Words pros use, in plain words

• Bid or quoteA firm price for a described job. Get it in writing.
• BondedThe business bought a bond that can pay a customer if it breaks certain rules.
• BreakerA switch in the panel that shuts off a circuit when it is overloaded.
• Change orderA written change to the job and its price after work has started. Sign it before the extra work is done.
• DepositMoney paid before work starts. Some states cap it.
• EstimateWhat the pro expects the job to cost. It can change if the job changes.
• FlashingThin metal that seals the joints on a roof, around chimneys, vents and walls. Leaks often start there.
• GFCI outletA safety outlet with "test" and "reset" buttons that cuts power fast near water.
• Grout and caulkGrout fills between tiles and is hard. Caulk is flexible and seals corners and edges.
• InsuredThe business has insurance for damage or injuries on the job. Ask for the certificate.
• LicensedThe state or city has approved the business to do that trade. You can look the number up.
• LienA claim on your house by someone who was not paid for work or materials. A lien release shows they were paid.
• Load-bearing wallA wall that holds up the house. Removing it takes an engineer and a permit.
• P-trapThe curved pipe under a sink. It holds water to block sewer smell, and it is where clogs sit.
• PermitThe city or county's approval for certain work. An inspector checks the work afterward.
• PrimerThe first coat that helps paint stick and cover.
• Punch listThe small things left to fix at the end of a job, written down before the last payment.
• R-valueHow well insulation holds back heat. Higher is better.
• Rough-inPipes and wires put in before the walls are closed.
• SEER ratingHow efficient an air conditioner is. A higher number uses less power.
• Service call feeA charge for coming out and finding the problem. Ask if it counts toward the repair.
• Shutoff valveA valve that stops the water to one fixture or the whole house.
• SubcontractorA separate company your contractor brings in for part of the job.
• Tonnage (AC)The cooling size of an AC unit. Too big is as bad as too small.
• UnderlaymentThe layer under shingles, tile or flooring that you do not see.
• WarrantyThe promise to fix problems for a set time. Ask what is covered: the work, the materials, or both.

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Plain explanations, not legal advice. The exact meaning in your contract is what the contract says.