Today we talk about why every builder (every construction project) needs a Specification.
Many designers rely on the builder to do everything on-site in an acceptable way, and consequently no Spec is done.
Often, these designers have several builders that they usually work with. Apparently both parties know each other well and know what the other needs and wants. It’s almost a friendship arrangement.
In my opinion, this is a risky approach to construction and relies on luck too much. The Spec covers all the micro detail that just must be documented to cover the project. It’s like an insurance policy.
When something goes awry on-site, even a small thing, it usually is costly to fix. That is the nature of construction. A ‘friendship’ type arrangement between a designer and builder will be put to the test when significant money is at stake, and it will likely be the money that will lead to a fix.
This can lead to bitterness and an unhappy client who perhaps may come to see how unprofessional the designer/builder relationship was.
Having a good Specification, plus comprehensive drawings and schedules, is the best way to avoid on- site conflict that is hard and painful to resolve. Clients also will go on to tell others how smoothly the project went.
