Resources

The remodeling glossary

Sixty terms you will meet in bids, contracts and permit paperwork, in plain language. Legal definitions can change; check current requirements with the official source.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU): A secondary residential living unit located on the same parcel as a primary single-family or multi-family home. It includes independent living facilities such as a kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area. In Los Angeles, state and local regulations allow various formats, including detached units, garage conversions, and attached additions.
Allowance: A budget placeholder in a construction contract for materials or fixtures that have not yet been selected. Once you choose the actual product, the cost difference is adjusted via a credit or an additional charge. It helps establish a contract price while giving you flexibility to decide on finishes later.
As-built drawings: Architectural plans that show the exact layout, dimensions, and structural conditions of a home as it currently exists. They serve as the baseline starting point for architects and engineers before designing any remodel or addition. These drawings are particularly essential for older Los Angeles homes where original plans may be missing or inaccurate.
Baseline Hillside Ordinance: A City of Los Angeles zoning regulation that restricts the size, height, grading, and footprint of homes built on hillside properties. Its goal is to preserve natural topography and prevent out-of-scale development in hillside neighborhoods. If your property is in an eligible hillside zone, this ordinance will dictate maximum floor area and earth movement limits.
Building permit: An official authorization issued by the local building department, such as the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), allowing construction to proceed. It ensures that planned work complies with safety, health, and structural codes. Most significant structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical projects require one before work starts.
Certificate of Occupancy: A formal document issued by the local building department certifying that a building complies with applicable codes and is legally safe to occupy. It is typically granted at the conclusion of new construction or significant structural conversions, such as an ADU. For many standard interior remodels, a final signed-off permit inspection card serves a similar administrative purpose.
Change order: A written amendment to the original construction contract that describes modifications to the project scope, cost, or schedule. Both the homeowner and the contractor must agree to and sign the document before the revised work begins. It helps prevent surprises and ensures that billing remains clear as project needs evolve.
Coastal Development Permit: A specialized permit required for projects located within California's designated coastal zone, including coastal pockets of Los Angeles. It ensures that proposed construction complies with environmental protections, public access rules, and scenic preservation standards. Obtaining one can require additional public review and coordination with the California Coastal Commission.
Contractor license bond: A state-mandated surety bond that licensed general and specialty contractors in California must maintain to protect consumers against code violations or financial harm. The required amount is set by state law; check the current requirement at cslb.ca.gov. It provides a limited safety net, though homeowners should still verify insurance and contracts independently.
CSLB: The Contractors State License Board, the California state agency responsible for licensing, regulating, and disciplining construction contractors. Homeowners can use the agency's database to verify a contractor's license status, bonding, and workers' compensation coverage. Check current license standing and consumer resources directly at cslb.ca.gov.
Design-build: A project delivery method where a single entity handles both architectural design and construction under one contract. This provides homeowners with a unified point of contact from concept through completion. It often streamlines communication and schedule coordination compared to hiring an architect and general contractor separately.
Down payment limit: A California consumer protection rule that restricts the maximum upfront deposit a contractor can legally request for a home improvement project before work begins. Under state law, this is generally capped at a specific dollar amount or percentage; check the current requirement at cslb.ca.gov. Demanding more than this legal threshold is a violation of California law.
Drywall: Panels made of gypsum plaster pressed between paper sheets, used to finish interior walls and ceilings. Once hung, the seams are taped and compounded to create a smooth surface ready for paint. It also contributes to sound dampening and provides a degree of fire resistance.
Easement: A legal right granted to another party to access or use a specific portion of your property for a defined purpose, such as utility lines or shared driveways. Easements are recorded on the property deed and can restrict where you are allowed to build or place additions. Reviewing your title report will identify any active easements across your parcel.
Egress window: A window that satisfies specific opening dimensions to provide a safe emergency exit and allow entry for emergency personnel. Building codes require every sleeping room to have at least one code-compliant egress window or exterior door. These dimensions are strictly checked by building inspectors during room additions and conversions.
