Core terms

Scope of Work

Core terms · definition

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.

Source: InterNACHI — Inspection Glossary: Scope of Work

Where this comes up

  • Contract

    The legally binding agreement between owner and contractor that defines scope, price, schedule, and responsibilities. A remodel should ne…

  • Sealant

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

  • Scaffold

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

  • Section (Drawing)

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

  • Rough-In

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

  • Setback

    The minimum required distance between a structure and the property line, street, or other features. Setbacks constrain where additions, d…

  • 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 d…

  • Sheathing

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

Where this term fits in a remodel

The pillar guides set terms like this one in context — what the work involves, what drives its cost, and where it sits in the sequence of a project. Pricing a specific house takes a defined scope and an on-site assessment.

Remodeling guides → Contact the publisher →