Glossary of Home Remodeling Terms I-Z

Glossary of Remodeling Terms

Lien - A legal instrument that contractors can use to attach a claim to a homeowner's property in the event that the contractor does work but does not get paid.

Lien Release - Upon completion and payment of remodeling work, the homeowner should get a signed document to verify that work was paid for and that the contractor releases any right to file a lien against the property. This signed document is known as a lien release or lien waiver.

Linear Feet - A measurement of 12 inches in a direct line. For example, if a kitchen counter is six feet long in a straight line is it six linear feet in length.

Load-Bearing Walls - Some walls support and hold up the weight of the home and therefore hold up joists, other walls, the roof, or similar heavy structures. These are load-bearing walls.

Permits - Legal documents that authorize construction or remodeling work to be done. There are issued by governing bodies such as city governments before work commences and usually involve paying a fee for the permit.

Prep Work - Preparation for doing a job is referred to as prep work, and this typically applies to painting because before paint is applied the surface to be painted has to be prepped by doing things such as sanding, caulking, taping, or patching.

Punch List - A list of tasks to be done.

Restoration - When a remodel is done in such a way that the original structure is preserved or revived, it is called restoration.

Setbacks - Boundary spaces required by law between structures are referred to as setbacks.

Subcontractor - A contractor hired or "subbed-out" by a General Contractor to do part of the remodeling work.

Worker's Comp - Worker's Compensation Insurance or "workman's comp" is insurance that pays for injuries that happen during the course of one's professional work. This type of insurance protects contractors but it also helps to insulate the homeowner from liability if a worker is hurt on the homeowner's premises.