Electrical panel upgrade: The process of replacing an existing service panel to increase electrical capacity and handle modern household power demands. Older Los Angeles homes often require an upgrade to safely support heat pumps, EV chargers, induction ranges, or air conditioning. The work involves coordination between your licensed electrician, the local utility, and city inspectors.
Fascia: The horizontal architectural board that caps the ends of the roof rafters and runs along the roofline. It provides a finished edge and often serves as the mounting surface for rain gutters. Protecting fascia from moisture and wood rot is an important part of exterior home maintenance.
Final inspection: The concluding inspection conducted by city officials to confirm that all permitted construction work matches the approved plans and meets applicable building codes. Passing this inspection closes out the permit and marks the official administrative completion of your project. It is essential to ensure that open permits do not cloud your property records.
Fire sprinklers: An integrated indoor fire suppression system designed to detect and automatically extinguish or control fires. California building standards mandate sprinklers in all newly constructed single-family residences, and certain major additions or ADUs may also require them. They are designed to protect life and preserve structural integrity during a fire.
Flashing: Thin strips of waterproof material, typically sheet metal, installed at roof intersections, chimneys, windows, and doors to redirect water away from the building. It prevents moisture from entering vulnerable joints and causing internal structural rot. Properly installed flashing is a critical defense against moisture intrusion in Southern California rainstorms.
Footing: The reinforced concrete base of a foundation that rests directly on undisturbed or engineered soil. It distributes the weight of the structure evenly to prevent settling, shifting, or structural movement. Proper depth and engineering are essential, particularly on expansive clay soils or hillside parcels.
Framing: The structural skeleton of a building, usually assembled using dimensioned lumber or structural steel studs, joists, and beams. It gives shape to walls, floors, and roofs while supporting all dead and live loads. Framing must pass a thorough city inspection before insulation and drywall can be installed.
Galvanized plumbing: Older steel water supply pipes coated with zinc, commonly found in Los Angeles homes built before the 1960s. Over time, these pipes corrode from the inside out, leading to reduced water pressure, rusty water, and eventual leaks. Whole-house repiping with modern materials is often recommended during major renovations.
GFCI: Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, a safety device that quickly shuts off electrical power when it detects an unintended path of current, such as through water or a person. Current building codes require GFCI protection in areas prone to moisture, including kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor outlets. They are an essential element of residential electrical safety.
Grading permit: A permit required by the city when moving, cutting, filling, or excavating significant quantities of earth on a property. It ensures that slope stability, drainage patterns, and erosion control are properly managed to protect neighboring lots. Hillside properties across Los Angeles almost always trigger grading permit reviews.
Header: A heavy horizontal framing beam placed across an opening, such as a door or window, to bear and redistribute the weight from above to the side framing studs. Proper sizing is calculated by an architect or structural engineer based on the width of the opening and the load overhead. Undersized headers can cause sagging frames and jammed doors.
HERS rating: Home Energy Rating System verification, an independent inspection process required in California to verify that heating, cooling, and insulation systems perform efficiently. A certified third-party rater tests ductwork, refrigerant charge, and air sealing to confirm compliance with state energy standards. Passing a HERS test is often required to close out an HVAC permit.
Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ): A designated historic district in the City of Los Angeles intended to protect the architectural character and heritage of neighborhood homes. Property owners within an HPOZ must submit exterior changes for review by an appointed board before building permits can be issued. Interior work is usually exempt, but visible exterior features are carefully protected.
HOA architectural review: The formal evaluation process conducted by a homeowner association's architectural committee before exterior modifications can begin. The review verifies that proposed designs, colors, and materials adhere to the community's CC&Rs. Approval is required separately from municipal building permits.
Home improvement contract: A legally binding agreement between a homeowner and a licensed contractor outlining the full details of a residential project. California law mandates specific consumer notices, payment schedules, and cancellation clauses within these contracts. Review guidelines and required provisions at cslb.ca.gov.
Junior ADU (JADU): A small residential unit created within the existing footprint of a single-family home, typically capped at 500 square feet. It includes an efficiency kitchen and an exterior entrance, and it may either have its own bathroom or share sanitation facilities with the primary house. Unlike standard ADUs, owner-occupancy rules may apply under certain conditions.
