Home Build & Renovation Cost Glossary

Plain-English definitions of Charlotte home building and renovation cost terms: hard costs, allowances, draw schedules, tap fees, dry-in, rough-in, and more.

Charlotte market context

Definitions for the terms that appear in Charlotte builder contracts, lender draw schedules, and permit applications: hard costs, soft costs, allowances, change orders, cost-plus and fixed-price contracts, contingency, builder markup, draw schedules, retainage, conditioned square footage, finish tiers, site work, utility tap fees, impact fees, setbacks, tree save areas, certificates of occupancy, ADUs, dry-in, rough-in, punch lists, and millwork.

This home build & renovation cost glossary page is part of Cost to Build Charlotte's 2026 library covering build costs, renovation budgets, land prices, neighborhood pricing, timelines, and planning guidance across the Charlotte metro area.