Pigtails, electrical - The electric cord that the electrician provides and installs on an appliance such as a garbage disposal, dishwasher, or range hood.

Thermostat - A device which relegates the temperature of a room or building by switching heating or cooling equipment on or off.

Concrete - A basic building and paving material made by mixing water with sand, gravel, and cement. Also see mortar and cement.

Mortgage loan - A contract in which the borrower's property is pledged as collateral. It is repaid in installments. The mortgagor (buyer) promises to repay principal and interest, keep the home insured, pay all taxes and keep the property in good condition.

Shoe moulding - Strips of quarter round commonly used where a baseboard meets the floor. Also sometimes known as base shoe.

Radiant heating - A method of heating, usually consisting of a forced hot water system with pipes placed in the floor, wall, or ceiling. Also electrically heated panels.

Deck, decked - To install the plywood or wafer board sheeting on the floor joists, rafters, or trusses.

Backfill - The replacement of excavated earth into a trench around or against a basement /crawl space foundationwall.

Casing - Wood trim molding installed around a door or window opening.

Expansion joint - Fibrous material (@1/2" thick) installed in and around a concrete slab to permit it to move up and down (seasonally) along the non -moving foundation wall.

Forced air heating - A common form of heating with natural gas, propane, oil or electricity as a fuel. Air is heated in the furnace and distributed through a set of metal ducts to various areas of the house.

Mortgage broker - A broker who represents numerous lenders and helps consumers find affordable mortgages; the broker charges a fee only if the consumer finds a loan.

Post -and -beam - A basic building method that uses just a few hefty posts and beams to support an entire structure. Contrasts with stud framing.

Sole plate - The bottom, horizontal framing member of a wall that's attached to the floor sheeting and vertical wall studs.

Strike - The plate on a door frame that engages a latch or dead bolt

Terra cotta - A ceramic material molded into masonry units.