Knob-and-tube wiring: An early method of electrical wiring commonly installed in Los Angeles homes from the late 1800s to the 1940s, featuring porcelain knobs and tubes to support bare wires. It lacks a grounding wire and can pose safety risks when surrounded by modern insulation or overloaded with appliances. Many insurance carriers require its replacement prior to issuing coverage.
Lien release: A written document provided by a contractor, subcontractor, or material supplier confirming they have received payment and giving up their right to place a mechanics lien on the property. California utilizes standardized conditional and unconditional lien release forms that correspond to project payment milestones. Collecting these with every payment protects homeowners from double liability.
Load-bearing wall: A wall that carries the structural weight of the roof, ceiling, or upper floors down to the foundation. Removing or altering one requires engineered beams and posts to redistribute the load safely. An architect or structural engineer must evaluate walls before any open-concept demolition begins.
Mechanics lien: A legal claim filed against a real property by an unpaid contractor, subcontractor, or material supplier who provided labor or supplies to the project. If valid, the lien clouds the property title and can complicate refinancing or sales until cleared. Homeowners protect themselves by obtaining signed lien releases with every payment made.
Plan check: The municipal review process where city plan examiners inspect architectural and engineering drawings to confirm compliance with building, zoning, and safety codes. In Los Angeles, this process takes place through LADBS before building permits are granted. Any corrections requested by examiners must be addressed on revised plans before approval.
Preliminary notice: A written notification sent by a subcontractor, supplier, or equipment vendor alerting the homeowner that they are providing materials or labor to the project. It is not a lien, but rather a routine legal step required under California law to preserve the sender's right to file a lien if they are not paid. It gives the homeowner clear visibility into who is working on their property.
Progress payment: A scheduled installment payment made to a contractor after specific, predetermined phases of work are completed and inspected. Under California law, progress payments cannot exceed the value of the work actually performed or materials delivered. Structuring payments this way protects both parties as construction advances.
Punch list: A detailed checklist compiled near the end of a project outlining minor repairs, incomplete finishes, or cosmetic adjustments that need correction. The contractor must address these items before the project is deemed fully finished and final payments are issued. It ensures that every detail aligns with the agreed scope of work.
Raised foundation: A foundation system built on concrete perimeter footings and piers that lifts the home's subfloor above the ground, creating a crawlspace underneath. This configuration provides convenient access to plumbing, electrical, and heating lines running beneath the house. It is common across mid-century and historic homes throughout Los Angeles.
Retention: A percentage of each progress payment withheld by the homeowner until the entire construction project is complete and verified. It provides financial leverage to ensure that the contractor finishes all punch list items and clears required permits. The withheld funds are released after final inspection and submission of final lien releases.
Rough-in: The stage of construction where mechanical, electrical, and plumbing lines, ductwork, and pipes are routed through framing before walls are closed. These installations must remain exposed so that city inspectors can confirm code compliance. Once the rough-in inspections pass, insulation and drywall can be installed.
Scope of work: A detailed, written description within a construction contract that outlines all tasks, materials, standards, and milestones involved in the project. It clarifies what is included and what is explicitly excluded from the agreement. A thorough scope reduces misunderstandings and provides a clear reference for both parties.
Seismic retrofit: Structural modifications designed to strengthen an existing home against earthquake forces, commonly by bolting the wood frame to the concrete foundation and bracing perimeter cripple walls with plywood. This work helps prevent older raised-foundation homes from sliding off their foundations during ground shaking. It is a critical safety consideration for Los Angeles property owners.
Setback: The mandatory distance established by municipal zoning rules between a property line and the exterior walls of a building. Setbacks define front, rear, and side yards to maintain neighborhood spacing, light, and safety corridors. Additions and new construction must fit within the buildable envelope formed by these boundaries.
Site plan: A scaled architectural drawing showing the entire property boundary, building footprints, driveways, trees, easements, and utility connections. It demonstrates how proposed improvements relate to property lines and adjacent structures. City building departments require an accurate site plan during the permit application process.
