Core terms

Slab

Core terms · definition

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.

Source: InterNACHI — Inspection Glossary: Slab

Where this comes up

  • Concrete

    A mix of cement, aggregate, and water that cures into a hard structural material used for footings, slabs, and foundations. Curing time a…

  • Foundation

    The structure (slab, crawl space, or basement) that transfers the building's load to the ground. Foundation condition underlies the feasi…

  • Slab-on-Grade

    A foundation where the concrete floor slab is poured directly on prepared ground with thickened edges. Common in warm climates; relocatin…

  • Stop-Work Order

    An official order halting construction, usually for working without a permit or a code/safety violation. Work cannot resume until the iss…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Setback

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

  • Subcontractor

    A specialized trade (electrician, plumber, tile setter) hired by the general contractor to perform a portion of the work. You contract wi…

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 →