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Construction : Jargon buster

More in this section

  1. Overview
  2. Job roles
  3. Entry and progression
  4. Typical employers
  5. Opportunities abroad
  6. Future trends
  7. Jargon buster

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Case studies

  • APC - Assessment of Professional Competence. A period of structured, practical training, ending with a final assessment to assess a chartered surveyor’s competence to practise.
  • Building process - a term used to express every step of a construction project from its conception to final acceptance and occupancy.
  • Consultant - those who plan, design and supervise projects on behalf of the client.
  • Construction documents - a term used to represent all drawings, specifications and other pertinent construction information associated with the construction of a specific project.
  • Contract administration - the contractual duties and responsibilities of the architect and engineer during the construction phase of a specific project.
  • Contractor - those who undertake the construction process and complete the project.
  • Design and Build (D&B) - a process in which a single contractor is responsible for both the design and construction of a building project. 
  • Infrastructure - a term usually associated with contracts relating to transport, power and utilities projects.
  • PFI/PPP - Public Finance Initiatives/Public Private Partnerships - the trend towards major projects that are part-funded by public and private investors.
  • Procurement - the whole process of acquiring goods, works and services from third party providers at the right price.
  • R & M - repair and maintenance of properties and infrastructure.
  • Specifications or specs - written to supplement working drawings; a narrative list of materials, methods, model numbers, colours, allowances and other details.
  • Subcontract - a written form of agreement between the prime or main contractor and another contractor or supplier.
  • Subcontractor - a general or speciality contractor who works for another general contractor.
  • Sustainability - taking steps towards minimising the negative impact of projects on the environment, e.g. through the use of renewable materials and energies.
 
 
 
AGCAS
Written by Barbara Graham, AGCAS
Date: 
August 2011
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