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Which of the following terms refers to contractor costs not specifically defined within a contract?

1. Sub costs

2. Soft costs

3. Hard costs

4. Profit

The correct answer is: Soft costs

The term that refers to contractor costs not specifically defined within a contract is "soft costs." Soft costs typically include expenses that are not directly tied to labor or materials but are necessary for the overall project. These may encompass costs like permits, legal fees, insurance, and administrative expenses. In contrast, hard costs refer to direct costs associated with physical construction, such as materials and labor. Profit is related to the financial gain a contractor expects to achieve from the project, while sub costs may pertain to specific subcontractor expenses that are clearly defined or anticipated. Since soft costs can often be unclear or less quantifiable than hard costs, they represent a category of expenses in projects that are generally less defined within contracts.