Eaves - The margin or lower part of a roof projecting over the wall.

Expansion Joint - A bituminous fiber strip used to separate blocks or units of concrete to prevent cracking due to expansion as a result of temperature changes. Also used on concrete slabs.

Easement - Rights given, to another party, to use a portion of a property that belongs to someone else, for certain reasons, such as power lines or walkways.

Economies of Scale - Situation by which the average per square foot cost of construction declines as building size and volume expands.

Economy - Brick 4 x 4 x 8 inch sized brick.

Elbow (ell) - A plumbing or electrical fitting that lets you change directions in runs of pipe or conduit.

Electric Lateral - The trench or area in the yard where the electric service line (from a transformer or pedestal) is located, or the work of installing the electric service to a home.

Electric Resistance Coils - Metal wires that heat up when electric current passes through them and are used in baseboard heaters and electric water heaters.

Electrical Rough - Work performed by the Electrical Contractor after the plumber and heating contractor are complete with their phase of work. Normally all electrical wires, and outlet, switch, and fixture boxes are installed (before insulation).

Electrical Trim - Work performed by the electrical contractor when the project is nearing completion. The electrician installs all plugs, switches, ight fixtures, smoke detectors, appliance "pig tails", ventilation fans, wires the furnace, and "makes up" the electrical panel.

Estimate - The amount of labor, materials, and other costs that a contractor anticipates for a project as summarized in the contractor's bid proposal for the project.

Escutcheon - An ornamental plate that fits around a pipe extending through a wall or floor to hide the cut out hole.

Estimating - The process of calculating the cost of a project. This can be a formal and exact process or a quick and imprecise process.

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.

Expansive Soils - Earth that swells and contracts depending on the amount of water that is present. ("Betonite" is an expansive soil).

Exposed Aggregate Finish - A method of finishing concrete which washes the cement/sand mixture off the top layer of the aggregate - usually gravel. Often used in driveways, patios and other exterior surfaces.

Extras - Additional work requested of a contractor, not included in the original plan, which will be billed separately and will not alter the original contract amount, but will increase the cost of the project.