The words your projects run on.
Plain-English definitions of the terms Pakka, and your projects, use every day.
- BOQ (Bill of Quantities)
- A BOQ is the itemised list of everything a project will deliver: each item's description, unit, quantity and rate, adding up to the project value.
- Variation (scope change)
- A variation is any change to the agreed scope after the quote is accepted: an addition, a deduction, or a change in quantity, rate or specification.
- Snag (snag list)
- A snag is a defect or unfinished detail found on site, such as a chipped tile, an uneven shutter or a missing handle. A snag list collects them so each one is fixed before handover.
- QC gate
- A QC gate is a quality check that work must pass before the next stage can start or the stage can be called complete.
- Retention and DLP (defect liability period)
- Retention is a part of a contractor's or vendor's payment, often 5 to 10 percent, held back until the defect liability period (DLP) after handover ends. During the DLP they must fix defects at no cost.
- PO (purchase order)
- A purchase order is a numbered document that commits you to buy specific items from a vendor at agreed rates, quantities and terms.
- GRN (goods receipt note)
- A goods receipt note records what material actually arrived on site against a purchase order: what was received, what was short and what was damaged.
- Three-way match
- A three-way match checks that the purchase order (what was ordered), the goods receipt (what arrived) and the vendor's bill (what is charged) agree before the bill is paid.
- GFC drawings (good for construction)
- GFC drawings are the final, approved drawings that site is allowed to build from. Anything earlier is a draft.
- Recce (site measurement)
- A recce is the first site visit to measure the space and record its existing conditions before design starts.
- Measurement book
- A measurement book is the record of actual quantities done on site, line by line, agreed between you and the vendor. The final bill is built from it.
- Pre-start condition report
- A pre-start condition report records the existing condition of every room, with photos, before work begins, and is acknowledged by the client.
- Client selection
- A client selection is a decision the client must make between options, such as one of three laminates or tiles, before that work can proceed.
- Payment milestone
- A payment milestone is a stage of a project at which the client owes the next instalment, such as booking, design sign-off, material order or handover.
- Two-person approval
- Two-person approval means the person who raises a payment cannot be the one who approves it.
- Handover pack
- A handover pack is the set of documents given to the client at completion: drawings, warranties, QC records, snag closure and care instructions.
10 founding firms in 2026.
We set up every firm ourselves: we learn how you work, shape Pakka around it, and stay with you on a weekly call. So we take a few firms at a time. Your first project is free, and founding firms who join by 31 December 2026 keep their price for life.
Tell us about your firm. We call you, check it fits, and set you up. How it works or Questions? WhatsApp us
Already on Pakka? Log in