The Washington herald., 1922-05-07
WITHOUT EFFICIENT
SET, Home BUILDER
WASTES HIS MONEY
Impossible to Have All
Details on Group
Of Plans.
PRE- SENTS ITEMS
Detailed Information on
Specifications Make Build
ing Easier.

design a plan he prepares the
builders make is to attempt to
erect a home without a complete
set OF specifications. No matter
whether your home is small or
large, you cannot afford to take
chances unless you are willing to
pay more for your home than you
should. Specifications will assist
In saving your money. They take
the guesswork out of building.
The reason specifications are
used in home building is because
they supplement your plans and
take up your building operation
where your plans leave off. In
other words, IL is impossible to
describe every detail of your home
building operation on set of
plans. Plans give dimensions,
sizes, etc. but they do OF describe
the quality and grades of mate
rials. methods of installation.
types and kinds OF equipment, all
of which should be incorporated in
a specification or written agree
ment with your contractor.
Specifications Save Your Dollars.
A specification is an ironclad un-
derstanding, in specific terms. of
what you expect from your con-
tractor and what he expects from
you.
when an architect is employed to
design a plan he prepares the
Specifications in consultation with
the owner. Specifications are not
only necessary in home building be-
cause OF the detailed information
they give. but they are essential as
o medium of understanding be-
twee the contractor and home
builder, thus preventing discussion
and controversies as the Job pro-
ceeds. without specifications you
are very apt to run into extras"
and changes. These things cost
money. Therefore. II you are in
terested in saving your home. build
Ing dollars be sure that you pro-
vide yourself with this valuable
document.
when signed specification
amounts to contract between
your builder and yourself. 1t sets
forth the general conditions of the
contract and includes such items as
form OF bids, rejection of bids. su-
pervision. materials. labor, appli-
ances, separate contracts, protec-
tion of work and property. changes
in the work, payments. liens. use
os premises, cleaning up, deliveries
and arbitration.
what Specification Includes.
A specification properly prepared
is legal document. Because il is
legal IL gives you protection il for
sny reason II should become nee
essary to take your home building
operation into the courts for de-
cision.
Specifications describe the kind
of material. the grade the quality
and form Of workmanship. For ex-
ample: II you propose to use
hardwood floors. your specifications
should state the kind of floor,
quality and grade. If you desire
enamel finish throughout the house
your specifications should state the
number of coats and standard you
prefer.
When subcontracts are let speci-
hcations are prepared covering
these also Frequently the general
bid includes subcontracts In this
event specifications for subcon-
tracts are included in the general
specification.
In the last analysis, il you hope
to eliminate waste. if you want to
avoid discussions and trouble, don't
fail to provide yourself with speci-
fcations for every contract on your
Job.