Construction Dictionary
Contracts & Agreements Terms
Learn common construction contract terms, agreement forms, general conditions, modifications, and pricing language used across the built environment.
Popular Terms
Browse All Terms
62 terms in contracts & agreements.
| Term | Short name | Plain-English definition |
|---|---|---|
| A | ||
| A101 Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor | Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor | A101 is an AIA owner-contractor agreement form often used when the contract sum is a stipulated amount. |
| A102 Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor | Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor | A102 is an AIA owner-contractor agreement form used when payment is based on the cost of the work plus a fee with a guaranteed maximum price. |
| A103 Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor | Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor | A103 is an AIA owner-contractor agreement form used for cost of the work plus a fee without a guaranteed maximum price. |
| A104 Abbreviated Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor | Abbreviated Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor | A104 is an abbreviated AIA owner-contractor agreement form for projects that need a shorter agreement structure. |
| A105 Short Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor | Short Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor | A105 is a short AIA owner-contractor agreement form for smaller or less complex work. |
| A132 Owner-Contractor Agreement, Construction Manager as Adviser Edition | Owner-Contractor Agreement, Construction Manager as Adviser Edition | A132 is an AIA owner-contractor agreement form used with a construction manager as adviser project structure. |
| A133 Owner-Construction Manager Agreement | Owner-Construction Manager Agreement | A133 is an AIA agreement form used for certain owner and construction manager at risk arrangements. |
| A134 Owner-Construction Manager Agreement | Owner-Construction Manager Agreement | A134 is an AIA owner-construction manager agreement form for certain CMAR projects using cost of the work plus a fee without a guaranteed maximum price. |
| A141 Agreement Between Owner and Design-Builder | Agreement Between Owner and Design-Builder | A141 is an AIA agreement form for design-build projects where one design-builder contracts with the owner for both design and construction responsibilities. |
| A145 Design-Build Amendment | Design-Build Amendment | A145 is an AIA design-build amendment form used to document commercial terms after design-build scope and pricing are developed. |
| A195 Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor for Integrated Project Delivery | Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor for Integrated Project Delivery | A195 is an AIA agreement form associated with integrated project delivery. |
| A201 General Conditions of the Contract for Construction | General Conditions of the Contract for Construction | A201 is an AIA general conditions document that defines many baseline rights, responsibilities, and procedures for construction contracts. |
| Addendum | - | An addendum is a formal document issued during bidding to modify or clarify procurement documents. |
| Additional Services | - | Additional services are services beyond the baseline scope included in the agreement. |
| AIA Contract Documents | - | AIA Contract Documents are standard contract forms and administrative documents commonly used in design and construction. |
| Arbitration | - | Arbitration is a private dispute resolution process where an arbitrator issues a binding or contract-defined decision. |
| B | ||
| B101 Owner-Architect Agreement | Owner-Architect Agreement | B101 is an AIA agreement form for owner and architect services. |
| B102 Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect | Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect | B102 is an AIA owner-architect agreement form used when the owner and architect define the architect's scope separately. |
| B103 Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect for a Complex Project | Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect for a Complex Project | B103 is an AIA owner-architect agreement form intended for more complex projects. |
| B104 Abbreviated Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect | Abbreviated Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect | B104 is an abbreviated AIA owner-architect agreement form. |
| B105 Short Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect | Short Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect | B105 is a short AIA owner-architect agreement form for smaller or less complex projects. |
| B132 Owner-Architect Agreement, Construction Manager as Adviser Edition | Owner-Architect Agreement, Construction Manager as Adviser Edition | B132 is an AIA owner-architect agreement form used with a construction manager as adviser project structure. |
| B133 Owner-Architect Agreement, Construction Manager as Constructor Edition | Owner-Architect Agreement, Construction Manager as Constructor Edition | B133 is an AIA owner-architect agreement form used with certain construction manager as constructor or CMAR arrangements. |
