A construction specification is organized in 16 work Divisions which are broken down in numbered Sections roughly according to the trades that will be performing the work and the general order of the construction process. Specific information is added to this format to create a Technical Specification that becomes part of the Contract Documents (although that rarely happens on a house project) but it can be adapted by a designer or owner to create a design outline/checklist sometimes called an Outline Specification. If the format indentations don't survive the Garden Web posting, I can give it to you you as an Excel spreadsheet. If you intend to give it to a builder or estimator you should try to retain the order of the divisions and sections. DIVISION 1 - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 01100 - SUMMARY Summary of Work Work Restrictions Existing Building(s) Project Utility Sources 01300 - ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS Project Management and Coordination Construction Progress Documentation Submittal Procedures Special Procedures 01400 - QUALITY REQUIREMENTS Regulatory Requirements Reference Standards Quality Assurance Quality Control Submittals Required 01500 - TEMPORARY FACILITIES AND CONTROLS Temporary Utilities Construction Facilities Temporary Construction Vehicular Access and Parking Temporary Barriers and Enclosures Temporary Controls Signs Removal of Temporary Facilities, Utilities, and Controls 01600 - PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS Basic Product Requirements Product Options Owner-Furnished Product Procedures Product Submittals Required Product Delivery Requirements Product Storage and Handling Requirements 01700 - EXECUTION REQUIREMENTS Examination Preparation Execution Penetrating Items Remodeling Existing Work Cutting and Patching Demolition Cleaning Starting Equipment and Systems Protecting Installed Construction 01780 - CLOSEOUT SUBMITTALS Operation and Maintenance Data Warranties DIVISION 2 - SITE CONSTRUCTION Subsurface Investigation Geotechnical Investigations Subsurface Drilling and Sampling Material Testing Exploratory Excavations 02200 - SITE PREPARATION Clearing & Grubbing Benchmarks Soil stripping & stockpiling Tree Protection Demolition 02300 - EARTHWORK Materials for earthwork Soils Aggregates Geosynthetics Geotextiles Geomembranes Geogrids Concrete Earth Moving Radon Mitigation Rough Grading Finish Grading Excavation Trenching Rock Removal Fill Backfill Compaction Flowable fill Geofoam Erosion and Sedimentation Controls Riprap Shoring & Underpinning 02500 - UTILITY SERVICES Pipes Sump Pumps Manholes Lift Stations Lighting Poles and Standards Utility Poles 02600 - DRAINAGE AND CONTAINMENT Catch Basins Manholes Pipes Culverts Decorative Grates 02700 - BASES, BALLASTS, PAVEMENTS, AND APPURTENANCES Bituminous Concrete Pavement Concrete Pavement Unit Pavers Athletic and Recreational Surfaces 02800 - SITE IMPROVEMENTS AND AMENITIES Irrigation System Fountain Equipment Fences Chain Link Fences Ornamental Metal Fences Wood Fences Modular Concrete Retaining Walls Walk, Road, and Parking Appurtenances Site Furnishings Recreational and Athletic Equipment 02900 - PLANTING Topsoil Soil Amendment Soil Amendments Fertilizer Mulch Sod Grass Seed Plants Accessories Plant Maintenance Turf Maintenance DIVISION 3 - CONCRETE 03300 - CAST-IN-PLACE CONCRETE Formwork Reinforcement Concrete Materials Concrete Placing and Finishing Concrete Curing 03400 - PRECAST CONCRETE Standards Formwork Reinforcement Concrete Materials Connection Materials Concrete Fabrication 03500 - CEMENTITIOUS DECKS AND UNDERLAYMENT Cementitious