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The construction world has its own language—filled with acronyms, industry-specific slang, and technical terms. If you’ve ever found yourself confused while discussing plans with your contractor or hearing unfamiliar words on a job site, you’re not alone.

At Joyner Construction, we believe clear communication is essential. To help our clients feel confident and informed, we’ve compiled a list of common construction terminology you’re likely to encounter during your project. Whether you’re building a custom home or renovating a kitchen, this glossary will give you a solid foundation.

AWA – Additional Work Authorization

Our first term for common construction terminology is AWA. Often called a “change order” in other companies, an AWA is our formal document that records any changes made to the original contract after it’s been signed. It details scope adjustments, added or removed work, cost changes, and payment terms. Both the contractor and client sign the AWA, and once approved, it becomes part of the binding contract.

PPRBD – Pikes Peak Regional Building Department

Some construction terminology specific to Colorado is PPRBD. This is the local building authority for Colorado Springs. PPRBD issues building permits, performs inspections, and enforces code compliance. Joyner Construction is licensed with the PPRBD and adheres to all its regulations for every project we take on in the region.

Stud

A stud is the vertical wooden framing member inside your walls. Common types include:

• 2×4 (1.5” x 3.5” actual size)
• 2×6 (1.5” x 5.5” actual size)

The term “2×4” is nominal, meaning the lumber was originally cut to 2 inches by 4 inches before being planed for consistency. Studs form the backbone of your walls, supporting drywall, insulation, and more.

Wallboard Terms: Drywall, Sheetrock, Cement Board & More

You might hear a variety of names for the panels used to cover interior walls in construction terminology:

• Drywall / Sheetrock / Gypsum Board / Gyp Board – Made of gypsum and finished with paper; standard for most walls.
• Cement Board / Durock / Hardie Backer / Green Board – Moisture-resistant options used in bathrooms, kitchens, and wet areas.

Each has a specific purpose, but all serve as the surface layer over your wall’s framing.

Drain Tile (French Drain)

A drain tile system is installed around a structure’s foundation to redirect water away from the building. This helps prevent flooding and water damage. Water is typically funneled to street drains, retention ponds, or other designated runoff areas.

Rough-Ins

One word in our construction terminology that covers multitple items is “rough-in.” A rough-in refers to components installed behind walls before insulation or drywall goes up. These include:

• Plumbing valves
• Electrical boxes
• Ductwork

For instance, the valve behind your shower handle or the blue box where a light fixture will go are both rough-in elements.

Rocker vs. Toggle Switch

Light switches typically come in two styles:

• Toggle Switch – The traditional flip-up/down style, popular from the 1950s through the 1990s.
• Rocker (Decora) Switch – A more modern, flat design with a larger surface that rocks back and forth.

Both styles function the same way, but rockers are now the preferred standard in most new homes.

Studor Vent

A Studor vent is a one-way air admittance valve used in plumbing systems. It:

• Allows air in when water drains
• Prevents sewer gas from entering the home
• Eliminates the need for a roof vent in some cases

This vent is especially useful in tight spaces or remodels where new vent stacks are difficult to install.

Recessed Lighting Terms: Can Light, Puck Light, Wafer Light & More

Beyond construction terminology is lighting lingo can be confusing. Here’s a breakdown of commonly interchanged terms:

• Can Light / Recessed Light / Downlight – Traditional style with a metal can housing installed before drywall.
• Wafer Light – Modern, thin LED lights installed after drywall, ideal for retrofit projects.
• Puck Light – Small, surface-mounted lights often used under cabinets.

While technically different, these are all often referred to as recessed lighting and come in standard sizes like 4” or 6”.

Final Thoughts on Construction Terminology

This list offers just a small sample of construction terminology you might hear during your project. Understanding these terms can make the entire process smoother, more transparent, and even enjoyable.

At Joyner Construction, we always welcome questions. If you ever hear a term you’re unfamiliar with, don’t hesitate to ask. We’re here to help you understand every step—so you feel empowered and informed throughout your construction journey.

Need More Clarity?

Let us know if there’s a term you’re curious about that we didn’t cover. We’re happy to expand our common construction terminology list as part of our commitment to making construction more approachable for everyone.

Hiring a general contractor can feel overwhelming, but tackling a construction project without one can be even more stressful. While there is a cost involved in hiring a contractor, this expense covers the crucial responsibility of handling the day-to-day operations necessary to complete your project. With a general contractor in place, you can focus on the important aspects of your life while they ensure the construction runs smoothly.

Our general contractor and owner, Cliff Joyner, has been in the construction industry for most of his life (learn more on our About Us page). With hundreds of projects completed over the decades, he has seen it all. Let’s take a closer look at a typical day for Cliff to give you an inside look into the world of a general contractor.

A Busy Morning: Preparing for the Day Ahead

Many of the subcontractors on Cliff’s projects like to start their workdays early. For that reason, Cliff’s days often start around 7:00 AM. He checks his calendar to see which subcontractors are scheduled for which tasks. If the project site is accessible and the subcontractors have been cleared for early work, some may already be at the job site, which is perfectly fine. Cliff ensures the subcontractors are organized and aware of their responsibilities for the day.