Slab foundation: A foundation type consisting of a flat, reinforced concrete layer poured directly onto the prepared ground. It serves as both the structural base and the ground-level floor support of the home, eliminating crawlspace maintenance. It is widely used in post-war construction throughout Southern California.
Soft costs: Expenses in a building project that are not directly tied to physical labor or construction materials, such as architectural designs, engineering fees, permit charges, and land surveys. These planning costs can represent a significant portion of an overall budget and typically arise before physical building begins. Tracking them separately helps homeowners keep their total financial plan organized.
Structural engineer: A licensed professional engineer who calculates loads, stresses, and structural integrity to design foundations, beams, and framing systems that resist gravity, wind, and seismic forces. In earthquake-prone Los Angeles, their stamped calculations and drawings are required for most major renovations, wall removals, or hillside projects. They ensure the physical safety and code compliance of structural plans.
Stucco: A durable exterior plaster finish composed of cement, sand, and water applied in multiple coats over a weather barrier and metal lath. It is extremely common in Los Angeles architecture due to its longevity, fire resistance, and suitability for dry climates. Regular maintenance involves inspecting for surface hairline cracks and keeping moisture barriers intact.
Subcontractor: A specialized tradesperson or firm hired by the general contractor to perform specific tasks such as plumbing, electrical work, drywall, or roofing. While they work on your home, their legal and contractual relationship is generally with the primary contractor. General contractors remain responsible for coordinating and supervising their work.
Subfloor: The structural base layer installed directly over the floor joists to provide a flat, stable foundation for finished flooring like tile, hardwood, or carpet. Usually made of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB), it distributes foot traffic and furniture loads. A sound subfloor prevents squeaks, uneven surfaces, and moisture damage in finished floors.
Title 24: California's Building Standards Code, which contains comprehensive regulations covering structural safety, fire prevention, and energy efficiency. Homeowners most commonly encounter its Energy Code requirements, which govern lighting, insulation, windows, and HVAC performance in new construction and remodels. Compliance documentation must be submitted and approved during the city plan check process.
Underlayment: A protective barrier installed beneath exterior finishes such as roofing shingles, tiles, or interior flooring. On roofs, it acts as a secondary water-resistant layer to prevent leaks if the outer covering fails. Under finished floors, it provides cushioning, sound absorption, and moisture protection.
Variance: Official discretionary permission granted by a local zoning authority to depart from standard zoning requirements, such as setback or height limits. It is typically granted only when unique physical hardships or site constraints make strict compliance impractical. Applying for a variance involves public notices, hearings, and administrative review.
Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone: A state and city designation applied to geographic areas facing elevated wildfire risks, including many Los Angeles hillside and canyon communities. Homes in these zones must adhere to stricter ignition-resistant building codes, such as ember-resistant vents, non-combustible roofing, and defensible space clearances. Checking your property's zone helps you plan for required fire-hardening materials.
Waterproofing membrane: A continuous layer of water-impermeable material applied to surfaces like foundation walls, decks, roofs, and shower pans to block moisture intrusion. It prevents leaks, structural decay, and mold growth by keeping underlying materials dry. Proper installation and flood testing are essential steps during permitted inspections.
Workers' compensation insurance: State-mandated insurance coverage that protects employees who are injured on the job by covering medical costs and lost wages. California contractors with employees must maintain active policies to protect homeowners from personal liability in the event of an on-site injury. You can confirm your contractor's coverage status at cslb.ca.gov.
ZIMAS: The Zone Information and Map Access System, a web-based mapping tool operated by the City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning. Homeowners can look up any Los Angeles address to view zoning designations, historic overlay zones, hillside boundaries, and parcel details. It is a critical first step when planning any remodeling or addition project.
Zoning: Municipal laws that govern how land and buildings can be used within designated geographic districts, regulating properties for single-family, multi-family, or commercial use. Zoning codes dictate building heights, setbacks, parking requirements, and allowable lot coverage. Reviewing your property's zoning classification clarifies what types of construction are permitted on your parcel.

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