Roof Deck Lightweight Concrete Roof Insulation Cementitious Underlayment 03600 - GROUTS Cement Grout Nonshrink Grout, Metallic Type Nonshrink Grout, Nonmetallic Type Epoxy Grout DIVISION 4 - MASONRY 04050 - BASIC MASONRY MATERIALS AND METHODS Masonry Mortar Masonry Grout Anchorage and Reinforcement Materials Masonry Joint Reinforcement Reinforcing Steel Masonry Anchors Veneer Anchors and Wall Ties Stone Anchors and Devices Throughwall Flashing, metals Throughwall Flashing, flexible Preformed Control Joints Building Paper Weeps Cavity Vents 04200 - MASONRY UNITS Face Brick Building Brick Brick for Interior of Fireplaces Load-Bearing Concrete Block Non-Loadbearing Concrete Block Decorative Concrete Block Concrete Brick, Solid Veneer Units Glass Block Fire-Rated Glass Block Structural Clay Facing Tile Load-Bearing Structural Clay Tile Non-Load-Bearing Structural Clay Tile Structural Clay Screen Tile 04400 - STONE Limestone Marble Travertine Granite Slate Sandstone 04500 - REFRACTORIES Clay Flue Lining 04800 - MASONRY ASSEMBLIES Single-Wythe Walls Brick Veneer on Stud Wall Back-Up Other Cavity Walls Vertical Reinforcement Coursing, Bonding, and Anchoring Glass Unit Masonry Cut Stone Veneer Stone Masonry Work Masonry Flashings Grouting Control and Expansion Joints 04900 - MASONRY RESTORATION AND CLEANING Masonry Rebuilding Cleaning Existing Masonry Repointing DIVISION 5 - METALS 05100 - STRUCTURAL METAL FRAMING Structural Steel 05200 - METAL JOISTS Steel Joists 05300 - METAL DECK Steel Floor Deck Steel Roof Deck 05400 - COLD-FORMED METAL FRAMING Load-Bearing Metal Studs Cold-Formed Metal Joists 05500 - METAL FABRICATIONS Metal Stairs Pipe Railings Gratings Stair Treads, Nosings, and Thresholds Other Fabricated Items 05700 - ORNAMENTAL METAL Aluminum Railings Stainless Steel Railings DIVISION 6 - WOOD AND PLASTICS 06100 - ROUGH CARPENTRY Lumber Standards Concealed Dimension Lumber Exposed Dimension Lumber Timbers Boards Construction Panels Accessories Wood Treatment 06200 - FINISH CARPENTRY Standards Softwood Lumber Interior Hardwood Standing and Running Trim Stairs and Railings Hardwood Plywood Paneling Fire Retardant Treatment Fasteners Fabrication Finishing 06400 - ARCHITECTURAL WOODWORK Custom Cabinets Countertops 06600 - PLASTIC FABRICATIONS Glass Fiber and Resin Fabrications Cast Plastic Fabrications DIVISION 7 - THERMAL AND MOISTURE PROTECTION 07100 - DAMPPROOFING AND WATERPROOFING Dampproofing Sheet Waterproofing Fluid-Applied Waterproofing Protection Course Protection and Drainage Course 07200 - THERMAL PROTECTION Insulation Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS) Vapor Retarder Air Barrier 07300 - SHINGLES, ROOF TILES, AND ROOF COVERINGS Asphalt Shingles, glass fiber Asphalt Shingles, organic Wood Shingles Wood Shakes Clay Roof Tiles Concrete Roof Tiles Metal Roof Tiles/Shingles Mineral Fiber Cement Shingles Slate Shingles Underlayment 07400 - ROOFING AND SIDING PANELS Aluminum Siding Steel Siding PVC Siding Wood Board Siding Fiber Cement Siding Panel Siding Soffit Panels 07500 - MEMBRANE ROOFING Membrane Roofing on Essentially "Flat" Roofs Built-Up Bituminous Roofing Built-Up Bituminous Roofing Elastomeric Membrane Roofing Modified Bituminous Roofing Vapor Retarder 07600 - FLASHING AND SHEET METAL Galvanized Steel Sheet Aluminum Sheet Copper Sheet Stainless Steel Sheet Lead Sheet Sheet Metal Roofing Sheet Metal Gutters and Downspouts Plastic Gutters and Downspouts Sheet Metal Flashing and Trim Sheet Metal Roofing Specialties Flexible Flashing Underlayment Fabrication and Installation 07700 - ROOF SPECIALTIES AND ACCESSORIES Roof Hatches 07800 - FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION Applied Fireproofing Firestopping 07900 - JOINT SEALERS Exterior Joint Sealers Interior Sealers DIVISION 8 - DOORS AND WINDOWS 08050 - BASIC DOOR AND WINDOW MATERIALS AND METHODS Fire-Rated Doors and Frames Preassembled Door and Frame Units 08100 - METAL DOORS AND FRAMES Steel Doors and Frames Sliding Patio Doors Sliding Metal Doors and Grilles Screen and Storm Doors 08200 - WOOD AND PLASTIC DOORS Wood-Veneered Flush Wood Doors Metal-Faced Wood Doors Plastic Laminate-Faced Wood Doors Stile-and-Rail Wood Doors Wood Door Frames Solid Plastic Doors Medium Density Fiberboard doors Sliding Patio Doors Storm and Screen Doors 08300 - SPECIALTY DOORS Coiling Doors Coiling Grilles Sliding Grilles Folding Doors and Grilles Sectional Overhead Doors Vertical Lift Doors 08500 - WINDOWS Windows Greenhouse Windows Jalousie Windows Special Function Windows Security Window Screens 08600 - SKYLIGHTS Unit Skylights Metal-Framed Skylights 08700 - HARDWARE General Requirements Keys Hinges Butt Hinges Pivot Hinges Continuous Geared Hinges Concealed/Invisible Hinges Sliding Door Hardware Locks and Latches Cylindrical (bored) Locksets Mortise Locksets Interconnected Deadbolt/Locksets Auxiliary Deadlocks and Deadlatches Pushbutton Locks Alarm Egress Locks Padlocks Magnetic Locks Electric Strikes Strikes Electrical Lock Actuators Flushbolts Miscellaneous Bolts and Latches Surface Mounted Closers Combination Closer/Holders Door Stops Door Holders Coordinators Protective Hardware Push And Pull Hardware Astragals for Fire-Rated Doors Sound and Light Seals Weatherstripping for Swinging Doors Thresholds Window Hardware Door Accessories Hardware Specified Elsewhere 08800 - GLAZING Insulating Glass Float Glass Safety Glazing Wired Glass Glazing Accessories Exterior Glazing Sealant Structural Glazing Sealant Interior Glazing Sealant DIVISION 9 - FINISHES 09200 - PLASTER AND GYPSUM BOARD Furring and Lathing Gypsum Plaster Portland Cement Plaster Fiberglass reinforced concrete backer boards Plaster Accessories Gypsum Board Glass Mat Water-Resistant Gypsum Backing Panel Gypsum Board Assemblies Gypsum Board Accessories 09300 - TILE Tile Special Mortar Bond Coat Adhesive Grout Accessories 09400 - TERRAZZO General Requirements Portland Cement Terrazzo Precast Terrazzo Epoxy Terrazzo Polyacrylate Terrazzo 09500 - CEILINGS Grid-Supported Acoustical Ceilings Adhesive Applied Acoustical Tile Ceilings Linear Metal Ceilings 09600 - FLOORING Stone Flooring Brick Flooring Hardwood Flooring Resilient Sheet Flooring Resilient Tile Flooring Resilient Stair Accessories Resilient Base Carpet Carpet Tile 09700 - WALL FINISHES Vinyl Wall Covering Fabric Wall Covering Wallpaper Wood Veneer Wall Covering 09800 - ACOUSTICAL TREATMENT Steel-Faced Panels Fiberboard Panels Cloth-Covered Fiberglass Panels Aluminum-Framed Panels 09900 - PAINTS AND COATINGS Materials Interior Opaque Coating Systems Interior Transparent Coating Systems Exterior Opaque Coating Systems Exterior Transparent Coating Systems DIVISION 10 - SPECIALTIES 10100 - VISUAL DISPLAY BOARDS Erasable Boards Tack Boards 10200 - LOUVERS AND VENTS Stationary Louvers Stationary Acoustical Louvers Operable Louvers Grilles Door Louvers Wall Vents Soffit Vents 10240 - GRILLES AND SCREENS Aluminum Grilles Stainless Steel Grilles Wood Grilles Plastic Grilles 10300 - FIREPLACES AND STOVES Stoves Prefabricated Fireplaces 10350 - FLAGPOLES Outrigger Flagpoles Vertical Wall Mount Flagpoles Flagpole Configuration 10530 - PROTECTIVE COVERS Awnings 10670 - STORAGE SHELVING Metal Storage Shelving 10700 - EXTERIOR PROTECTION Sun Control Devices Insulation Panels Shutters