Search construction specifications for the requirement you need
Construction specifications define the quality of the work: which products and manufacturers are acceptable, what performance they must meet, how they are installed and what testing and submittals prove it. Each section usually follows a general, products and execution structure. Upload the specification sections, whether issued as Word files or PDFs, ask about a product or requirement in plain language, and open the cited section to read it in full.
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Last updated October 2026
How to read specifications with Search+
- Upload the specification sections and addenda
Add the sections that cover your work plus Division 01 and every addendum. Requirements in Division 01 often apply to every technical section.
- Set your focus in Workspace Context
Write a standing instruction such as "Focus on products, substitutions and submittals for our scope; mention when Division 01 adds requirements." It is applied to every question in the workspace.
- Ask by product or requirement
Ask what is specified for a product, which manufacturers are listed and whether substitutions are allowed. Answers cite the section and article when the document numbers them.
Questions about specifications
What products and manufacturers are specified for the interior paint, and are equals allowed?
What is the procedure and deadline for requesting a product substitution?
What performance requirements must the curtain wall system meet?
What installation requirements and tolerances apply to resilient flooring?
Which field tests or mock-ups are required before installation?
What to look for in specifications
Many specification sections are split into general (scope, submittals, warranties), products and execution. Knowing the structure tells you where an answer should sit.
A section may name one product, several acceptable manufacturers, or only performance criteria. Substitution rules depend on which approach is used.
Sections often list related sections whose requirements also apply. Follow them, because a requirement can be split across sections.
General requirements on submittals, quality and closeout usually govern every technical section, so read them alongside.
Search+ finds relevant passages by meaning, not only exact words, so a question about waterproofing can surface a section titled differently. Answers cite the section used.
Specification parts and what to ask
| Specification part | What it usually covers | A question to ask Search+ |
|---|---|---|
| Summary and related sections | Scope and links to other sections | Which related sections apply to this work? |
| Submittals | Product data, shop drawings, samples | What submittals are required before installation? |
| Quality assurance | Qualifications, mock-ups, standards | What installer qualifications are required? |
| Products | Manufacturers, materials, performance | Which manufacturers are acceptable? |
| Execution | Preparation, installation, tolerances | What surface preparation is required? |
| Field quality control | Testing and inspections | Which field tests are required and who performs them? |
| Warranty | Special warranty terms | What warranty period and coverage is required? |
What are construction specifications?
Construction specifications are the written part of the construction documents that describe the required quality of materials, products, equipment and workmanship, and the administrative requirements for the work.
Specification questions
Can Search+ find what product is specified?
Will it catch requirements in related sections?
Can it tell me if substitutions are allowed?
Can I search specifications from two projects?
Is an answer a design or code decision?
Read the specified requirement in its own words
Start a workspace, upload the specification sections, and ask about your products.
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