Construction Project Contracts and Specifications

Bertis, Kyle Fate F.
BSCE-4
Activity #1
CE466 – MO1
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT CONTRACTS AND SPECIFICATIONS

Construction specifications, also known, as specs, detail the work and workmanship needed to complete a construction
project. And there’s no way to get around them. As required documents during the design phase, they’re part of a formal
process. According to the Dictionary of Architecture & Construction a specification is, “a written document describing in
detail the scope of work, materials to be used, methods of installation, and quality of workmanship for a parcel of work
to be placed under contract; usually utilized in conjunction with working (contract) drawings in building construction.”
Furthermore, according to The Construction Specifier, “specification sections are customized in order to accurately
describe the intended materials, and then these sections are used by the team to identify the type of products that should
be used onsite.”
As mentioned, construction specifications are prepared before construction begins, in the design phase as part of the
contract documents. Although their structure varies project-by-project, typically they reflect packages to be given to
subcontractors from contractors. Specifically, this is extremely helpful in the tender process.
Typically, specs are prepared by the architect or designers. Generally, architects will delegate them but oftentimes project
engineers will be involved due to their breadth of technical knowledge. Sometimes, on large-scale projects, companies
will even call for specialized and professional specification writers to ensure all details are covered.
Although they are separate from design drawings themselves, specs should be complementary to these documents and
prepared in tandem. So, if the design advances, so should the specifications, with more and more details being added as
plans get more complex.
If you’ve been around the construction industry for

more than a minute, you know the more details, the
better. The clearer a description is, the more likely it
will be executed correctly. Specifications can be
considered a lot of like data. Without access to the
right and an abundance of data, projects can easily
fail. As construction projects become more complex
and budgets become scrutinized, access to ample
data is critical to making the right decisions when building. Most importantly, if specifications are done correctly, they
reduce risk. In construction, controlling risk is essential to managing end-to-end project lifecycle.
Furthermore, specifications are particularly important during the tender process for pricing. With solid specs, the
contractor should have no doubt about pricing during this process.
Main Types of Construction Specifications:
Each project is unique and will need a different set of specifications and most likely corresponding packages. However,
there are three main types of construction specifications commonly used on projects:
• Prescriptive: Provides details on the types of materials and installations needed to complete a project.
Additionally, prescriptive specifications also describe how to measure installations to ensure that they were up to
project quality and standards.
• Performance: Describes the operational requirements. Fundamentally, the performance specifications should
describe to the contractor what is needed for the final product and how it should essentially function once
completed.
• Proprietary: Although not as common as prescriptive and performance, proprietary specifications are used if only
one specific product can be used for an installation.
Construction specifications will no doubt need dedicated time and resources to get them right. In general, the design
phase is critical to setting up the success of a project and specs should be taken seriously. In the past, specifications were
one of the last items to be written before tender. However, this is changing. As the industry faces increased competition
and technology like BIM provides a better analysis of what needs to be done before construction begins, specifications
have increased in importance. A natural first step in creating valuable specifications is not waiting until the last minute. By
including specifications early in the project lifecycle, performance requirements are established from the start and project
risk is reduced on a whole.
Nonetheless, software can also make submittals easier and more collaborative. Certain construction solutions will let you
upload all your documents in one place, letting you link specifications to design documents for a full picture. Additionally,
if your software includes past versions, you can revisit older specs for clarification if project changes aren’t entirely clear.
As a result, your whole project team works more efficiently and collaboratively because they’re all on the same page.
Construction specifications, although time-consuming and sometimes part of a tedious process, are a necessary step in a
successful project. If you’re a designer or architect, spend the time to get these documents right so your vision for the
project is executed correctly. If you’re an owner or contractor, ensure you have all the information you and your team
needs to carry out the details of your project on time and budget. And just remember, being overly specific never hurt
anyone in a construction process.

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Bertis, Kyle Fate F.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT CONTRACTS AND SPECIFICATIONS

If you’ve been around the construction industry for

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