In the construction industry, many people live and die by their specification review. This is why it’s so shocking when we run into potential clients who let us take a look at their spec only to find that they have many things that can be changed for the better.

We have several members in our Architectural Door and Hardware Solutions department that are experts at specification reviews and I’ve talked with them to get to know a little bit about what makes a really good spec and some of the mistakes that can be easily avoided.

Things to Avoid on Your Specification Review

The Lack of Specification

If you’re in the retail industry, I’d be willing to bet you specify your paint colors, your lighting, and a plethora of other things. But,you would be amazed how many people we meet who don’t have a spec for their doors and locks!

Many people are under the impression that they don’t needs specs for certain hardware because they assume the general contractor will just install whatever is needed.

This couldn’t be further from the truth.

While your general contractor might think he has your best interests in mind, it’s always better for you to to personally double check your specifications and make sure everything is accounted for.

Like for Like

If you haven’t done a lot of research, “like for like” might seem like the best way to go. You’re getting a product identical to yours for a cheaper price, right?

Wrong.

Just because something qualifies as a “like” for another part, doesn’t have anything to do with the quality of the product. With hardware grades, a random grade two hardware doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to stand up to the best grade two hardware on the market. It’s always best to go in and directly specify exactly what you want. This way everyone is on the same page and surprises are minimal.

Don’t Skimp on Details

Always check your work.

We’ve heard that since grade school and it remains true. Please double check your specs and make sure you’ve specified all of the parts for each opening.

I can’t tell you how many specification reviews we’ve seen with missing parts. It might not seem like it could happen to you but it can. There are so many parts to each piece of hardware and it’s important to specify each and every one.

Do you have a spec you’d like us to take a look at? Contact us today! We have several experts standing by that are ready to answer any questions you might have!