Features

Editor & AI TakeoffsOpen plans, review pending detections, correct, and export BOQ GenerationReview all-page totals, then export CSV or quote lines Item CountingAccept, dismiss, and correct plan-linked AI counts Quotes & ProposalsEdit reviewed quantities, prices, terms, and customer response Document & Quote StatusReview document totals, project context, and quote states Plan Intake & AI JobsOpen PDF or image plans, store them, and run AI jobs AI Detection ReviewAccept, dismiss, or correct suggestions on the plan Quote WorkflowSearch quotes and follow supported customer response states

Solutions

General ContractorsReview counts, lengths, and areas by trade scope ElectriciansReview device counts and measured runs on the plan PlumbersReview fixture counts and pipe runs against plan evidence RoofersReview calibrated areas, edge runs, and repeated items HVACReview equipment counts and measured routes ConcreteReview slab areas, runs, and repeated items Structural SteelReview member counts and framing lengths DrywallReview wall and ceiling geometry before export or pricing PaintingReview finish areas, measured runs, and repeated items FlooringReview finish areas and boundary runs on the plan Fire ProtectionReview device counts and measured runs by label SubcontractorsDefine trade scope with plan-linked quantities Owner-OperatorsReview counts and calibrated measurements

Pricing Contact

Log in Start 14-day trial

Menu

Features

Editor & AI Takeoffs BOQ Generation Item Counting Quotes & Proposals Document & Quote Status Plan Intake & AI Jobs AI Detection Review Quote Workflow

Solutions

General Contractors Electricians Plumbers Roofers HVAC Concrete Structural Steel Drywall Painting Flooring Fire Protection Subcontractors Owner-Operators Pricing Contact Start 14-day trial

Loading BuildVision AI

Plan-linked AI takeoffs with estimator review, complete-document totals, and editable customer quotes.

support@buildvisionai.com (440) 558-00891309 Coffeen Avenue, Suite 1200, Sheridan, WY 82801, United States

Features

Editor & AI Takeoffs
BOQ Generation
Item Counting
Quotes & Proposals
Document & Quote Status
Plan Intake & AI Jobs
AI Detection Review
Quote Workflow

Company

About Us
Contact
Blog
Pricing

Templates

Scope of Work
Change Order
Construction Proposal
Construction Bid
All Templates →

Solutions

General Contractors
Electricians
Plumbers
Roofers
Subcontractors
Owner-Operators

By Trade

Roofing
Electrical
Plumbing
HVAC
Concrete
Flooring
Painting
All Trades →

Resources

Documentation
Construction Calculators
Free Construction Tools
Best Estimating Software
Plan Viewer
AI Construction

Compare

vs Procore
vs Bluebeam
vs BuilderTrend
vs CoConstruct
vs ServiceTitan
vs Jobber

New to BuildVision AI? Read the docs.Step-by-step guides for plan review, takeoffs, costing, quotes, and access.Browse docs →

Privacy Policy Terms of Service Refund Policy Security GDPR

© 2026 Build Vision LLC · Sheridan, WY, USA. All rights reserved.

Construction estimating glossary

Construction Estimating Glossary

Terms every contractor and estimator should know. Definitions for takeoff, bidding, BOQ, and contract concepts that show up on commercial construction projects.

Browse 38 terms Try BuildVision AI

Jump to a letter

A B C E F G H L M O P Q R S T U W

This glossary covers the language of construction estimating: takeoffs, bills of quantities, bidding methods, contract types, payment instruments, and the cost concepts that drive every priced bid. Use it as a reference when reading specifications, pricing change orders, or onboarding a new estimator. Every term is cross-linked so you can follow the terminology from a high-level concept like a lump sum contract down to the unit prices, assemblies, and waste factors that build it up.

The glossary is maintained by the team at BuildVision AI for construction takeoffs, BOQ generation, and quote and bid creation. If you spot a term that should be added, reach out and we will expand the glossary.

A

AddendumA formal written modification to the bid documents issued during the bidding period that becomes part of the contract.
AllowanceA dollar figure carried in the contract for a scope that has not yet been finalized, with a true-up at the time of selection.
Alternate BidA separate add or deduct price submitted alongside the base bid that gives the owner the option to include or exclude defined scope.
AssemblyA pre-built grouping of materials, labor, and equipment for a complete installed unit, used to speed up estimating.

