Services

Preparing your project specifications (Outline / Tender) backed up with experienced consultancy advice

Outsourcing your project specifications to SpecStudio allows you to benefit from our extensive experience of preparing detailed specifications for Architects across virtually every industry sector on projects around the globe. Our experts ensure that the specification is tailored to suit the project procurement, design responsibility, sustainability requirements and that your drawings cover the correct level of information.

We can prepare your specifications at any stage of the design process, usually either at Outline or Tender stage, in multiple formats (CAWS, Uniclass, CSI) to suit the project and regional requirements.

SpecStudio can help you navigate a migration to Uniclass 2015, having built up significant project experience and expertise to ensure that there is no compromise in content or quality of the specification output.

Outsourcing no longer means that you are not in control of the Specification. We can collaborate seamlessly using cloud-based software. Should you subscribe to NBS Chorus, our experts can write your specifications in your own workspace, allowing you to retain in a digital editable format and make edits as you wish.

Audit your existing specifications/approach & report

If you are happy preparing your own Specifications, but would like an independent review of them to check they are robust, accurate and aligned with the contract / procurement, then our Specification Review service is for you.

This cost efficient service provides a structured review of your documents with a written report summarising the recommendations.

Building & maintaining your in-house specification masters

Many practices aspire to having their own in-house capability to prepare project specifications but lack either the resource, knowledge or time to develop and maintain such a team.

Our experts can build your ‘office masters’ for you, compiled from a mix of your own experience combined with our industry leading knowledge and content. These are then yours to own and use on your projects moving forward.

These master specifications can then be linked to your in-house BIM objects, to provide an efficient starting point on any project. If you then need help delivering the project specifications, we can be on hand as your dedicated resource when required, or help maintain it for future robustness.

Help improve your staff’s knowledge to prepare better specifications

At SpecStudio, we believe in sharing our knowledge to improve Architects understanding of how to prepare better quality Specifications.

We offer structured training to your teams, ranging from high level introductory sessions and CPD’s, to specific modules for advanced learning on individual topics.

Providing support with BIM adoption

With BIM maturity now becoming ever more paramount in our industry, SpecStudio can help guide you on the correct path. From ensuring your in-house documentation meets industry standards and requirements, to how you can integrate software modelling templates to allow for a fluid alignment against base naming conventions. A robust template leads to improved productivity of information. We can offer reviews and advice on your software template and look for efficiencies where information could be automated.

Specification and model integration

In the modern age of digital construction, it’s essential to have data linked together to form a coherent and collaborative approach. At SpecStudio we can create your specifications and offer training to integrate the information into your model. There are two main paths to link the specification to your software; a .txt file or NBS Chorus’ live model link add-in tool. Both have their value based on your approach and project requirements, which we can tailor to your specific needs.

We can up-skill your in-house team to create a live link between NBS Chorus or integration of a .txt file.

This will aid the smooth transition between the tagging of 3D and 2D items in either a Uniclass or CAWS working environment.

Providing specifications reflective of a project’s sustainability aspirations

Within the construction industry, sustainability is very much at the forefront of everything we do, and specifications are no different. They are key documents to aid in reinforcing a project’s sustainability ambitions and goals.

Our consultants have worked on projects that have been certified under various sustainability schemes such as BREEAM, LEED, WELL, Estidama, Green Star and NABERS. We are able to support in the research of materials and products for compliance with sustainability goals, such as VOC limits and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).

To aid in this research, we work closely with one of our key collaborators, 2050 Materials. They are on a mission to democratise sustainability data in the built environment. Their free-to-access platform holds the largest database with structured sustainability data on building products in Europe, and the specifiers page is a great tool to help enable users design, specify and compare products.

We are experienced in working on various refurbishment and retro-fit schemes, and understand design and client aspirations for salvaging, repurposing and recycling materials, and how to document these requirements.

We have developed tools and documents to supplement the specifications and aid in monitoring and tracking of sustainability criteria against specified systems, products and materials

Sustainability and retro-fit is a passion of ours, and we enjoy supporting design teams in helping them achieve their sustainability goals.

Helping manufacturers provide suitable specifications

In our role as specification consultants, we have worked closely with global manufacturers for many years.

Helping them provide design teams with suitable specifications and product information, we serve as an essential link between design process and construction reality.

Our experience, feedback and support can also help manufacturers create suitable product information that can be provided to the NBS for download by specifiers.

Helping fledgling practices with running the ‘business’

Having robust procedures and processes is essential to the successful running of every Architect’s practice. However, many small to medium-sized practices that have often sprung up out of ambitious individuals wanting to leave a larger organisation to be in control of their own destiny, operate using limited resources and knowledge of actually what systems and procedures are really needed to run a successful and profitable practice.

Having worked with and for Architects for over 20 years, SpecStudio can help practices ‘tighten up’ their current business practises by providing our Practice Management consultancy service, covering aspects such as:
Commercial Aspects
• Contract / Appointment / Sub-Consultant review
• Fee Proposals / T&C’s / Risk & PI Insurance
• Scope of services
• Design Responsibility Matrix
• Management of variations
• Resource management / Overheads
• Project fees v costs
• Managing fees & debtors
• Systems & processes