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Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find the answers to the most common questions people ask.

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FAQs

  • We can provide specifications throughout RIBA Design Stages 2, 3 and 4. It’s best to get us involved as early as possible so that we can develop the specification as your design evolves. However, we know this is not always possible, and we can provide a robust service at short notice if needed.

  • This varies depending on the scale of the project, our scope, the procurement route and programme duration. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

  • Contact us to discuss your initial requirements and we can then advise the appropriate solution and provide a fee proposal. Following this, we would have an initial kick-off meeting either face to face, or via video to ensure the project requirements/parameters are understood and we agree a programme to align with your deadlines. We then work with you, meeting regularly to provide proper ‘consultancy’ services until the final deliverable is achieved. We are always available for follow ups as required.

  • No. A number of our clients use us to prepare their specifications using our own bespoke software and Masters, and we provide PDF files for their submissions. Equally, if you are an NBS customer then you can benefit from our specifications being developed in your NBS Chorus environment, and then have the ability to link the BIM model with the specification, and also have control of issues and future updates.

  • We can also carry out reviews of your project and in-house specifications, we train team members to write specifications and prepare company-wide Master specifications. Our team can assist with BIM adoption and model integration. We also provide our Practice Management service to assist practices with managing their business.

  • Predominantly Architects, but we also prepare documents for Landscape Architects, Engineers, Contractors and Developers.

  • We have an office in central Manchester, with our team and consultants based around the UK.

  • Our team can provide specifications in CAWS, Uniclass 2015, CSI MasterFormat and bespoke Outline formats.

  • We are fortunate have a wide range of clients, from those listed on the AJ100, to boutique practices. This allows us to work on projects in most sectors ranging from stadiums and hospitals, to penthouse fit-outs and house extensions.

  • These are some of our most interesting projects. We work with clients who are heavily involved in the refurbishment of offices, student accommodation and residential schemes, and have developed robust specifications to support these types of projects.

  • Many of our projects have stringent sustainability requirements, and we include the various accreditation (BREEAM, WELL, etc.), retro-fit and embodied carbon requirements within our specifications. We work closely with design and sustainability teams to ensure the necessary questions are asked, and that information and requirements are correctly captured.

  • We can provide tailored keynote files that are uploaded into the model to link the spec clauses/ codes with model elements. Our team can work closely with your in-house BIM co-ordinator and support you with your BIM journey. For our clients who already use NBS Chorus, the specification technology allows design teams to directly link the specifications with Revit models.

  • We are not Architects, nor designers. With our experience and industry knowledge we can help advise on certain material selections and potential suitable manufacturers, however, we cannot select products/ systems, or design on your behalf.

  • As a sub-consultant to Architects and designers, it is our professional responsibility to hold PI. We carry varying cover levels depending on our scope and the value of the project.

  • Our team have prepared specifications for projects all over the world, with some having lived and worked in Australia and the Middle East, and we have extensive international experience. Predominately our clients are UK and Ireland based, but we have a number of clients in Europe and the Middle East who we support with their specifications.

  • There are no specific qualifications. Backgrounds range from surveyors, Architects, interior designers and architectural technologists. Experience in construction, procurement, contracts, materials and delivering projects is recommended, as is a degree qualified in Architecture or a similar technical/ construction-based discipline. However, we would welcome a conversation if you are interested in a career in specification consultancy.

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