----Material,
equipment, or method proposed by the contractor and approved
by the architect for incorporation in or use in the work as
equivalent in essential attributes to the material, equipment,
or method specified in the contract document.
Architect----A designation reserved, usually by law,
for a person or organization professionally qualified and
duly licensed to perform architectural services.
Building Codes----Regulations, ordinances or statutory
requirements of a government unit relating to building construction
and occupancy, generally adopted and administered for the
protection of public health, safety, and welfare.
Change Order-----An amendment to the construction
contract signed by the owner, architect, and contractor that
authorizes a change in the work or an adjustment in the contract
sum or the contract time or both.
Construction Budget-----The sum established by the
owner as available for construction of the project, including
contingencies for bidding to contractors and for changes during
construction.
Construction Documents----Drawings and specifications
created by an architect that set forth in detail requirements
for the construction of the project.
Cost Analysis----The architect calculates expected
future operating, maintenance, and replacement costs of desired
designs and features to assist homeowners in developing a
realistic design and budget estimate.
Design/Build----A method of project delivery in which
the owner contracts directly with a single entity that is
responsible for both design and construction services for
a construction project.
Design Development----The architect prepares more
detailed drawings and finalizes the design plans, showing
correct sizes and shapes for rooms. Also included is an outline
of the construction specifications, listing the major materials
to be used.
Programming----The architect and homeowner first discuss
the goals, needs, and function of the project design expectations
and available budget and pertinent building code and zoning
regulations. The architect prepares a written statement setting
forth design objectives, constraints, and criteria for a project,
including special requirements, and system and site requirements.
Project Budget----The sum established by the owner
as available for the entire project, including the construction
budget, land costs, costs of furniture, furnishings, and equipment
financing costs, compensation for professional services, cost
of owner-furnished goods and services, contingency allowance,
and similar established or estimated costs.
Schematic Design Phase----The architect consults with
the owner to determine the requirements of the project and
prepares schematic studies consisting of drawings and other
documents illustrating the scale and relationships of the
project components for approval by the owner. The architect
also submits to the owner a preliminary estimate of the construction
cost based on current area, volume, or other unit costs.
Specifications----A part of the construction documents
contained in the project manual consisting of written requirements
for materials, equipment, construction systems, standards,
and workmanship.
Square Footage----Can be calculated as both gross
and net square footage. No uniform standard for computing
residential square footage yet exists. Architects, builders,
and realtors each measure square footage differently. Square
footage is not always an indication of the livable space available
in a structure. Owners are encouraged to ask for an explanation
of which spaces were included in the square footage calculation.
