Remodeling, in plain English.

The lingo.

Allowance

A dollar amount in the contract set aside for items you have not picked yet, such as tile or fixtures. Pick above the allowance and you pay the difference.

Backsplash and countertop

Quartz is engineered stone, low maintenance; granite is natural and sealed; butcher block and laminate are the budget options. Templates are made after cabinets are set.

Change order

A written amendment to the contract for work added or removed after signing. Every change should have one, with a price, before the work is done.

Contingency

Money set aside, usually 10 to 20 percent, for what the walls hide. Older houses always hide something.

Draw schedule

When payments are due, tied to milestones. A deposit, progress payments and a final payment after a punch list is normal; a large payment up front is not.

Drywall finish level

Levels 0 to 5 describe how smooth the taping and mudding is. Level 4 is the usual paint-ready finish; Level 5 is a skim coat for glossy paint or harsh light.

Egress

A code-required way out of a room in an emergency. Finished basements and bedrooms need an egress window or door.

Lien waiver

A signed statement from the contractor or a supplier that they have been paid and give up the right to a lien on your house. Ask for them with each payment on a big project.

Load-bearing wall

A wall that carries the weight of the floor or roof above. Removing one needs a beam sized by an engineer and a permit.

Permit

The municipality's approval to build, with inspections along the way. Structural, electrical, plumbing and most additions need one; the homeowner is on the hook for unpermitted work when the house sells.

Punch list

The list of small items to finish or fix at the end of a project, walked with the contractor before final payment.

Rough-in

The plumbing, electrical and HVAC installed inside open walls before drywall. Inspected before it is covered.

Scope of work

The written list of exactly what is included. Vague scopes are where disputes come from; read it before the price.

Soft-close

Cabinet hinges and drawer slides that catch and close gently. Standard on mid-range cabinets now.

Subcontractor

A specialist hired by your general contractor: electrician, plumber, tile setter. The general is responsible for them and for pulling them together.

From the Pros.

Written by the people who do this work every day, in your area.

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