FAQs
Scope FAQs
Explore some common scope related FAQ's.
Can you assist in value engineering processes if the project goes over budget, ensuring that design intent is maintained while finding cost-effective solutions?
We can assist in the value engineering process, through our network of suppliers and manufacturer contacts.
While the initial costs are clear, are there any hidden fees or potential additional charges that might come up during the engagement?
We maintain transparency in our pricing with no hidden fees, providing clear cost predictability from the outset. Anything outside of our scope can be priced as a lump sum variation or hourly rates where appropriate.
Can you provide referrals or testimonials from clients who had similar needs and project scales as ours?
Yes we can. Please see our website home page and get in contact with us for more as we are happy to provide them.
Do you offer continuous engagement, where you’re looped into project updates and can make real-time specification adjustments?
We offer ongoing engagement, and our cloud-based system tools allow real-time adjustments to specifications as needed throughout the project lifecycle.
Do you offer or recommend third-party verification of the specifications to ensure utmost accuracy and compliance?
We have proof readers in-house, but we always encourage clients to fully review the specifications prior to issuing to a third party. Third-party verification for an additional layer of accuracy and compliance assurance can be helpful depending on the project scale and documentation budget.
If we decide in the future to take specifications back in-house, how smooth is that transition? Do you provide any support or handover documentation?
Our goal is for our clients to be raving fans, and not want to take it back in-house, but we also understand it’s an important learning aspect for staff. If you choose to take specifications back in-house we can also assist in producing in-house documentation with comprehensive support and handover documentation.
While we know you specialise in specifications, are you familiar with the full spectrum of our industry – from innovative materials to emerging construction techniques?
Our team’s experience spans across the industry. We work closely with manufacturers to discover innovative materials and receive feedback on emerging construction techniques.
We have projects of varying scales – from small residential projects to large commercial ones. Can you cater to all these effectively?
Our services cater to projects of all scales from small residential to large commercial projects.
Can you provide examples or case studies where your services made a noticeable difference in a project’s outcome?
We can provide case studies and examples where our services have significantly contributed to the success of various organisations. Please get in contact and we are happy to discuss.
How future-proof are the specifications you provide? Will they stand the test of time, especially with rapidly evolving construction technologies?
We strive to create specifications that are robust and adaptable to future changes in technology and construction practices. Our baseline content is a live document that is regularly updated as new technologies emerge.
How steep is the learning curve for our team to adapt to your method of specification production?
Our methods are designed to be user-friendly with comprehensive support, minimising the learning curve for your team. Training can also be provided to the office as a whole, and our methodology agreed during project kick-off meetings.
How do we know that the specifications you provide align with the latest industry standards and materials available in the market?
Our team stays abreast of industry standards and materials, ensuring the specifications we provide are current and relevant, through the use of in-house proof readers and researchers.
General FAQs
Explore some common general FAQ's.
How do you handle conflicts that might arise between your specifications and other project documents or stakeholders’ preferences?
We actively engage in resolving conflicts between our specifications and other project documents or stakeholders’ preferences. We take a pragmatic approach and believe the person to do the job should be the person best suited to do it well.
Once a specification is finalized and the project begins, what’s the process for making updates or amendments based on onsite realities?
Updates can be made directly in the schedule or specification depending on our agreement and scope of services.
How do you ensure that our in-house team understands the specifications thoroughly, especially for complex projects?
The kick-off meeting we hold for each project is a thorough review of the entire project and items specified, so the team has a good understanding of what’s being specified. We explain the structure of the specification and query any gaps, but one can only fully understand the specification entirely by reading it.
In the event of discrepancies or issues arising from the specifications you provide, how do you handle crisis situations?
Our approach is designed to reduce discrepancies, but in such events we put our clients’ needs first and are committed to achieving a solution.
What’s the return on investment (ROI) when we use your services? How can we justify the cost to our stakeholders or higher management?
Our services enhance project efficiency, reduce errors, and improve quality, presenting a clear ROI through cost savings, reduced variations and better project outcomes.
Specifications aren’t just about technical details. They also need our personal touch and design philosophy. Can you incorporate that?
We understand each project has its own personality and collaborate closely with clients to incorporate their design philosophy and personal touch into our work.
We already have long-standing commitments or contracts with other consultants. How can we transition without disruption?
We can provide training to assist with change management and tailor our involvement to suit your requirements.
Systems FAQs
Explore some common system related FAQ's.
In cases where our budget is tight, how do you ensure the balance between cost-effective and high-quality specifications?
We strive to maintain a balance between cost-effectiveness and high-quality specifications, even in tight budget scenarios. This may be by reducing or limiting our services to share some responsibility to suit the documentation budget.
Can your specifications directly support and provide metrics for sustainability certifications like LEED, Green Star, or others?
We can provide specifications that support and offer metrics for sustainability certifications such as LEED or Green Star.
How do you handle intellectual property rights regarding the specifications you develop for us? Who retains the rights?
Intellectual property rights regarding the specifications are clearly defined in our agreements, respecting your ownership and rights.
How do your specifications cater to international projects and global standards?
Specification formats and standards vary depending on the region. Our team has international experience with British, American and European standards and formats.
Are your specifications custom-made for each project or do you start with a template? How do you balance standardization with customization?
