Service:

Plans & Specifications

Our team prepares comprehensive plans and specifications that clearly define the scope, quality, and quantity of work before construction begins. By communicating expectations upfront, we eliminate ambiguity, promote fair competition, reduce change orders, and anticipate unforeseen conditions—setting the foundation for successful project delivery.

At every project stage, we develop coordinated drawings and written specifications that align owners, managers, and contractors around a single, well-defined vision. The result is smoother execution, more accurate pricing, tighter schedules, and greater confidence for all stakeholders.

Why Plans & Specifications Matter

Plans and specifications form a critical component of the construction contract. Together, they establish the technical, administrative, and performance requirements that govern how work is priced, executed, and verified.

Written specifications are typically organized into multiple divisions addressing:
• Procurement and contractual requirements
• General project conditions
• Technical and performance-based requirements

When properly developed and coordinated, these documents significantly reduce risk and uncertainty throughout construction.

50% - Clear upfront documentation can cut contractor disputes in half

40% - Early issue identification reduces unexpected delays by up to 40%

20-30% - Projects with detailed specifications often finish up to one-third faster

25% - Well-defined scopes reduce cost overruns by as much as 25%

Did you know?

The Blueprint for Project Success

Projects with detailed upfront plans finish 20–30% faster and cut change orders by up to 50%

Specifications
Specifications define how the work must be performed and what standards must be met.

General Specifications
Address contractor requirements related to:

Site access and logistics
Scheduling and coordination
Safety protocols
Building, site, and jurisdictional rules

Technical Specifications
Establish acceptable materials, construction practices, and workmanship standards, including:

Minimum performance criteria
Technical data and testing requirements
Installation and application procedures

Specification Types
Prescriptive
Defines specific materials, products, and installation methods, including measurement

and quality criteria.
Performance-Based
Defines how the completed system must perform, allowing flexibility in means and

methods while enforcing outcomes.
Proprietary
Limits acceptable materials or systems to a single approved product when required

by project constraints.

Plans (Drawings)
Illustrative, annotated, and highly detailed drawings supplement the written specifications by clearly showing:

What work is required
Where it occurs
How assemblies are constructed

Drawings provide critical scale, dimensional, and take-off information used for pricing, bidding, and installation.
To avoid conflicts and costly errors, drawings prepared by multiple designers must be carefully coordinated. All documentation should be presented in a clear, logical sequence with consistency maintained across all plans and specifications.

Why Specifications Drive Construction Success

A coordinated, detailed drawing and specification set benefits owners, managers, consultants, and contractors by minimizing:

Ambiguity and misinterpretation
Pricing inaccuracies
Delays and unforeseen conditions
Disruptive change orders

Clear documentation promotes fair competition by allowing bidders to price the same scope—apples to apples—while reducing risk premiums built into contractor pricing.

Key Benefits Include:

More accurate and competitive bids
Reduced contractor risk and owner exposure
Fewer delays and disputes during construction

Archived specification documents also provide long-term value, serving as a permanent record of materials, assemblies, repairs, and maintenance requirements for future reference.

Early integration of specifications significantly reduces project risk and directly contributes to a positive overall outcome.

Designed for Success

Well-developed plans and specifications do more than support construction—they protect your investment.

Key Components Included:

Site and building conditions
Clearly defined scope of work
Demolition, alteration, and new construction requirements
Code compliance and certification requirements
Approved materials and construction methods
Contractor, subcontractor, and vendor responsibilities
Required quality and workmanship standards
Inspection and testing procedures
Specialized system documentation and maintenance guidance
Detailed drawings of existing and new assemblies
Scaled and dimensioned measurements for accurate quantification

Move with Confidence
Contact our team today to develop plans and specifications that eliminate uncertainty and set your project up for success—from day one.