Glossary

Construction & Development

39 terms in this category

Architect

Specialist in designing buildings considering aesthetics, function, and technical requirements, designs blueprints and supervises execution.

Blueprint

Detailed building drawings including dimensions and technical details, basis of construction process, approved by engineers and municipality before execution.

Building Code

Set of mandatory rules and specifications for building properties in Saudi Arabia, covering safety, health, energy efficiency, and structural.

Civil Engineer

Engineer specialized in constructing buildings, roads, and bridges, responsible for structural safety, supervises execution and selects materials.

Construction Cost

Total property construction costs including materials, labor, licenses, and management, fundamental factor in determining final property value.

Construction Project

Project to construct new property or renovate existing, phases: planning, design, execution, delivery, requiring professional management.

Contractor

Company or person executing construction project per specifications, with contract with owner specifying schedule, cost, and specifications.

Defects Liability Period

Period after handover during which contractor obligated to fix defects, usually one year, basis of construction quality guarantee and owner protection.

Design-Build

Contract model where one party handles design and execution, simplifying process and reducing disputes, common in large projects.

Electrical System

Electricity network in property from meters to outlets, must follow building code, malfunctions dangerous requiring licensed electrician.

Energy Efficiency

Designing property for lower energy consumption, including insulation and efficient lighting, reducing operating costs and raising property value.

Environmental Impact

Evaluating project effects on surrounding environment, mandatory for major projects, determining necessary measures to reduce damage.

Finishing

Final construction phase including paints, flooring, and accessories, determining final impression and market property value.

Fire Safety

Fire prevention systems and procedures in property, including alarms, extinguishers, and exits, mandatory per Civil Defense.

Foundation

Lower part of building connecting it to ground, foundation of building stability, must be designed to bear building weight and soil movement.

Green Building

Buildings designed to reduce resource consumption like energy and water, using natural materials, with accredited certifications like LEED.

Handover

Property handover from developer to buyer after construction completion, done by handover protocol proving compliance with agreed specifications.

HVAC

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, essential for property occupants comfort, forming large part of operating costs.

Interior Design

Designing and decorating interior property space, affecting comfort and aesthetics, good design raises rental and sale value.

Milestone

Important station in project indicating phase completion, used to track progress, sometimes linked to contractor payments.

Modular Construction

Building properties with pre-manufactured units assembled on site, faster and cheaper than traditional, used in rapid housing.

Off-Plan Sale

Selling real estate units before construction completion, regulated by Saudi Wafi program, offering buyer lower price and developer early financing.

Permit Fees

Costs of obtaining construction permits from municipality, varying by project type and area, included in total project costs.

Plumbing

Water and drainage piping system in property, needing good design and regular maintenance, malfunctions among most common property issues.

Post-Construction

Phase after construction completion including handover, maintenance, and defects warranty, basis of project sustainability and owner satisfaction.

Prefabricated Construction

Manufacturing building parts in factory then installing on site, reducing time and cost, common in warehouses and factories.

Project Management

Planning, executing, and monitoring construction projects to ensure completion within set time and budget, requiring organizational and technical skills.

Real Estate Developer

Company or person undertaking real estate project development from start to finish, investing capital and bearing risks for profits.

Real Estate Development

Comprehensive process of converting land to integrated real estate project, including planning, licensing, construction, and marketing, long-term investment.

Remodeling

Radical change in property design like demolishing walls or adding rooms, deeper than renovation, transforming property to new style.

Renovation

Rehabilitating existing property to improve or update, lower cost than new construction, raising property value and rental returns.

Safety Standards

Construction safety requirements like fire systems and emergency exits, mandatory per Saudi Building Code, protecting lives.

Schedule

Plan specifying project phases and duration of each, essential follow-up tool, any delay affects subsequent phases and cost.

Soil Test

Testing soil properties before construction to determine suitable foundation type, mandatory for large projects, prevents future issues.

Structural Design

Designing load-bearing elements in building like columns and foundations, ensuring building safety and load capacity.

Subcontractor

Specialist assigned by main contractor for part of work like electrical, plumbing, or painting, expert in specific field.

Sustainability

Building eco-friendly properties using materials and techniques reducing carbon footprint, global trend supporting Saudi Vision 2030.

Turnkey

Selling property fully ready for occupancy from developer with all finishes and furniture, buyer pays single price and receives key.

Warranty

Developer's commitment to fix any defects appearing in property within specified period after handover, mandatory in Wafi program.