected.

Insulation

Material that resists heat flow, rated by R-value, installed in walls, ceilings, and floors. Opened walls are the opportunity to upgrade insulation while it is accessible.

Interior Drain System

A perforated channel installed inside the footing under the basement slab, feeding a sump — the common retrofit for chronic basement water.

J

Joist

One of the repetitive horizontal members that support a floor or ceiling, spanning between beams or walls. Joist size, spacing, and direction govern what you can cut or load.

Joist Hanger

A metal bracket that supports a joist or beam end at a flush connection. Correct hanger and the specified nails/screws are load-critical.

K

Knee Wall

A short wall, typically under a sloped roof or supporting a counter or railing, that is less than full ceiling height.

L

Lally Column

A steel pipe column (often concrete-filled) supporting a girder in a basement. Adjustable types are temporary only; permanent columns must be fixed and footed.

Lien

A legal claim against your property for unpaid work or materials. A mechanic's lien filed by an unpaid subcontractor can cloud your title even if you already paid the general contractor.

Lien Waiver

A signed document in which a contractor or supplier gives up the right to file a lien for a given payment. Collect lien waivers with each payment to protect against double-payment claims.

Liquidated Damages

A pre-agreed dollar amount the contractor owes the owner for each day a project runs past the contracted completion date. Must be a reasonable estimate of actual loss, not a penalty.

Live Load

Transient loads — occupants, furniture, snow — that a structure must carry. Code sets minimums by room use (e.g., higher for decks and assembly).

Load Path

The continuous route loads follow from roof to footing. Any remodel that interrupts the path (removing a wall/post) needs an engineered replacement path.

Load-Bearing Wall

A wall that carries weight from the structure above down to the foundation. Removing or opening one requires an engineered beam and posts — never assume a wall is non-bearing.

LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber)

A strong engineered beam of glued wood veneers used for headers and beams where solid lumber can't span. Common when opening up a floor plan.

M

Moment Frame

A rigid steel or engineered frame that resists lateral load without bracing — used to keep a wide opening (e.g., a removed wall or garage front) stable.

Mortar

A cement-based paste used to bond masonry or, as thinset, to adhere tile to a substrate. Different mixes are rated for different applications and exposures.

O

OSB

Oriented strand board — an engineered panel of compressed wood strands and resin, commonly used for sheathing and subfloor. Cheaper than plywood but less moisture-tolerant.

OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration — the federal agency setting and enforcing job-site safety standards. A contractor's safety record is a meaningful screening signal.

P

Parging

A thin cement coat troweled over a foundation or block wall for a finished, more weather-resistant surface.

Partition

A non-load-bearing interior wall that divides space but carries no structural load above it. Generally simpler and cheaper to move than a bearing wall.

Permit

Official jurisdiction authorization to perform regulated work, triggering required inspections. Unpermitted remodels can force teardown, block sale, and void insurance — always confirm permits are pulled.

Pier & Beam

A foundation of spaced piers carrying beams under the floor, leaving a crawl space. Easier utility access and floor leveling but more prone to movement than slab.

Pier Foundation

Isolated columns transferring structural loads to deeper, stable soil or rock. Used for decks, additions, and on poor surface soils.

Plumber

A licensed tradesperson who installs and repairs water supply, drain-waste-vent, and gas piping to code. Relocating fixtures or running new lines is licensed, inspected work.

Plywood

An engineered panel of thin wood veneers glued in cross-grain layers for strength and stability. Preferred over OSB for cabinet boxes and where moisture exposure is a concern.

Point Load

A concentrated load delivered at one spot (e.g., a post or beam end) that must be carried continuously down to a footing — a key check when adding beams.

Post & Beam

A structural system of vertical posts carrying horizontal beams, concentrating loads at points (and their footings) rather than along walls.

Post-Tensioned Slab

A slab with tensioned steel cables that resist cracking on expansive soils. Cables must never be cut — a critical caution before any slab penetration.