Storm Panels 10800 - TOILET, BATH, AND LAUNDRY ACCESSORIES Accessories Grab Bars Tub/Shower Doors 10900 - WARDROBE AND CLOSET SPECIALTIES Hat and Coat Racks Wire Closet Shelving DIVISION 11 - EQUIPMENT 11130 - AUDIO-VISUAL EQUIPMENT Front Projection Screens Rear Projection Screens Projectors and Projector Accessories 11400 - FOOD SERVICE EQUIPMENT See Schedule of Equipment on drawings. Fabricated Stainless Steel Equipment Appliances and Powered Equipment Exhaust Hoods Accessory Equipment Sealant 11450 - RESIDENTIAL EQUIPMENT Kitchen Appliances Laundry Equipment DIVISION 12 - FURNISHINGS 12400 - FURNISHINGS AND ACCESSORIES Horizontal Louver Blinds Vertical Louver Blinds Shades Shutters Curtain Tracks 12600 - MULTIPLE SEATING Fixed Seating, with self-rising seats Fixed Seating, one-piece DIVISION 13 - SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION 13000 - PREFABRICATED PRE-ENGINEERED ASSEMBLIES General Requirements Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings Pre-Engineered Glazed Structures Saunas Steam Rooms 13100 - LIGHTNING PROTECTION System Design Main Ground (Down) and Bonding Conductors Strike (Air) Terminals Ground Terminals Ground Terminals Ground Terminal Bonding Plates 13200 - STORAGE TANKS Aboveground Storage Tanks Underground Storage Tanks 13700 - SECURITY ACCESS AND SURVEILLANCE Security Access and Surveillance System Access/Entry Controller Video Surveillance Control Keyless Entry Devices Door Status Monitoring Devices Remotely Operated Locks Request to Exit Devices Video Cameras Video Recording Equipment Wiring 13850 - DETECTION AND ALARM Fire Alarm And Smoke Detection System Fire Alarm/Smoke Detection Control Panel Fire Alarm/Smoke Detection Annunciator Panel Fire/Smoke Detectors and Alarm Devices 13900 - FIRE SUPPRESSION Fire Pumps Wet-Pipe Fire Suppression Sprinklers Dry-Pipe Fire Suppression Sprinklers Deluge Fire Suppression Sprinklers Preaction Fire Suppression Sprinklers Standpipes and Hoses DIVISION 14 - CONVEYING SYSTEMS 14100 - DUMBWAITERS Electric/Traction Dumbwaiters Hydraulic Dumbwaiters Manual Dumbwaiters Maintenance Service 14200 - ELEVATORS Electric/Traction Passenger Elevators Electric/Traction Freight/Service/HospitalElevators Hydraulic Passenger Elevators Maintenance Service 14300 - ESCALATORS AND MOVING WALKS Escalators Moving Walks Maintenance Service 14400 - LIFTS Vertical Wheelchair Lifts Inclined Wheelchair Lifts Inclined Stairway Chairlifts Maintenance Service DIVISION 15 - MECHANICAL 15100 - BUILDING SERVICES PIPING Information for Specific Systems Field Testing 15105 - PIPES AND TUBES ABS Pipe ABS/PVC Composite Pipe Brass Pipe Cast Iron Pipe Concrete Pipe Copper Pipe Copper Tube CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) Pipe Ductile Iron Pipe Fiberglass Reinforced Pipe Glass Pipe PB (Polybutylene) Pipe PB (Polybutylene) Tube PE (Polyethylene) Pipe PE/AL (Polyethylene/aluminum) Composite Pipe PP (Polypropylene) Pipe PVC Pipe Steel Pipe Vitrified Clay Pipe 15110 - VALVES Gate Valves Globe Valves Ball Valves Butterfly Valves Drain Valves Pressure Reducing Valves Temperature and Pressure Relief Valves 15120 - PIPING SPECIALTIES Unions Strainers Automatic Air Vents Eliminating Air Tanks Bladder Type Expansion Tanks Plain Steel Expansion Tanks Backwater Valves Reduced Pressure Backflow Preventers Water Hammer Arrestors and Air Chambers Cleanouts Air Gap Fittings Traps Floor Drains Roof Drains 15180 - HEATING AND COOLING PIPING Pumps Heating Water Piping Condensate Piping Chilled Water Piping Condenser Piping Refrigerant Piping Overflows and Equipment Drain Piping 15190 - FUEL PIPING Fuel Oil Pipe Materials Liquid Petroleum