Construction glossary
Construction terms, explained for Indian sites.
What DPR, RA bill, BOQ, GRN, muster roll and 23 other site and contract terms mean, with simple examples and links to free formats.
A
B
- Bar bending schedule(BBS)A bar bending schedule (BBS) lists every reinforcement bar in a member with its diameter, shape, cutting length, number and weight.Read more
- BOQ(Bill of Quantities)A BOQ lists every item of work in a project with its description, unit, quantity and rate, and is the basis for tendering, budgets and billing.Read more
- Budget vs actualBudget vs actual compares what each part of a project was planned to cost with what has actually been spent and committed, to catch overruns early.Read more
C
- Committed costCommitted cost is money you have agreed to spend through approved orders and work orders but have not yet been billed for or paid.Read more
- Cost codeA cost code is a short label that tags every cost to a part of the work, such as excavation or plastering, so spending can be tracked against budget.Read more
- CuringCuring is keeping fresh concrete or plaster moist and at a suitable temperature for a period after placing, so it gains its full strength.Read more
D
- Defects liability period(DLP)The defects liability period (DLP) is the time after completion during which the contractor must fix defects at its own cost, as set in the contract.Read more
- DPR(Daily Progress Report)A DPR is the daily report a site files on work done, labour, material, equipment and problems, so the office knows what happened on site that day.Read more
G
M
- M-sand(Manufactured sand)M-sand is manufactured sand made by crushing hard rock and grading it, used in place of river sand in concrete and plaster.Read more
- Material reconciliationMaterial reconciliation compares material received and used against what the work done should have consumed, to find wastage or loss.Read more
- Material requisition(Indent / material request)A material requisition, or indent, is the site’s formal request to the office or store for material it needs, with quantity and required date.Read more
- Measurement book(MB)A measurement book (MB) is the bound record where measurements of work done are written and checked; it is the basis for paying contractor bills.Read more
- Mobilisation advanceA mobilisation advance is money the client pays a contractor at the start to set up site, recovered later from running bills as the contract says.Read more
- Muster rollA muster roll is the attendance register of workers on a site, listing each worker by name with daily presence, used to calculate wages.Read more
N
P
- Petty contractor(Labour contractor / piece-rate contractor)A petty or labour contractor supplies workers or a small labour-only team to a main contractor, paid by the day or by measured quantity of work.Read more
- Purchase order(PO)A purchase order is the approved document a contractor sends a supplier, fixing the material, quantity, rate, delivery and payment terms.Read more
R
- RA bill(Running Account bill)An RA bill is an interim bill a contractor raises during the work for the quantity done so far, before the final bill is settled at the end.Read more
- Retention moneyRetention money is the part of each bill the client holds back as security for proper completion and defects, released later as the contract says.Read more
- RFI(Request for Information)An RFI is a formal question from site to the designer or client when a drawing or specification is unclear, missing or conflicting.Read more
S
- Shuttering(Formwork / centering)Shuttering, or formwork, is the temporary mould of plywood, steel or timber that holds wet concrete in shape until it can support itself.Read more
- Snag list(Punch list)A snag list is a list of small defects and unfinished items found during inspection near completion, to be fixed before handover.Read more
T
V
W
- Wage sheet(Wage register / payroll sheet)A wage sheet lists what each site worker earned for a period: days worked, wage rate, overtime, advances and deductions, and the net amount paid.Read more
- Work orderA work order is the written instruction and agreement that gives a subcontractor a defined scope of work at agreed rates, quantities and terms.Read more
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