If there are no scheduled meetings, Cliff heads to the office. But today, he has a meeting at 8:00 AM with the plumber at a worksite. He discusses the tasks that need to be completed. A plumbing inspection is scheduled for later that day, and the plumber needs to wrap up a few critical tasks. Unfortunately, a part required for the job hasn’t arrived yet—it’s still at the distributor’s warehouse downtown.

To keep the plumber on track, Cliff hops in his truck and heads to the warehouse to pick up the part. On the way, he calls his office manager to go over the day’s tasks and address any emails that have come in. They also discuss the schedule for the plumbing inspection. Cliff’s office manager confirms the inspection is the 12th of 18 scheduled for the day. With this information, Cliff also prepares for next week’s tasks while on the road.

Problem-Solving on the Go: Unforeseen Delays and Communication

By 9:00 AM, Cliff picks up the part from the warehouse. As he’s leaving, the tile subcontractor calls with a problem. One of the key trim pieces for the project has been backordered and won’t be available in time for installation. Cliff immediately contacts his office manager to check if other suppliers can meet the demand so that the project stays on schedule. His office manager takes the task on and begins looking for alternatives.

Cliff then heads back to the job site, delivers the part to the plumber, and gets the project back on track. As soon as that’s done, he returns to the office to check his emails and follow up on the tile trim situation.

Client Communications and Estimating: The Administrative Side of Being a General Contractor

At 10:00 AM, Cliff reviews a couple of new emails from potential clients. Both are interested in getting estimates for their projects. One of the homes is a more recent build (early 2000s), and Cliff finds a full set of blueprints online, which will make estimating much easier. The other home, built in the 1970s, has no blueprints available, which means Cliff will need to do more detailed drafting. He responds to both clients, updating them on the next steps.

By 11:00 AM, the office manager reports back with an update on the tile trim. The only supplier who can overnight the required pieces has quoted a price that’s three times higher than expected. Since the trim pieces are directly paid for by the clients, this extra cost needs their approval. After reviewing alternative options that are more affordable and easier to source, Cliff and his office manager prepare a proposal with two options to present to the clients.

Midday Break: Staying Productive on the Go

At noon, Cliff grabs a quick bite to eat while reviewing more client information. The clients with the 1970s home found some old rolled-up architectural plans in their basement and offer to let him come pick them up for the estimate. Cliff arranges to head over to their home that afternoon to collect these valuable documents.

However, just as he’s getting ready to head out, the plumbing inspection alert pops up on his phone, reminding him that the inspector is due on-site in 60 minutes. Cliff jumps into his truck and heads back to the job site.

The Afternoon: Managing Inspections and Client Needs

By 2:00 PM, the plumbing inspection is complete, and the inspector has passed all rough plumbing work. However, the inspector points out that the gas line to the house is not adequate for the specified hot water heater. Cliff, the inspector, and the plumber discuss possible solutions, including alternative water heater options and the need for a gas line upgrade.

Once the plumber provides cost estimates for these upgrades, Cliff will review how they will affect other elements of the project and then update the client. With this in mind, Cliff heads back to the clients’ home with the 1970s blueprints. After collecting the plans, he stops by an office supply store to get them digitized before delivering them back to the homeowners.

Wrapping Up the Day: The Final Touches

At 3:30 PM, Cliff finally sits down at his desk to catch up on emails and work on the new estimates. He also needs to review the gas line adjustments before contacting clients. With two sets of plans now on his desk and a number of new emails, Cliff dives into the remaining tasks for the day.

By the end of the day, Cliff has made sure all parts of the project are moving forward, from dealing with subcontractors to resolving client concerns. The next day’s tasks are also lined up and ready to go, and that’s Cliff’s day as a general contractor.

The Multifaceted Role of a General Contractor

This example may sound like a busy day, but it’s just one snapshot of a general contractor’s job. From managing subcontractors to handling unanticipated issues and maintaining clear communication with clients, a contractor coordinates every aspect of a project. No two days are ever the same, but with experience and dedication, general contractors like Cliff make sure everything runs smoothly.

At Joyner Construction, we understand that every project is unique, and we treat each one with the care and attention it deserves. Even if you don’t see Cliff on-site at all times, rest assured he’s working behind the scenes to ensure your project is completed on time, within budget, and built to last.

Cliff Joyner Construction is a premier custom home builder and general contractor serving homeowners in Black Forest, Monument, Larkspur and all of El Paso County, Colorado. A quality, dream home is what you’ll get when you hire Cliff Joyner Construction to build your new, custom home.

With over four decades of home building experience you get someone how really understands the entire “design-build” process. From the very first stage of cost estimating and architectural design, to the construction phase – you’ll gets someone who is an expert at project management  who can provide knowledgeable advice at every step, whether its the selection of building materials, finishes, landscaping, roofing and everything in between. With Cliff Joyner helping you can trust that you’ll get a first class, quality home, on time and one budget, making the entire building process an exciting and rewarding process. Cliff’s vast experience as a general contractor ensures that your investment of time and money will be well spent!

