Qualified An individual or firm with a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing; or who by extensive knowledge, training and experience, has successfully demonstrated his/her abilities to identify and solve or resolve problems associated with a specific subject matter or project type.

Record Drawings (see As-Built Drawings)

Release of Lien A written action properly executed by and individual or firm supplying labor, materials or professional services on a project which releases his mechanic's lien against the project property. (see Mechanic's Lien)

Reimbursable Expenses (or Costs) Amounts expended for or on account of the project which, in accordance with the terms of the appropriate agreement, are to be reimbursed by the owner.

Resident Architect An architect permanently assigned at a job site who supervises the construction work for the purpose of protecting the owner's interests during construction.

Resident Engineer (inspector) An individual permanently assigned at a job site for the purpose of representing the owner's interests during the construction phase. (see Owner's Inspector)

R.F.I. (1) An abbreviation for Request for Information. (2) A written request from a contractor to the owner or architect for clarification or information about the contract documents following contract award.

Roll Out A loose term used to describe the rapid succession (completion) of similar  projects over a given time period.

Safety Report The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 clearly states the common goal of safe and healthful working conditions. A Safety Report is prepared following a regularly scheduled project safety inspection of the specific project.

Schedule A plan for performing work or achieving an objective.

Schedule of Values A statement furnished by the contractor to the architect or engineer reflecting the portions of the contract sum allotted for the various parts of the work and used as the basis for reviewing the contractor's applications for progress payments. *455

Schematic A preliminary sketch or diagram representing the proposed intent of the designer.

Schematic Design Phase The first phase of the architect's basic services in which the architect consults with the owner to ascertain the requirements of the project and prepares schematic design studies consisting of drawings and other documents showing the scale and project components for the owner’s approval.

Scheme (1) A chart, a diagram, or an outline of a system being proposed (2) An orderly combination of related construction systems and components for a specific project or purpose.

Scope of Work A written range of view or action; outlook; hence, room for the exercise of faculties or function; capacity for achievement; all in connection with a designated project. (See Performance Specifications)

Slack Time The flexibility with non-critical jobs that allows their start dates to be adjusted without affecting the project completion date.

Site The place where a structure or group of structures was, or is to be located (a construction site).

Soft Costs Soft Costs are cost items in addition to the direct Construction Cost. Soft Costs generally include architectural and engineering, legal, permits and fees, financing fees, construction Interest and operating expenses, leasing and real estate commissions, advertising and promotion, and supervision. (see Construction Cost)

Specifications A detailed, exact statement of particulars, especially statements prescribing materials and methods; and quality of work for a specific project. The most common arrangement for specifications substantially parallels the CSI (Construction Specification Institute) format. (see CSI)

Special Conditions A section of the conditions of the contract, other than the General Conditions and Supplementary Conditions, which may be prepared for a particular project. Specific clauses setting forth conditions or requirements

peculiar to the project under consideration, and covering work or materials involved in the proposal and estimate, but not satisfactorily covered by the General Conditions. (See General Conditions)

Standard Details A drawing or illustration sufficiently complete and detailed for use on other projects with minimum or no changes.

Standard Dimension A measurement unique to a specific manufactured item.

Standards of  Professional Practice A listing of minimum acceptable ethical principals and practices adopted by qualified and recognized professional organizations to guide their members in the conduct of specific professional practice.

Start Date The date that an activity or project begins.

Statement A copy or summary of any account covering a stated period. (See Invoice)

Statute of Limitations The period of time in which legal action must be brought for an alleged damage or injury. The period commences with the discovery of the alleged damage or injury; or in construction industry cases with completion of the work or services performed. Legal advise should be obtained.

Stipulated Sum Agreement A written agreement in which a specific amount is set forth as the total payment for completing the contract. (See Lump Sum Contract)

Structural Design A term used to represent the proportioning of structural members  to carry loads in a building structure.

Structural Systems (frames) The load bearing assembly of beams and columns on a foundation. The beams and columns are generally fabricated off site and assembled on site. Other systems such as non load bearing walls, floors, ceilings and roofs are generally constructed within and on the structural system.

Structure (1) Something constructed (2) A building put together based on specific plans and specifications.

Sub An abbreviation for Subcontractor.

Subcontract A written form of agreement between the prime or main contractor and another contractor or supplier for the satisfactory performance of services or delivery or material as set forth in the plans and specifications for a specific project.

Subcontractor A qualified subordinate contractor to the prime or main contractor.

Subcontractor Bond A written document from a subcontractor given to the prime or main contractor by the subcontractor guaranteeing performance of  his/her contract and payment of all labor, materials, equipment and

service bills associated with the subcontract agreement.

Sublet To subcontract all or a portion of a contracted amount.

Substantial Completion (see Date of Substantial Completion)

Substitution A proposed replacement or alternate offered in lieu of and represented as being equivalent to a specified material or process.

Substructure The supporting part of a structure; the foundation.

Sub-subcontractor An individual or firm having a written contract with a subcontractor to perform a portion of the work.

Sub-surface Investigation (1) A term used to represent an examination of soil conditions below the ground. (2) Investigations include soil borings and geotechnical laboratory tests for structural design purposes.

Successor (1) One that succeeds another (2) A scheduled activity whose start depends on the completion of one or more predecessors.

Superstructure The part of a building or other structure above the foundation.

Supervision (1)The act, process, or function of supervising construction materials, methods and processes for a specific project (2) Hands on field direction of the contracted work by a qualified individual of the contractor.

Supplemental Conditions (See Supplementary Conditions)

Supplementary Conditions A written section of the contract documents supplementing and qualifying or modifying the contracts general conditions. (See Conditions of the Contract)

Supplier An individual or firm who supplies and/or fabricates materials or equipment for a specific portion of a construction project but does not perform any labor on the project. ( see Vendor)

Surety (see Bonding Company)