Primer

A preparatory coating that seals the surface and helps the finish coat adhere and cover evenly. Skipping primer over new drywall or stains causes finish failures.

Project Manager (PM)

The person who plans, coordinates, and oversees the project day to day — schedule, budget, subs, and communication with the owner. On smaller jobs the GC and PM may be the same person.

PSI (Concrete Strength)

The compressive strength concrete is mixed to (e.g., 3,000–4,000 psi for residential). Specified per application; higher for structural and exterior work.

PSL / LSL

Parallel-strand and laminated-strand lumber — engineered members for high-load columns and beams, stronger and more uniform than sawn lumber.

Punch List

The final list of incomplete or deficient items the contractor must correct before the job is considered done and final payment is released. Walk the project and build this list together.

Push Pier

Hydraulically driven steel pier sections that transfer foundation load to deep load-bearing strata to halt or lift settlement.

R

Radon Mitigation

A sub-slab depressurization system venting soil gas (radon) outside. Often integrated with slab/crawl work; radon is a recognized health hazard.

Rafter

A sloped structural member running ridge to wall that supports the roof deck in stick-framed (non-truss) roofs.

Rebar

Steel reinforcing bar embedded in concrete to carry tensile loads concrete cannot. Size, spacing, and cover are engineered, not arbitrary.

Retainage

A percentage of each payment (often 5–10%) the owner withholds until the project is satisfactorily completed, providing leverage to ensure the job is finished and punch-listed.

RFI (Request for Information)

A formal written question from the builder to the designer or owner to clarify drawings or specs before proceeding. RFIs create a paper trail that prevents costly assumptions.

Ridge Beam vs. Ridge Board

A ridge beam structurally carries rafter loads (required for vaulted/cathedral ceilings); a ridge board is only a non-structural nailing point. Confusing them is a serious error.

Rim Joist / Band Joist

The joist running around the perimeter of a floor frame, closing the joist ends and transferring loads. A key air-sealing and structural element.

Rough Opening

The framed gap left in a wall to receive a window, door, or unit, sized slightly larger than the product to allow shimming and squaring during installation.

Rough-In

The stage where plumbing, electrical, and HVAC lines are run inside open walls and floors before insulation and drywall. Rough-in must pass inspection before walls are closed.

See also: Fieldwire by Hilti — Rough-In

S

Scaffold

A temporary elevated work platform system. Proper scaffolding is a regulated safety item on multi-story exterior and high-ceiling interior work.

Scope of Work

The detailed written description of exactly what the contractor will and will not do on the project. The single most important document for preventing misunderstandings and 'I thought that was included' arguments.

Sealant

A material applied to a surface or joint to block the passage of water, air, or stains. Stone counters, grout, and exterior penetrations are commonly sealed.

Section (Drawing)

A drawing showing the structure as if sliced vertically, revealing how floors, walls, and roof assemble and stack — used to communicate construction detail.

Setback

The minimum required distance between a structure and the property line, street, or other features. Setbacks constrain where additions, decks, and detached structures can be placed.

Shear Wall

A braced/sheathed wall that resists lateral wind and seismic forces. Removing or opening one without an engineered replacement compromises the structure.

Sheathing

The structural panel layer (plywood or OSB) attached to studs or rafters that braces the frame and provides a base for siding, roofing, or finishes.

Shoring

Temporary supports that carry structural load while a permanent member is replaced or repaired (e.g., during beam or wall work).

Sill Plate

The pressure-treated board bolted to the top of the foundation that the framing sits on, anchored against uplift and sliding. Rot or termite damage here is structural.

Sistering

Fastening a new joist/rafter alongside a damaged or undersized one to restore or add capacity. A common, code-acceptable structural repair when done properly.

See also: Wikipedia — Joist (Sistering)

Slab

A poured concrete floor or foundation surface. Moving plumbing in a slab-on-grade home means saw-cutting and patching concrete — a significant cost driver.

