by David Stutzman | Dec 18, 2018 | Bad Specs, Professional Practice, Specifications, Sustainable Design
What could possibly go wrong? The architect’s sustainability consultant provided a LEED scorecard and other materials as we started the project specifications. As is typical, the project is expected to achieve most of the materials and environmental quality...
by Elias Saltz | Apr 12, 2018 | Bad Specs, Code Requirements, Design Considerations, Product Failures, Specifications
Looking at the recent history of construction, we find that it is littered with a spectrum of failures, from minor cosmetic types up to and including those that are truly catastrophic. The former may include mere annoyances – cracked finishes and the like,...
by David Stutzman | Jul 14, 2014 | Bad Specs, Bidding, Professional Practice, Quality Assurance, Specifications
Yes it is a spec, and it deserves attention – the proper attention to be certain the contractor delivers what is required by the contract. The design team created the drawings and specifications defining the project to meet the owner’s requirements and...
by David Stutzman | Jun 30, 2014 | Bad Specs, Design Considerations, Quality Assurance, Specifications
We were asked to submit a proposal, and ultimately were engaged, to provide architectural specifications services for a new seven story core and shell medical office building. The architect had already employed an exterior wall consultant to help with the above grade...
by David Stutzman | Sep 9, 2013 | AIA, Bad Specs, Construction Administration, CSI, Professional Practice, Specifications
The bidders are required to attend a pre-bid meeting. The owner, the design team, and (presumably) all the bidders attend. Each meeting follows essentially the same agenda. The owner briefly explains his perspective of the project and outlines any special requirements...
by David Stutzman | Sep 2, 2013 | AIA, Bad Specs, Bidding, Construction Administration, CSI, Professional Practice, Quality Assurance, Specifications
This month the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) will hold its annual convention and the Specifications Consultants in Independent Practice (SCIP) will hold its annual meeting, both in conjunction with CONSTRUCT, an annual educational seminar and product...
by David Stutzman | Feb 20, 2012 | Bad Specs, CSI, Professional Practice, Specifications
Be careful! Often project specifications are not written by one individual. The final project manual may have contributions by the architect, specifier, engineers (usually plural), and specialty consultants. Coordination problems must be eliminated before the...
by David Stutzman | Jan 28, 2012 | Bad Specs, Construction Administration, Professional Practice, Specifications
Consultant specifications delivered to architects for inclusion in project manuals can produce some interesting coordination issues, especially when there is no time to make corrections before the scheduled publication. Food Service Equipment SpecThe following (edited...
by David Stutzman | Jan 16, 2012 | Bad Specs, Professional Practice, Specifications
“All work shall be of the highest quality, in accordance with the best trade practices, and performed by skilled workmen. All work shall be accomplished to the satisfaction of the Architect and Owner.” This is text that was suggested by a prominent...
by David Stutzman | Jan 9, 2012 | Bad Specs, Product Failures, Specifications
We receive the following suggestion from a building envelope consultant to include in a specification for sealant adhesion testing provided by the contractor. A. Perform test every 100 feet for the first 1000 feet of joint length for each kind of sealant and joint...
by David Stutzman | Dec 12, 2011 | Bad Specs, Professional Practice, Specifications
Have you found yourself thinking or possibly yelling, “I hate specs!” as though you have been cursed by the task? Then think about this: “The writing of architects’ specifications is a task approached by many with trepidation, by some with the...
by David Stutzman | Oct 31, 2011 | Bad Specs, Professional Practice, Specifications
Here is a piece of a “constructability review” completed recently by Jamie Hewitt. His comments are in bold, inserted into the specification text. The general contractors must licensed; I wonder if the same applies to the subs? SPECIFICATIONS a. ...
by David Stutzman | Oct 20, 2011 | Bad Specs, Construction Administration, Specifications
Thanks to Liz O’Sullivan for the first Bad Specs entry. 088000 glazing tech guide.pdf Send your own examples to me at dstutzman@conspectusinc.com. Liz’s entry is not a project spec, but rather a public school district’s tech guide that architects and...
by David Stutzman | Oct 10, 2011 | Bad Specs, Construction Administration, Professional Practice, Specifications
Last week, a friend received a request for a bid from a Construction Manager. How the Construction Manager expected to get valid bids with the spec provided, escaped my friend and me. See...
