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OWNER BUILDER COACH | SEMINARS | DOWN HOME RADIO | HOME BUILDING GUIDE

It is the ability to choose that makes us human. - Madeleine L'Engle

Specifications are a written document for organizing the graphic information depicted on the Drawings. All the construction details are shown on Drawings as they relate to one another, with no attempt to separate diverse materials. It is the Specifications that break down the interrelated information shown on Drawings into organized, technical sections so Trade Contractors and Suppliers are more able to identify the work to be performed. Since they are written instructions, Specifications are frequently adjudged by the courts as having greater importance than Drawings when these documents are in conflict, and judgments are frequently resolved on the basis of the Specifications.

Some valuable resources for decision making are the numerous trade, professional, and consumer organizations that establish construction standards and will provide product specifications or installation information to the general public as well as their membership.

Consumer Reports Online is the Web's source of unbiased information about products and services based on testing conducted in their extensive state-of-the-art laboratories. The site offers two levels of access. Visitors can get solid consumer advice for free. Paid site subscribers have access to exclusive product and service Ratings and recommendations. You can subscribe for $4.95 per month, or $26.00 for a full year. (Or Consumer Reports magazine subscribers can have full access to Consumer Reports Online for just $19 per year.)

As you develop written specifications for your home design and building project, these product search engines will be very helpful for locating manufacturers and/or determining industry standards:

These information resources are helpful to the consumer and professional alike. The resources are organized chronological by phases of work as they may occur during the build sequence.

Sitework and Civil Engineering

Concrete Foundation and Flatwork Installation

Frame Structures

Roofing Materials and Installation

Door and Window Installation and Maintenance

Plumbing Installation and Maintenance

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration

Geothermal (Ground Source) Technology

Electrical Installation and Maintenance

specifications

Insulation Installation and Energy Performance

Hardwood Floor Installation and Maintenance

Floor Coverings

Gypsum Wallboard Installation

Paint & Stain Preparation, Installation and Maintenance

Bath and Kitchen Remodeling

Cabinet and Millwork Installation and Maintenance

Landscape Installation and Maintenance

General and Specialty Contractors

Tools and Hardware

Television Shows

Working in combination, these informational resources provide consumers with a very integrated approach to remodeling or new home construction project by collaborating with the building community. The homebuilding experience is as much about developing relationships with people you know and trust as it is about creating a home style to match your life style.

REMEMBER: Every region has special geological, biological, and meteorological conditions which must be taken into consideration when writing Specifications. For instance, in some regions radon gas emits naturally from geological formations, and will enter your home through the soil below the foundation. Special ventilation will be required to rid your home of this gas. Another example would be hurricanes or tornadoes which may be part of your region's regular weather pattern; if so, extreme wind forces will be placed on your home. The foundation and roof assembly will require additional hardware for a positive, uniform connection.

Pay attention to natural phenomena affecting Design/Build considerations and consult your local Building Department during Design Development.

Specs are the engine that drives the home building vehicle!

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