The materials to be specified for general use, should be stated first in this way: ''All--not otherwise specified, to be This not only saves much repetition, but also gives a definite, stated material for minor places that otherwise would require long and tedious listing.
Accurate specifications save money to the Owner; but if too verbose, they may scare the bidder, and cause unnecessarily high estimates.
A simple description, giving as briefly as possible the correct idea to the builder, is likely to achieve a better result than a long treatise on what is recognized as good workmanship and material by any workman capable of undertaking the contract at all.
Words should be used in their most common sense, and if an expression indicates only a trade term for a certain locality, it should be so stated. "First quality," as a trade term, for example, may not mean the best in the market; "Extra No. 1" shingles are not so good as "Extra;" "6-cut" stone work may show many '"stuns" which would not appear if "Good 6-cut" were called for. If the Architect is not fully informed on these points, Ile should study more carefully the grades of materials being put into buildings, and how they appear on buildings where they have stood for some time. Visits to supply houses, mills, shops, and stone yards, will repay the time spent.
Such expressions as "best," "proper," "sufficient," etc., are capable of being :nterpreted in very different ways according to the point of view of a good or a poor workman.
It is often necessary, in order to save superfluous lettering on the drawings, and also because of lack of space, to use abbreviations in indicating material, etc. As these abbreviations differ in various localities, it is always necessary to insert in the specification a or list of abbreviations used and their meaning.
Each requirement should be so carefully written that there can be only one interpretation, leaving no doubt as to its true intent. If the specifier hopes to get better work through some hidden meaning in the specification, he is doomed to disappointment; for the more expensive interpretation will be used by the Contractor in making up his bid; and later, when the work is required, the Contractor may plead that, on account of the uncertainty of meaning, be should not be required to furnish any part without extra compensation. Make
the specification fair and honest, for it is the basis on which the Architect will stand as arbitrator during the progress of the work.
It should be remembered that it is the province of the workmen to comprehend and not to originate; and so the statement of what is to be constructed should be made very clear, leaving nothing to the imagination of the Contractor; a statement in the specification of what could be better shown on the drawings, is apt to be poorly comprehended by the builders. On the other hand, the Owner of the building is apt to think more of the specification, as he can under stand this more clearly than he can the drawings. There should be nothing, however, in the specification, or in any part of the work, to discourage originality, personal interest, and the exercise of judg ment on the part of the workmen, where these will not act contrary to the general scheme or the rapid progress of the work.
It should be stated and understood that every Contractor is to report any defect or discrepancy as soon as observed, to the Architect, and to lend his personal interest and attention to the best possible execution of the whole work.
The sets of specifications, as well as the drawings which they accompany, both on receiving estimates and when signed with the contract, must be kept unchanged, for reference. Later changes must be shown by other drawings and by Addenda to the original specifications.
Interlineations in a specification should not be made if there is time for rewriting. If made at the last moment, they should be signed individually at the time of signing the contract.
All changes after the specification is completed and the contract let, involving extra charges, should each have a complete descriptive specification written, referring to the general specification. This can be done in the form of a triplicate letter, of which one copy is sent to the Contractor, one copy to the Owner, and the third remains as the office memorandum, or is attached to the office copy of the specification.