| B143 Architect-Consultant Agreement | Architect-Consultant Agreement | B143 is an AIA agreement form used between an architect and consultant. |
| Basic Services | - | Basic services are the core architectural or professional services included in an agreement. |
| C | ||
| C401 Architect-Consultant Agreement | Architect-Consultant Agreement | C401 is an AIA agreement form used between an architect and consultant. |
| C402 Consultant Agreement | Consultant Agreement | C402 is an AIA consultant agreement form for defined consulting services. |
| Change Order | - | A change order is a signed contract modification that changes scope, cost, time, or other contract terms. |
| Claim | - | A claim is a formal request or assertion seeking an adjustment, interpretation, payment, time, or other relief under the contract. |
| CO Change Order | Change Order | A CO is a formal contract modification that changes scope, price, schedule, or other contract terms. |
| COI Certificate of Insurance | Certificate of Insurance | A COI is a document that summarizes a party's insurance coverage for a project or contract. |
| Contract Administration | - | Contract administration is the process of managing contract requirements, communications, payments, changes, and closeout during construction. |
| Contract Documents | - | Contract documents are the written and graphic documents that define the parties' construction obligations. |
| Contract Sum | - | The contract sum is the agreed amount payable for the work under the contract, as adjusted by approved changes. |
| Contract Time | - | Contract time is the period allowed to achieve required completion milestones under the contract. |
| Cost Plus Contract | - | A cost plus contract reimburses allowable project costs plus an agreed fee or markup. |
| D | ||
| Default | - | Default is a failure to meet a contractual obligation. |
| Dispute | - | A dispute is a disagreement between project parties about contract requirements, payment, time, quality, scope, or responsibility. |
| E | ||
| Easement | - | An easement is a legal right to use part of a property for a specific purpose. |
| G | ||
| G701 Change Order | Change Order | G701 is an AIA form used to document an approved change order. |
| G715 Supplemental Attachment for ACORD Certificate of Insurance | Supplemental Attachment for ACORD Certificate of Insurance | G715 is an AIA form used as a supplemental attachment related to insurance certificate information. |
| General Conditions | - | General conditions are contract provisions that define baseline rights, responsibilities, procedures, and relationships for the project. |
| I | ||
| Initial Decision Maker | - | An initial decision maker is the party or person designated to make an initial decision on certain claims or disputes. |
| Instruments of Service | - | Instruments of service are documents, drawings, models, specifications, and other work products prepared by design professionals for a project. |
| L | ||
| Liquidated Damages | - | Liquidated damages are a contractually stated amount owed for certain delays or failures to meet agreed requirements. |
| M | ||
| Mechanic's Lien | - | A mechanic's lien is a legal claim against property for unpaid labor, materials, or construction services. |
| Mediation | - | Mediation is a dispute resolution process where a neutral mediator helps parties try to reach a voluntary settlement. |
| Modification | - | A modification is a written change to the contract documents after the contract is executed. |
| N | ||
| Notice to Cure | - | A notice to cure is a formal notice requiring a party to fix a default, deficiency, or failure to perform. |
| O | ||
| Owner-Architect Agreement | - | An owner-architect agreement is the contract between the owner and architect for professional design and administration services. |
| Owner-Contractor Agreement | - | An owner-contractor agreement is the prime contract between the owner and the contractor for construction work. |
| P | ||
| Payment Bond | - | A payment bond is a surety bond that helps protect subcontractors and suppliers if they are not paid. |
| Performance Bond | - | A performance bond is a surety bond that helps protect the owner if the contractor fails to perform the work. |
| Prime Contract | - | A prime contract is the main contract between the owner and the contractor or construction manager. |
| S | ||
| Scope of Work | - | A scope of work describes the work a party is responsible to perform. |
| Single-Point Responsibility | - | Single-point responsibility means one contracting entity is responsible for both design and construction obligations. |
| Stipulated Sum | - | A stipulated sum is a fixed contract price for a defined scope of work. |
| Supplementary Conditions | - | Supplementary conditions modify or add to the general conditions for a specific project. |
| Surety | - | A surety is a company that backs a bond and may be responsible if the bonded contractor fails to meet obligations. |
| T | ||
| Termination for Cause | - | Termination for cause ends a contract because a party failed to meet material obligations. |
| Termination for Convenience | - | Termination for convenience allows a party, often the owner, to end a contract without contractor default. |
| The Work | - | The work means the construction and services required by the contract documents. |