Homebuilding Dictionary

Throughout the construction of your new home, you will notice a whole new language often used by your builder. These words may sound foreign to you at the inception of your construction, so we have provided you with a glossary of terms that will help you better understand the process of building a new home.

Aggregate: A type of stone that appears to have a small pebble like appearance set within a concrete base. Aggregate is typically used in drive ways, patios and can be exposed or covered.
Closing: The final act of a real estate purchase when the sale and/or loan documents are completed.
Correlation: The selections that the buyer makes for a new home. All plumbing fixtures, door knobs, flooring and sink/tub choices are all examples of items that need to be correlated. A home can not be built without all correlations complete. All correlations are made with our design consultant then presented in a document form for the homeowner to authorize final approval.
Change Order: This is initiated by the homebuyer and is necessary to change, add or delete an item in the home.
Drain Tile: A plastic perforated pipe running the perimeter of the footing and terminating in the storm sump or drain pit.
Earnest Money: Money given by the purchaser as a good faith assurance that they will close on the property. It could also be referred to as a deposit. Typically, the earnest amount is 10% of the purchase price. Earnest money is collected at the time when the contract is signed. Earnest money is not refundable.
Electrical Sub Panel: An additional electrical panel to allow for extra breakers to be used when the main panel has run out of room. This panel is only used when there is an extensive amount of lighting used in a house.
Easement: The section of the property that is set aside for utilities or future utilities, including gas, electric and water.
Elevation: The exterior face of your home. It also shows material used as brick, stone, limestone or cedar. It provides a flat view of any exterior side of a home or a view of a single wall in a room. An elevation shows no depth.
Empty Nester: A term used to represent a type of living situation where the children have all left and only the parents remain in the home.
Ejector Pit: A plastic well with motor that pumps out sewer water.
Fee Simple: A fee simple arrangement means that the buyer legally owns the house, the property and anything else included in the contract.
Finished Floor Height: The overall thickness applied to the rough surface of the sub floor.
Framing: The initial wood construction of the skeletal structure or framework of a house.
Floor Plan: An architectural drawing that shows the overall layout of a home, room by room. This overview details the sizes and shapes of each room as well as any optional configurations.
Footing: The concrete bearing pad that supports the foundation wall.
Foundation: The vertical concrete wall that surrounds the perimeter of the house.
Home Owners Association: In many of our new developments an association of all the homeowners is formed. This association is responsible for enforcing the rules and regulations of the community. Also, this group of homeowners maintains the common area grounds, landscaping and snow removal of their development. A monthly fee per each homeowner funds the maintenance budget. The association can decide amongst themselves how to best utilize the money and benefit the area in which they live.
Lot Premium: In most new communities there is an additional charge paid by the buyer for a special lot that is either larger, has a golf course view, faces a body of water or is in a more desirable location.
Lot: Every new single-family community is divided into lots or homesites. A buyer will get to choose the lot in a particular location which best suites their needs.
Option: An item in a home that is not a standard feature that may be purchased for an additional charge. For example, if the buyer prefers a wood burning fireplace or a bay window or perhaps even a separate shower rather than a shower/tub combo or a whirlpool tub. The buyer can choose any of the options that the builder may offer on a particular floorplan.
Punchlist: A written list of items which need to be fixed, repaired or replaced prior to the final closing.
Reservation: A non-binding agreement to purchase a home at a future date. Often a reservation requires a small deposit which guarantees the buyer the first opportunity to proceed with the purchase of their new home.
Standard Feature: A specific item that is automatically included when you purchase your new home. This may include a style of cabinetry, a specific countertop, a window manufacturer, a type of flooring. A typical new home includes nearly a hundred standard features.
Stick Built: A type of construction that refers to framing a home one piece at a time as opposed to using modules. Modular home parts are manufactured and assembled and then delivered to the site for final assembly.
Single-Family: A style of residence that houses one family under one roof. A single-family home can be a 2-story or ranch style home.
Sub Floor: The primary surface just covering the floor joist. This floor is typically a tongue and groove product.
Sump Pit: A plastic well with pump that is located in the basement pumps out the excess water that it detects in the drain tile. This device allows the basement to remain dry throughout construction from rain and excess water that may form around the foundation. The key is to allow water to come into pit and then pump it out.
Stud: Vertical wood plank that, when placed together, makes up the walls of the house.
Soffit: A wood framed, enclosed area that hangs down from the ceiling. Soffits are typically found over sinks, vanities or above cabinets to accommodate recessed can lighting.
Multi-Family: A type of residence that houses more than one unit or home under one roof. A townhome with usually four to six units per building is considered a multi-family community.
Upgrade: A homebuyer can choose to upgrade to a higher level of material or style in any area of their home (e.g. granite countertops versus corian, hardwood floors instead of carpeting, taller kitchen cabinets, a solid wood front door, custom garage doors, even hardware can be upgraded. Your home can be customized to your specific taste.
Walk-Through: The buyer's final inspection of a newly built home prior to move-in. The home owner will review the home with our construction personal prior to closing. This walk through includes an orientation intended to introduce the buyer to the specific features of the home with instruction on how to maintain certain items in the home as well as a review of the warranty agreements.
Warranty: Every new Jacobs home come with a limited warranty that is a guarantee to repair or replace specific items in the home that are covered under the agreement according to the terms of the warranty. We offer a 1-year limited warranty on any structural, electrical, heating, cooling or plumbing problems.
Weep Holes: Voids between the bricks on the first row that contact the foundation. These voids in the vertical joints are in place to allow any condensation that may collect on the inside of a brick wall to escape. These weep holes may also be located above a window.
Window Muttons: Decorative wooden dividers that can be painted. Muttons are typically used in a traditional setting.
Window Mulls: A division between a wooden trim separating the full panes of glass.
Zoned Air: Homes having two or more heating and cooling units that operates independently of each other. Different thermostats control the units. One part or zone of the home can be kept at a different temperature than the other.