Pipe Materials Natural Gas Pipe Materials Liquid Petroleum and Natural Gas Specialties 15400 - PLUMBING FIXTURES AND EQUIPMENT Water Closets, flush valve type Water Closets, tank type Toilet Seats Flush Valves Bidets Urinals Lavatories Lavatory Fittings Lavatory Faucets Kitchen Sinks Kitchen Sink Fittings Bathtubs Shower Stalls Shower Receptors Tub and Shower Faucets Drinking Fountains Water Coolers Utility (Mop or Janitor's) Sink Utility Sink Faucets Hose Bibbs Washing Machine Valves Refrigerator Valves Fixture Anchorage Fixture Installation Clearances In-Line Circulator Pumps Water Pressure Booster Sewage Ejectors Sump Pumps Water Heaters Water Supply Tanks Temperature and Pressure Relief Valves 15500 - HEAT-GENERATION EQUIPMENT Boilers Boiler Feedwater Pumps Deaerator Furnaces Gas Vents Double-Walled Stack Insulated Double-Walled Stack Single Wall Stack 15700 - HEATING, VENTILATING, AND AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT Air Handlers Packaged Rooftop Units Custom Rooftop Units Air-Source Heat Pump Rooftop Unit Water-Source Heat Pump Rooftop Unit Packaged Terminal Air-Conditioners (PTAC) Humidity Control Equipment Terminal Heating and Cooling Units Energy Recovery Units 15800 - AIR DISTRIBUTION Ductwork Fans Air Terminals Diffusers, Registers, and Grilles Air Filters 15900 - HVAC INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROLS System Type DIVISION 16 - ELECTRICAL 16050 - BASIC ELECTRICAL MATERIALS AND METHODS Conform to requirements of NFPA 70. 16100 - WIRING METHODS Conductors And Cables Raceways And Boxes Wiring Devices 16200 - ELECTRICAL POWER Electrical Utility Service Generator Assemblies Battery Equipment Static Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) Medium Voltage Pad-Mounted Transformers Unit Power Conditioners Power Measurement and Control 16400 - LOW-VOLTAGE DISTRIBUTION 16500 - LIGHTING Interior Luminaires Exterior Luminaires 16700 - COMMUNICATIONS Telephone Circuits Data Circuits Voice and Data Circuit Materials Television Equipment 16800 - SOUND AND VIDEO Music Systems Video Systems END This post was edited by Renovator8 on Wed, Apr 24, 13 at 11:58

Thank you all for the support with this drama. I need it. So this KD's list of changes say only this for the countertop: "MAKE ALL NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS TO C/TOPS IN KITCHEN". So I wrote back, saying this leaves way too much open for interpretation. I would like specifics in writing, for both of our sakes and the builders'. Such as, the countertop overhang will be even throughout with up to 1/8th inch variance (now it's anywhere from 7/8ths to 1 3/8ths). And, the overhang will be a minimum of 1 1/4th inches, for example. Things we should have had in the first place, and what I wanted and requested, but they went ahead and did their own thing. Her response: "We will make adjustments as necessary. Please just let me take care of this, and I'm sure you'll be satisfied with the final results." What???!! I contacted the builder, who said, " I was assured they are addressing your concerns so we will move on to things we need to do at this time." The builder has been cc'd on the email exchange above, but has remained silent on whether they think it is a good idea for the countertop company to actually specify what they are going to do. kirkhall, countertops and cabinets are already paid for, unfortunately. If this wasn't through a builder, I never would have paid for work 100% in advance. Also, I asked for specs and design in advance, several times, and never got them. loves2read, we went through several of their houses early on, but none recently and I