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Construction glossary

What is Equity?

Equity in the construction industry refers to the financial investment made by the stakeholders in a construction project. It's essentially the difference between the overall project cost and the amount borrowed to finance it. The capital is often fund supplied by owners, investors, or shareholders. These entities get a return on their investment either through project profits, or an increase in the value of the project, thus, equity provides them with ownership rights. Interestingly, a high equity stake in projects usually indicates low leverage and low financial risk. The construction industry relies heavily on equity, particularly during large-scale projects as these require substantial financial backing. Consequently, a contractor with a higher level of equity is often regarded as more stable and trustworthy.

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Other construction terms

Lump Sum Billing

What is Lump Sum Billing?

Lump Sum Billing in the construction industry refers to a fixed contract price for the completion of all work required for a specific project. This means that the contractor agrees to complete the whole project at a specific set cost irrespective of the amount of resources and time spent on the project. The contractor bears all the risk and is responsible for any cost overruns. Lump sum billing is commonly used in construction due to its simplicity, as the entire project is billed one time for one set amount.

Bid Prices

What are Bid Prices?

Bid prices in the construction industry refer to the amount a contractor proposes to charge for a particular project or service tendered by a client or project owner. These prices are usually determined after the contractor carefully assesses the project's scope, requirements, and the associated material, equipment, labor expenses, and overheads. The bid prices are essentially the predicted cost of the project plus the profit margin of the contractor. The client or project owner usually picks the contractor with the most comprehensive and competitively priced bid, assuming all other important factors like experience and capability are deemed satisfactory. It's noteworthy that bid prices can be subject to negotiation, and post-bid changes could occur following project change orders or unexpected construction conditions.

Backup

What is a Backup?

A backup in the construction industry is a way to safeguard data and ensure business continuity in the case of unexpected events, such as computer system crashes or accidental file deletion. It involves creating duplicates of data stored in software applications, databases, and digital files, which are typically saved on external devices or cloud storage systems. Hence, in case the originals are lost or corrupted, the backed-up data can be restored with minimal disturbance or downtime. For example, if the blueprint data of a construction project is accidentally wiped out, a well-executed backup system can restore the vital information, preventing project delays. It's integral to Plan Risk Management to counter data loss events, which in the construction sector can cripple project management systems, delay timelines, escalate costs, and affect architectural integrity if not addressed promptly and effectively.

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