Network Building Services (NBS) offers specification writing services to help architects, engineers and construction professionals specify building products and materials effectively. Developing clear, comprehensive specifications is a vital part of the design and construction process. NBS has over 30 years of experience creating specifications that are compliant with regulatory standards and address client requirements.
What is a specification?
A specification is a written document that communicates technical requirements for materials, products or installations that will be used to construct a building project. Specifications ensure that the right items are selected, delivered and installed correctly so the finished building performs as intended. They inform contractors and suppliers about the quality, workmanship and performance expected from different components.
Key elements of a specification typically include:
Product/materials descriptions: Detailed explanations of the type, grade, size and other attributes required. Brand names are avoided to promote fair competition.
Compliance standards: References to industry standards that products/workmanship must meet like British Standards (BS), European Standards (EN) or other regulatory codes.
Installation requirements: Instructions on how products should be transported, stored, handled and fitted together with requirements for workmanship.
Testing and commissioning: Processes for evaluating if installations perform as specified once construction is complete.
Approvals and warranties: Documents demonstrating the specified goods/works are fit for purpose and guarantees provided if failures occur.
NBS specification writing services
NBS specification writers have extensive hands-on experience across different construction sectors including commercial, education, healthcare and residential projects. Their services include:
Template selection: Choosing pre-written NBS clauses and sections that are relevant to the project scope from NBS Create, the industry-standard specifications platform.
Customization: Tailoring template content and structure as needed based on client/designer requirements, site conditions and compliance needs.
Research: Investigating latest product innovations and standards to specify optimal materials and quality levels.
Consultation: Advising clients on compliance issues, specification best practices and answering questions during drafting.
Formatting: Structuring content logically and consistently across sections for ease of use.
Compliance checking: Validating specifications reference appropriate regulations and avoid errors or omissions.
Handover: Providing specifications in required digital/print formats with explanations for client/design team feedback and approval.
Updates: Amending specifications as designs evolve to maintain accuracy through construction and defects period.
Benefits of using NBS specification writing services:
Regulatory compliance – NBS writers maintain constant awareness of evolving construction standards to ensure specifications fully adhere to codes for health/safety, sustainability etc.
Time savings – Leveraging NBS templates and decades of experience allows speedy production of formats suitable for tendering versus starting from scratch.
Consistency – NBS formatting rules promote specifications that are clear, unambiguous and easy to follow for specifiers and suppliers across sectors.
Quality control – Rigorous review processes catch errors and potential issues during drafting to minimize construction problems and cost overruns.
Information access – NBS Create integrates product data from 100,000+ manufacturers for fast specs population without heavy research work.
Liability protection – Using professional specifications reduces risks of poor performance or defects being traced back to ambiguous specifications.
Value engineering – Early supplier involvement based on clear requirements streamlines tendering and ensures best value materials/installation solutions.
Standards compliance – NBS experts are up to date on all emerging regulations and use specifications to drive compliance, sustainability and efficiency.
NBS specification writing services deliver comprehensive, standardized yet customizable specifications that accurately reflect project scope and priorities. This helps ensure construction projects are delivered on brief, on budget and achieve excellent quality and compliance with regulations. The time and cost savings are significant versus developing specifications in-house without a specialist resource.