don't remember the countertops. I'm pretty sure if we asked now to go through a few houses, they'd know exactly what we were after. I've tried to find some pictures of laminate clipped corners online and was having some difficulties finding good pictures. So the way it is going is that the countertop people told the builder they would fix it, and the builder said "okay good", and that was that. I am the one asking for how exactly and specifically they plan to "fix" it. Autumn, I thought 1.5" was industry standard too, and I think it is for granite. Laminate though seems to vary, and some places really do 1", although that makes no sense to me and I don't think it looks very good w/ full overlay doors. I called Home Depot and they said usually they do 1" overhang-- 25 inch counters. So I fear I may be stuck with the 1" overhang if they do manage to make it even. I try to get everything in writing, but the agreement on 1.5" was verbal, and she is claiming she never said it now. Which is why I did request the design template, which she didn't give me. ANYWAY, I feel you Autumn all the way as I am very detail-oriented too. It is really hard for me as well to let go, and I am especially hard on myself when I think I picked the wrong thing or let something go that I wished I hadn't, ect. And you DO have a gorgeous house. :-) Isn't perfection the enemy of good? The pursuit of perfection is also the enemy of happiness, in my opinion. Though I do it anyway.... The builder has been really good about fixing other sub mistakes. It is this KD, who is in charge of cabinets and countertops, who I've had issues with since the beginning. The builder's manager, who is our primary contact point, seems to be pretty good friends with her. And there is the issue right there. And why my battle is probably a losing one. But just venting and having your empathetic "ears" has been so very helpful. Thank you so much.

Walrus, A really good way to get a quick indication about whether or not your windows are properly installed is look at them from the outside. If the reveal (gap between the sash and frame) is not nice and even all the way around there is probably a problem. Also, if the reveal is nice and even go ahead and open the window. Does it operate smoothly? When you close it does the reveal still look even? It should really only take you a short time to assess them this way. You also should see your installer looking at the same thing while they are installing your new windows.

Grande - I'm not promoting Pella at all I'm just offering my opinion as someone who has used them and from contractors I've spoken to. To say they are garbage is contrary to what I have experienced and heard, of course there are better windows and there are also personal preferences involved. However I would bet that you are a window salesman and your comments should have that disclosure so people can understand what your motive is. Comparing JW to Pella is laughable...just look at the comments on this thread. I also steer clear of anyone stating something as fact...with no eveidence to support their "facts". "Anyone in windows knows this, it's a fact" is a very adolescent type comment. If you don't like Pella fine, you're entitled to your opinion, but try to state reasons other than obscure comments packed with innuendos. I am not saying Pella are the best windows, I'm saying they are decent and in my opinion I would use them over JW just from a support perspective. I don't know the other windows you suggested but I did say there are many local manufacturers that offer good alternatives...perhaps those are but I personally don't know.