Our first step is to listen. We want to hear what you’re thinking! We listen to your ideas, wants and needs and worth with you throughout the whole process to build an unforgettable home that is built to the highest standards of quality.

Simply put…we build dream homes that will last a lifetime with quality materials and workmanship built in from the foundation to the rooftop.

Cliff Joyner Construction Co., Inc.

Telephone: (719) 481-6196
Email: [email protected]

1270 Fawnwood Rd.
Monument, Colorado 80132

Hire a Quality General Contractor for your Monument Home

When you’re ready to do home improvements or to build a new home, you need to understand that managing a large, complex building project takes a professional. If you want to try to become a general contractor on a large basement remodel or new home you’re asking for trouble and it will likely cost you time, money and headaches in ways you never imagined! That’ why selecting and hiring the right general contractor is a very important – if not – critical decision to ensure your building project will turn out the way you want…on time and on budget without a ton of stress!   Before you decide an agreement with anyone – even us, you need to make sure that they have the talent, personality and qualites that are a right fit for you and your project. Perhaps an obvious rule is…don’t just hire the cheapest guy just because he’s got the low bid. Often, in life, you get what you pay for. Remember, if you have someone to a “cheap” job on YOUR house – you’ll be stuck with it as long as you live there!

We’ve come up with several think for you to consider when interviewing and selecting a general contractor, below is a summary to help you with your decision.

1. Communication Skills

You need to know, without a doubt, that your general contractor is listening to YOU! Since it’s your home that is being built or remodeled,  you need to know that this guy clearly understands what you want and what you’re trying to communicate. Don’t hesitate to talk about money, time and anything else that’s important to you. If you’re doing a remodel, you’re going to have guys tromping around in your home – are they clean, loud, dirty, etc? Tell the general contractor exactly what you want and need so that he can communicate to his crew the “rules” they need to abide by when in your home.

When the contractor is talking to you, is he understandable and easy to communicate with? He better be! Their job is not to try to convince you to do it another way, it’s to do as you wish. Yes, sometimes homeowners want things done that are structurally impossible or cost-prohibitive so sometimes he’ll need to address these sensitive issues – preferrably with tact and logic. Is this guy a stress case or too laid back – both warning signs. You want someone who is enthusiastic, positive and has the right temperament to manage a crew and be sensitive to your needs. The job of the contractor then is to explain why it cannot be done and offer an alternative that will work in a similar fashion

2. Experience

A good general contractor is someone who will have years of experience under their belt. There are a lot of complexities to a larger building project which simply take years of experience to acquire. Learning about every aspect of construction from basic repairs, remodels, estimating materials and labor costs, timing,  scheduling of a project to designing and building high-end, luxury homes – all these things take years to get a good handle on. While most general contractors hire subcontractors, it is imperative that they understand how to do the job themselves. So you should ask them what jobs they know how to do themselves and what “hands-on” construction experience they’ve personally had. A good general contractor will be able to recognize inferior or sloppy work when he sees it and perhaps most importantly he will already have a group of top talent that he knows will do a great job for him. Cliff Joyner takes full  responsibility for work thats done, handles all the subcontractor negotiations and project oversight, schedules the work and assures that every subcontractor completes their tasks on time and to the highest level of craftsmanship.

3. Reputation

Make sure you ask for references and talk to them. If you have someone that can’t provide references you should steer clear. A true pro should have plenty of references for the type of home construction project you’re interested in. If you’re building a deck, make sure they let you talk to some folks that have had decks built by them. There are online ratings from various sites you can Google as well. The reputation any professional has, including general contractors, is directly proportionate to the quality of the work and service that they offer. The best way to find out how good their reputation is to ask previous clients about them like I just mentioned.  You can also check with the local Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau as well.

When you’re talking to these references make sure you ask if their project was on time AND on budget. Did they overcharge for something? Were they prompt to return your calls? A general contractor with integrity will never over-charge a customer and will always do exactly what they say they will. They will also stand behind every aspect of the work that they oversee. That doesn’t mean that there won’t ever be a mistake made, it just means that they will work to rectify the situation quickly. In addition, they will act responsibly when it comes to keeping the work site organized and will dispose of trash properly. The subcontractors should all be respectful and experts in their trade or craft – perhaps that goes without saying?

You need to realize that unexpected things often pop up on a large building or remodeling project.  Construction projects involve everything from roofing, trim, carpeting, tile, light fixtures, building materials, framing, plumbing, painting, doors and window installation – all of which involve costs, selection of materials, delivery scheduling and installation time. If there’s a big storm or if someone gets sick it can impact your project like dominones. So everyone needs to be a little flexible and be able to roll with the punches. As the home owner you need to make sure you have a few extra bucks in your bank account from some things that you didn’t take into account or you want to upgrade. If a project gets delayed due to timing, scheduling, sickness, weather, etc, your general contractor should be willing to go the extra mile to help your project stay within the time frame that you set. That may mean working extra hours, weekends and even evenings, but that’s what being flexible is all about.

Hopefully, this helps with your selection and decision process! Of course, we invite you to contact Cliff Joyner Construction if you’re thinking about building a new home or doing an addition, deck or remodel in the Monument or Black Forest area!