B

Bid BondA surety bond submitted with a bid that guarantees the contractor will sign the contract at the bid price if awarded.
Bill of QuantitiesA formal, itemized document listing the quantities of every scope of work in a construction project, used as the basis for pricing and contract.
BOQAbbreviation for bill of quantities — the itemized list of scope quantities and unit rates used to price and administer a construction contract.

C

Change OrderA written modification to the original construction contract that changes the scope, schedule, or price.
ContingencyA reserve amount included in an estimate to cover unknown risks and unforeseen costs that arise during construction.
Cost PlusA pricing structure where the owner reimburses the contractor for actual costs plus an agreed fee, with no fixed total price.
CSI MasterFormatThe standard 50-division coding system used to organize construction specifications, estimates, and bills of quantities in North America.

E

EscalationA budget allowance for the increase in material and labor costs between the date of the estimate and the date the work is performed.

F

Fixed PriceA pricing structure with a guaranteed total amount the owner will pay for the defined scope, regardless of actual contractor costs.

G

General ConditionsThe project-specific overhead costs that the contractor incurs to manage and execute the project but that are not tied to a specific work activity.

H

Hard CostsThe direct costs of physical construction — material, labor, equipment, subcontractors, and contractor markup.

L

Labor BurdenThe total cost of an employee beyond base wages — taxes, insurance, benefits, and other employer costs — expressed as a percentage of wages.
Lien WaiverA signed document in which the contractor or supplier waives the right to file a mechanics lien for the amount paid.
Lump SumA fixed total price for a defined scope of work, with the contractor absorbing the risk of cost overruns within that scope.

M

Material TakeoffA list of every physical material required to build a project, with quantities and units used to price purchase orders and subcontractor scopes.

O

Overhead and ProfitThe markup added to direct costs to cover the contractor’s home-office overhead and profit margin — the contractor’s fee.

P

Payment ApplicationThe monthly invoice document the contractor submits to the owner requesting a progress payment for completed work.
Performance BondA surety bond that guarantees the contractor will complete the contracted work according to the terms of the contract.
Plug NumberA placeholder cost figure inserted in an estimate when actual pricing is not yet available, intended to be replaced before bid submission.
Prevailing WageThe minimum hourly wage and fringe benefit rate that contractors must pay workers on certain government-funded construction projects.
Progress PaymentA periodic payment from the owner to the contractor for work completed during a billing period, based on the schedule of values.

Q

Quantity TakeoffA detailed list of every measurable quantity required to build a project, organized by scope and used to drive the cost estimate.

R

RetainageA percentage of each progress payment the owner withholds from the contractor as security until project completion.
RFI (Request for Information)A formal written question from the contractor to the design team during construction asking for clarification of the documents.
RFP (Request for Proposal)A formal solicitation from an owner asking contractors to submit qualifications, approach, and price for a construction project.
RFQ (Request for Qualifications / Quote)A formal request from the owner asking contractors to submit qualifications (or pricing) for a project or scope.
RS MeansThe widely used construction cost database that publishes unit prices for thousands of construction work items, updated annually.

S

Schedule of ValuesA breakdown of the contract sum into line items that defines how progress payments will be calculated.
Soft CostsProject costs that are not tied directly to physical construction — design fees, permits, financing, legal, insurance, and other indirects.

T

TakeoffThe process of measuring and counting items from construction drawings to determine the materials and labor needed for a project.
Time and MaterialsA billing structure where the contractor is paid hourly labor billing rates plus material cost with markup, with no fixed total.

U

UniFormatA classification system that organizes construction information by building element rather than by work result.
Unit PriceThe price per unit of work — for example per cubic yard or per linear foot — that an estimator quotes for a single scope item.

W

Waste FactorA percentage added to the net measured material quantity to account for cut-off, breakage, and installation waste.

From definition to drawing

Put the Terms to Work on a Real Plan Set

Use AI-assisted takeoffs to identify likely quantities, then review every result against the drawings before building the BOQ or bid.

Start 14-day trial