I’m not a contractor but as a commercial building chief operating engineer deal with them on a daily basis. This is only a fraction of the language each of these contractors use every day. As a future real estate investing hopeful, I would be more than happy to help anyone who uses or needs a contractor or even offer my services as a project manager. I have a bigger pockets pro account and I have over 15 years experience in the field.

“Proper vents” in the attic. I used to think it referred to properly venting the attic, but it’s actually an insulation product that allows ventilation from the soffit vent to the ridge vent.

Good read Kevin, if one is new to the rehab game or working with contractors, it can be confusing and intimidating. Contractors pick up quickly if there customers are novices. I have always said that buying a home is fairly easy, selling a home is fairly easy too. The hard part is the renovation. The rehab is where the profit or cash flow is lost and most certainly where the most frustration can occur. In our business, since the profit can be lost or gained in the rehab, we all want work done cheap with quality. My first few years in the business, I could not find both. But after years in the business, I finally gave up finding a contractor who can do this and assumed that role myself. It took years though to find guys to work hard though and do a good job. But as I learned more about the business, I learned how expensive it is to be a contractor and carry the property Workers Comp insurance and General Liability and licenses, not to mention regulation by the EPA. About 25% of the total job could go to insurance and overhead depending on what is done. Most contractors want to put a 20% margin on their work after cost, which is reasonable. So keep that in mind when you ask for a quote and it seems high. But for those who need to hire a contractor, here are some other lingo and phrases used by Contractors! BTW — my comments are not knocks on Contractors–but you do get what you pay for. I have hired a great contractor for my personal residence to do numerous upgrades over the past couple of years–but he is not cheap, but totally worth it! Unfortunately he would be way to expensive to hire for a rental or flip project! Roof flashings are the items installed around the pipe penetration coming through the roof. Contractors will call them “pipe boots” or “roof jacks.” Also, if there is a leak, some will want to apply caulk, sealant or other mastics to make the repair on a cracked rain collar. Don’t let them do this–these items seal from the bottom, not the top. Although not used or approved in the 2 markets I operate within (Little Rock and Memphis), some houses are vented through the use of Air Admittance Valves (AAV’s) instead of venting through the roof. In addition to homes, AAV’s are seen in mobile homes–contractors love to call these things “Cheater Vents.” Contractors will refer to joining PVC and CPVC pipe as “gluing it together” or “pipe glue.” They are not gluing anything together, they are joining through Solvent Pipe Cement which makes a solvent weld. Cleanout’s. Most homes should have them, it provides access to the DWV (Drain, Waste and Vent) system. If they replace the cleanout cap, some contractors will refer the cap as a “Test Cap” or “T-Cone.” Use a “45”, “Y” or “T”. These are all pipe fittings whose shape resembles the name. Change Order — a excuse they will use because they were off on there estimate or missed something in their initial evaluation. Avoid these at all cost! “We are going to be out of here by Friday” — Add 3 days on to that. “I did not make anything on this” — No different then when the car lot says they are selling you a vehicle at cost. That is there problem, not yours. “I will meet you at the property at ____” — Add 30 minutes on to that! “I need a material draw before I can do any other work” — There credit is to crummy to go anywhere and buy anything. “The item is on backorder.” — They forgot to order it “This is as about as good as I can make it.” — They don’t know how to do it. “This is fine for a rental property.” — A excuse to accept my poor workmanship. “I can get started on _____” Add a week to that. “We will do what we can.” — You will be disappointed soon. Lastly, if one contractor follows behind the work of another contractor, they will criticize there work and tell you how they would have done it better. Normally when you hear contractors talk about dope, it is plausible to think they are talking about something else. But dope is something they will put on pipe threads to make a seal in between the threads. Kevin — sorry for the long follow up and I am not trying to hijack your blog. I just felt I had some comments that the BP community would find helpful!

Hvac a ton of cooling is 12,000 btu (British thermal unit)

You could add “rough ins” depending on the level of rehab you are doing. This describes the rough phase of plumbing, electric, and HVAC. These are done (and typically inspected) prior to closing the walls up. It also a pretty prominent item on any draw schedule-another popular term.

You could add “rough ins” depending on the level of rehab you are doing. This describes the rough phase of plumbing, electric, and HVAC. These are done (and typically inspected) prior to closing the walls up. It also a pretty prominent item on any draw schedule-another popular term.

Kevin, That stuff is helpful…I didn’t know the 500 SF per ton for the HVAC. Keep the info coming! Adam

I’m having trouble logging in from my mobile, but wanted to add… Don’t forget about the landscaping! Most bulk landscape materials (mulch, gravel, even concrete) are ordered by the cubic yard. A good rule of thumb is a 1/4 yard equals one full wheelbarrow. And if your contractor doesn’t keep a neat and orderly job site, expect to lose about a yard all over the street!

Thank you Kevin for the informative article and thanks to every one who had interesting bits to add. I love these!

This is very simple. The explanation is a Homeowner see’s one thing and a contractor sees it in his vision. Unless the Homeowner explains in depth just what they want, (diagram it) the contractor will build it as it is normally done. The Homeowner and Contractor must work closely together in understanding every detail.