Slab Jacking / Mudjacking

Pumping grout or polyurethane beneath a sunken slab to lift and re-level it — common for driveways, walks, and garage floors.

Slab-on-Grade

A foundation where the concrete floor slab is poured directly on prepared ground with thickened edges. Common in warm climates; relocating plumbing means saw-cutting concrete.

Soil Report / Geotechnical

An engineer's investigation of soil conditions guiding foundation design. Required for additions on questionable soils or significant structural changes.

Spalling

Concrete or masonry surface flaking off, often from freeze-thaw or corroding embedded rebar. Progressive and a structural concern if reinforcement is exposed.

Span

The clear distance a member bridges between supports. Span tables (or an engineer) set the size and spacing required for a given load.

Stamped / Sealed Drawings

Structural drawings signed and sealed by a licensed engineer, certifying the design. Required by permit for beam sizing, wall removal, and additions.

Steel Stud

Cold-formed metal framing used for non-combustible or tall walls. Light and straight but requires different fasteners and load detailing than wood.

Stop-Work Order

An official order halting construction, usually for working without a permit or a code/safety violation. Work cannot resume until the issue is resolved and the order is lifted.

Structural Engineer

A licensed engineer who designs and certifies load-bearing changes. The required professional for removing bearing walls, adding floors, or repairing foundations.

Stud

A vertical framing member in a wall (typically 2x4 or 2x6) spaced 16 or 24 inches on center, forming the structure to which sheathing and drywall attach.

Subcontractor

A specialized trade (electrician, plumber, tile setter) hired by the general contractor to perform a portion of the work. You contract with the GC, not the subs.

Subfloor

The structural sheet material (plywood or OSB) fastened over floor joists that everything else — underlayment and finish flooring — is built on. Squeaks and unevenness usually start here.

Submittal

Product data, samples, or shop drawings the contractor submits for approval before ordering or installing, confirming what will actually be used matches the specification.

Sump Pump

A pump in a basin that ejects collected groundwater away from the foundation. A battery or water backup is recommended for outage protection.

Superintendent

The on-site supervisor who runs the field operation — directing crews, sequencing trades, and enforcing safety and quality at the job site.

T

Takeoff

The process of measuring quantities of materials and labor from the drawings to build an estimate. Accurate takeoffs are the foundation of an accurate bid.

Tributary Area

The floor/roof area whose load a given beam or column carries. It determines member size and why removing a wall concentrates load.

Truss

A pre-engineered triangulated frame (roof or floor) that spans long distances efficiently. Truss webs cannot be cut or altered without an engineer.

Tuckpointing

Removing deteriorated mortar from masonry joints and refilling them. Essential maintenance that preserves a brick or block wall's structural integrity.

U

Underpinning

Strengthening or extending a foundation deeper to stabilize a settling structure or support added load. A major engineered structural repair.

V

Value Engineering

Reviewing the design to find lower-cost ways to achieve the same function and quality — substituting materials or methods to bring a project back within budget without gutting its goals.

Vapor Barrier

A material that limits moisture diffusion through an assembly to control condensation. Correct placement is climate-dependent — wrong-side vapor barriers trap moisture and cause rot.

Variance

Official permission to deviate from a zoning requirement (e.g., to build closer to a property line than the setback allows). Requires application and usually a hearing.

Veneer

A thin layer of a finish material bonded to a cheaper substrate — wood veneer on cabinet panels, stone or brick veneer on walls — delivering the look without the solid-material cost.

VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)

Gases emitted by some paints, finishes, and adhesives that affect indoor air quality. Low- and zero-VOC products are widely available and recommended for occupied remodels.

W

Wall Anchor / Tieback

A system anchoring a bowing basement wall to a plate set in stable soil in the yard, allowing gradual straightening.

Z

Zoning

Local laws governing how land may be used and what can be built where, including size, height, and setback limits. Additions and footprint changes often require zoning review.