A Simple Guide to Architectural Terms: Understanding the Language of Your Project

A brief guide to help you understand our language: Architectural terms explained, including key construction terms for your building project.

Brief – Your wish list

Client – That’s you

Consultant – A person you hire for expert advice, such as a structural engineer or surveyor. We can advise you on appointing consultants from our trusted team. They are also referred to as Specialist Consultants.

Contingency Sum – Money included in or set aside from the contract to cover unforeseen costs when the price is calculated.We highly recommend contingency sums and can help you determine an appropriate amount, usually calculated as a percentage.

Design Contingency Sum – Your project budget includes a sum to cover costs for matters that are unknown or unresolved when the budget is established. Your design contingency will typically be proportionally high early in the design stages and reduces as the design develops. We highly recommend design contingency sums and can help you establish an amount, typically calculated as a percentage.

Contract Documents – All of the documents, which form the written building contract, including the agreement between you (the owner) and the builder, any special conditions, the drawings and specifications, and any other relevant documents. We love assisting our clients in bringing the building contract documents together.

Contract Price – How much you will be paying the builder, including the GST.

Contractor – The builder, sometimes called the main contractor.

Cost of Building Works – The actual net cost of your building works excluding any amounts for GST.

Estimate – A judgement of the likely costs of your project. This will assist you with during the design and documentation of your project.

Owner – Again, that’s you (the client)

Prime Cost Sum – An amount of money included in the building contract for an ‘off the shelf item’. This includes items like a basin or tap, which we haven’t decided when you sign the building contract.

Project Budget – An amount decided by yourself which includes the total available funds for your project. This including building costs, provisional sums, escalation, contingency sums, architect’s fees, consultant’s fees, GST, loose furniture, equipment, relocation costs, approval costs and any other cost, allowance or item defined by you.

Provisional Sum – A sum included in the contract for known work with undefined details.. These are common in renovations and complex projects.

Subcontractor – A firm or person (under contract to the builder) who performs work or who supplies and/or installs an item forming part of the works in the building contract. Typically the builder is responsible for the selection, engagement, supervision, performance and payment of all subcontractors in accordance with the building contract. Subcontractors do not include any firms or persons directly engaged and paid by the owner for work outside the contract. These are separate contracts.

Variation – A change in the scope of works in the building contract. This includes things that you change your mind about on site.

Work – The activities, labour or processes involved in construction of your project.

Works – The completed construction as set out in the building contract documents. Generally, people view works as the product of the work carried out under the contract.

If you’d like to discuss your project, please contact us for an obligation free consultation.