Our specifications are a balance of customization and standardization, starting with a baseline template and then tailoring it to each project’s specific needs.
How do you incorporate feedback? If we have suggestions or revisions, how is that process managed?
Feedback and suggestions are always welcome to allow us to provide the best service we can. We have a structured feedback and commenting process, and any comments or mark-ups to the specification are addressed and reviewed.
How easy is it for contractors to understand and execute your specifications? Will there be a need for additional training or explanations?
Our specifications are clear and concise, making them easy for contractors to understand and implement without the need for additional training.
Our projects often involve local codes, regulations, and regional material preferences. Can you handle the localisation aspects of the specifications?
We can address local codes, regulations, and regional material preferences to ensure our specifications meet the project brief, through our relationships with Australian manufacturers.
How do you ensure that your specifications align with the latest sustainability and green building standards?
Our specifications are aligned with current sustainability and green building standards, and we consult with the project sustainability consultant as required to capture specific requirements.
Our projects often have unique nuances. How can you ensure your specifications will cater to those unique requirements?
We pay close attention to the unique aspects of each project, and with deliberate consultation we strive to understand any specific requirements.
Service FAQs
Explore some common service related FAQ's.
With the advent of emerging technologies like AI, or AR/VR in the design and construction realm, how do your services stay ahead?
We try and stay abreast of emerging technologies like AI and AR/VR, incorporating them into our services as appropriate.
Do you offer any post-project evaluation or feedback sessions to understand how the specifications played out in the real-world construction and what can be learned for future projects?
We offer post-project evaluation sessions to assess the real-world application of our specifications and learn for future projects. We appreciate feedback as it improves our service.
Do you have partnerships or affiliations with manufacturers or suppliers that could bias the specifications you provide?
Whilst we maintain industry partnerships, our specifications are unbiased and solely focused on the best outcomes for your project.
Will engaging your services require a lot of upfront input and time from our side to get you up to speed?
New approaches always require some adjustment, but our process is designed to minimize the initial input required from your side, with our team handling the majority of the groundwork.
Given the fast-paced nature of our projects, how available will you be for urgent queries or last-minute changes?
We are committed to being readily available and responsive to reasonable urgent needs and changes throughout the project.
Will your consulting approach mesh well with our company culture and our way of doing things?
Our approach is flexible and adaptable to align with different company cultures and methodologies.
If we commit, how flexible are you in terms of scaling services as our needs grow or change?
We offer scalable services, adapting to your growing and changing needs. Our services cover projects ranging from single dwellings to multi-site infrastructure developments.
Can your services be tailored specifically to our unique projects or are they one-size-fits-all?
We tailor our services to suit each project type, covering all sectors, and ensuring specifications meet the specific needs and standards of the project.
How will your documentation integrate with our existing design software?
Our systems are designed to be compatible with a range of design software.
How can we be sure that our designs, ideas, and project specifics will remain confidential?
We adhere to strict confidentiality agreements and take measures to ensure that all client data, designs, and intellectual property remain secure. Some projects also require us to sign a confidentiality agreement.
How much does your service cost?
Every project is different and we approach fees the same way. They’re calculated on a sliding scale based on project size, complexity, programme, service, and sustainability requirements. We view specifications as a capital outlay which can save your fees by reducing your workload, RFI’s and variations.
Process FAQs
Explore some common process related FAQ's.
How do your specifications handle substitutions? If a contractor proposes alternative materials or methods, how is this managed?
We have a clear process that outlines the contractor’s role for managing substitutions in the specifications, ensuring alternatives meet the project’s standards and intentions.
We may require varying levels of involvement across different projects. How flexible are your services to adapt to our changing needs?
Our service levels are flexible, adapting to different levels of involvement as needed across your projects. This may include scoping the project only, or our full consultancy service, or something in between.
If we’ve worked with you in the past, do you maintain and update the specifications based on newer standards or technologies for future projects?
For repeat clients, we update and refine specifications based on newer standards and technologies for future projects.
Once the project starts, will you be available for any clarifications or changes to the specifications as construction progresses?
We can provide ongoing support and clarifications. Ongoing specification updates during construction should be discussed and addressed in the fee request, or hourly rates may apply.
Beyond just providing specifications, can you assist in other parts of the project lifecycle, or would we need to engage other consultants for that?
Our primary focus is on integrating design with specifications. Our team has a diverse skillset so we can offer assistance where we can for other aspects of the project lifecycle and work collaboratively with consultants.
What’s the process for revisions or feedback? How often will we communicate, and will it be a smooth process?
We establish a clear communication plan with regular updates and a structured process for revisions and feedback to suit your requirements.
How can we ensure that there’s consistency in the specifications across multiple projects?
We ensure consistency in specifications across projects by maintaining a high standard of quality control and systematic review. Our specifications start from a template baseline, and we strive to retain consistency of our team members for repeat clients.
How quickly can you produce the specifications, especially when we have tight deadlines?
We’re committed to meeting tight deadlines, offering prompt service without compromising on quality. Whilst adequate notice is preferred, addressing last minute requests is standard operating procedure.
By outsourcing the specifications, are we relinquishing too much control over a critical aspect of our projects?
Clients maintain control over critical aspects and design decisions. We offer support, staff training and our expertise to enhance and simplify the process, not replace your decision-making.