Construction Glossary

The bank guarantee a contractor submits against a mobilization advance, protecting the client until the advance is recovered from running bills. Well-drafted contracts step the ABG value down as recovery progresses so guarantee charges do not run on money already repaid.

A detailed document listing all reinforcement bars required for a structure. It includes bar marks, diameter, shape, cutting length, number of bars, and total weight for each structural element.

A document prepared by the quantity surveyor that lists all materials, labor, and equipment required for a construction project along with their quantities and rates. Forms the basis for tender pricing and cost control.

The central legislation governing construction workers' welfare, funded by a cess of 1% of construction cost on projects above the threshold. Registration and cess payment are compliance prerequisites checked in audits and, increasingly, in RERA filings.

A document prepared at the end of each working day summarizing work executed, manpower deployed, materials consumed, equipment used, weather conditions, and any issues faced. Essential for project monitoring.

The period after completion — typically 12 months in Indian contracts — during which the contractor must rectify defects at their own cost. Retention money or the security deposit is normally released only after the DLP ends without unresolved defects.

CPWD's published schedule of rates for civil works, the de facto national benchmark for government estimates and rate justification. The current civil edition is DSR 2023, applied with cost indices for time and location. Many states publish their own SORs on the same pattern.

A formal request or approval for extending the project completion deadline due to valid reasons such as design changes, unforeseen conditions, or force majeure events. Must be documented properly for contractual claims.

The refundable deposit submitted with a tender bid as proof of seriousness, usually 1-2% of the estimated contract value. Returned to unsuccessful bidders after award; for the winner it is typically adjusted into or replaced by the security deposit.

A document created when materials are received at site. It records details of the delivery including quantity received, condition of materials, supplier/transporter details, and links to the original purchase order.

The drawing status stamp indicating a drawing is approved for execution at site — as against tender, preliminary, or for-approval issues. Indian practice says GFC where US/UK practice says IFC (Issued For Construction). Quantities for execution-stage BOQs are measured from GFC drawings, and every GFC revision should trigger a quantity re-check.

A formal request raised by the site team for materials required at site. It is sent to the procurement department or head office for approval and subsequent purchase. Specifies material, quantity, and required date.

The record of measurements taken jointly by the contractor's and client's engineers at site, signed by both parties. The same document is commonly called a JMS (Joint Measurement Sheet). Signed JMRs are the evidence base for RA bills and the first thing checked in a billing dispute.

The sheet on which joint measurements are recorded at site, column by column: item description, location or grid, length, breadth, depth, and computed quantity. Interchangeable in practice with JMR — the record both parties sign before quantities enter a bill.

A hierarchical breakdown of a construction project by physical location. Used to organize work and track progress by area (e.g., Building A > Floor 1 > Flat 101). Works alongside WBS for complete project organization.

Pre-agreed damages payable by the contractor to the client for delay in project completion beyond the stipulated deadline. Usually calculated as a percentage of contract value per day/week of delay.

The bidder quoting the lowest evaluated price in a tender, identified in the comparative statement after technical qualification. Government procurement generally awards to L1; L2 and L3 denote the next-ranked bids. An abnormally low L1 usually triggers rate scrutiny rather than automatic award.

A system for collecting, processing, and presenting project data to management for decision-making. Includes dashboards, reports, and analytics covering cost, schedule, quality, and safety metrics.

A comprehensive monthly report summarizing project progress against planned targets. Includes physical progress, financial status, resource utilization, issues, and forecast for the coming month.

The numbered, bound book in which executed work is measured and recorded — the primary billing record on government and PWD contracts, with page numbering and correction rules defined by department codes. Digital measurement records increasingly mirror MB discipline on private work.

A document raised when work or materials do not meet specified quality standards. Records the deviation, root cause analysis, corrective actions taken, and verification of closure.

A work item not covered by the applicable schedule of rates, priced instead through a rate analysis of materials, labour, machinery, overheads, and profit. Also called extra items or non-tender (NT) items when they arise after award; their pricing is a frequent source of contractual disputes.

A formal order placed with a vendor for supply of materials or services. Contains vendor details, material specifications, quantities, rates, delivery schedule, payment terms, and other commercial conditions.

A professional organization hired by the project owner to manage and oversee the construction project. Responsible for coordination, quality assurance, progress monitoring, and certifying payments.

Labour engaged and paid per unit of completed work — per square metre of shuttering, per tonne of steel tied, per cubic metre of concrete — rather than daily wages. PRW bills are prepared from measured quantities, so measurement records matter as much for labour payment as for client billing.

Interim bills submitted by the contractor at regular intervals (typically monthly) for work completed till date. Reviewed by the consultant/PMC and forms the basis for progressive payments to the contractor.

A formal request submitted to the consultant or quality team to inspect and approve completed work before proceeding to the next activity. Documents location, work item, and checklist points for inspection.

A document sent to vendors requesting their price quotation for specific materials or services. Includes specifications, quantities, delivery requirements, and commercial terms for comparison.

Concrete batched at a plant and delivered to site in transit mixers, ordered by grade and slump against pour schedules. RMC reconciliation compares ordered versus poured quantities pour by pour — a 2-3% variance is normal; more usually means measurement or wastage issues.

A list of minor defects, incomplete items, or issues identified during pre-handover inspection. Must be rectified by the contractor before final handover and release of retention money.

The amount held by the client as performance security — commonly 5-10% of contract value, built up through deductions from RA bills or submitted as a bank guarantee. Released after the defect liability period, it is one of the largest recoverables on a contractor's balance sheet.

A published schedule of standard rates for construction items, issued by a government department or state PWD. Estimates and BOQs on government work price items against the applicable SOR; items not covered are analyzed separately as non-schedule items.

A type of reinforcement steel bar manufactured through a controlled process of hot rolling followed by rapid cooling. TMT bars have a tough outer core and soft inner core, providing high strength and ductility.

A formal document issued when there are changes to the original scope of work. Can include additions, deletions, or modifications to the contract. Must be approved before execution for payment eligibility.

A hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work into manageable activities. Organizes work by trades or systems (e.g., Civil > Substructure > Excavation). Essential for planning, scheduling, and cost control.