Definition of "Cost-plus contract"

Agreement in which the contract price to build something is equal to the total costs incurred plus a predetermined profit. The profit may be based on a percentage of cost (e.g., 20% of cost) or a flat profit figure (e.g., $60,000). This type of contract is not good for the buyer because the contractor may intentionally overstate the construction costs to obtain a higher profit figure when profit is determined based on a percentage of total costs. If the construction costs are $100,000 and the percentage of profit is 25%, the total contract price will be $125,000.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

A Homeowner’s Association (HOA) is an organized group of homeowners in a home subdivision, condominium, or cooperative complex. They come together and found a Homeowner’s ...

Divides a locality into districts for differing purposes. The map is continually kept current. It reveals the status of each district. ...

Individual with legal privileges and obligations. The legal term is sometimes used for a corporation. ...

Person, such as the beneficiary of a deed, asking that he be informed if the property is foreclosed by someone else. ...

Underwriting is a term often used with financial connotation. It is a process that helps individuals or institutions to determine if it’s worth taking a financial risk in a particular ...

A promise to uphold a guarantor's contractual or financial responsibility in the even of default. ...

Interior building trim surrounding windows, doors, and baseboards. Interior trim is both decorative and functional. It comes in several different styles and serves to finish the adjoining ...

The meaning of an undisclosed principal in everyday use often refers to a confidential client who intends to keep their identity hidden. Typically, this individual remains in the background ...

Giving money, a good, or service that is worth something in exchange for another good or service provided by the other party. An example is paying cash for the market price of a home. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions