NCIDQ-CHAP 15-CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS
What would be the best way to ensure that the finish on new millwork matches the finish
on existing millwork on a remodeling project?
A.) Indicate on the drawings and in the specifications that the new work should match
the existing work.
B.) Ask the client to find out what was used on the old job, and include that information
in the specifications.
C.) Research the manufacturer and color of the existing finish, and include that
information in the specifications.
D.) Ask the painting contractor to inviestigate what finish was previously used, and
include that information in the finish schedule. - Answers- A is correct. The first choice is
the simplest and most reliable b/c it puts the entire burden of matching the existing
finish on the contractor and paiting subcontractor. They are the people most likely to
have the knowledge and experience to make the match. Also, putting the notes on the
drawings and specifications ensures that the general contractor would be responsible
for correcting the finish if it did not match.
If a client wanted to obtain the most competitive bid price possible while still being
assured that the product was acceptable, what type of specification should be written?
A.) open
B.) reference
C.) performance
D.) base bid with approved equal - Answers- D is correct. A base bid with approved
equal specifically lists one product and requires that the interior designer has final
approval before any other product is substituted. The other options leave the exact
choice up to the contractor. Although a reference or peformance specification could be
written to make it very likely that the final product was acceptable, the base bid would
ensure it.
Where would application instructions for vinyl wall convering be found?
A.) in Part 1 of Section 097200, Wall Covering
B.) in Part 2 of Section 097200, Wall Covering
C.) in Part 2 of Section 097200, Wall Covering
D.) in a finish schedule at the end of Section 097200, Wall Covering - Answers- Part 3,
Execution, is the protion of any standard specification section that always contains
installation or application requirements.
Which of the following is more legally binding?
A.) drawings,
B.) specifications
C.) schedules
D.) all of the above - Answers- B is correct. The courts have held in many past cases
that information in the specifications takes precedence over the other documents in the
case of conflicts. This provision is often written into contracts.
, To minimize conflicts in the contract documents, what is the LEAST important action the
interior designer can take?
A.) Show only dimensions on the drawings
B.) Have somone check the drawings before they are issued
C.) Write the specifications after the drawings are essentially complete.
D.) Make sure terminology in the specifications is the same as in the drawings -
Answers- C is correct. The specifications should be outlined and begun while the
drawings are being done The specifications writer and the job captain shoudl be in
constant contact while both documents are being completed, to minimzie conflicts.
Specifications can be made most concise by
A.) using reference standard specifications
B.) avoiding the use of words like a, the, and all
C.) using phrases instead of complete sentences
D.) using descriptive specifications - Answers- A is correct. The methods in options B
and C are useful in writing concise specifications but are not as good as using industry
standards, which eliminate a great deal of text. Option D is incorrect b/c a descriptive
specification requires lengthy text to fully and accurately describe what the specifier
wants.
Which of the following would NOT be found in the project manual?
A.) performance bond
B.) testing requirements
C.) cost estimate
D.) instructions to bidders - Answers- C is correct. Cost estimates are never placed in
the project manual, b/c the project manual is used for bidding. Including a cost estimate
would defeat the purpose of bidding.
What is the best way for an interior designer to ensure that the exact product desired
will be used in the final design?
A.) Show the configuration of the product on the drawings, and call it out specifically.
B.) Write a closed, descriptive specification
C.) Require that the contractor submit samples of all items before purchasing
D.) List the information in a proprietary specification. - Answers- D is correct. A
proprietary specification calls out one single item by brand name, manufacturer, and
model number. With a proprietary specification, the interior designer can als require that
a sample be submitted to further verfiy that the item meets the project needs, but this
method alone in not the best way.
What does the phrase "or approved equal" mean in a specification?
A.) The client must agree to the use a product selected by the contractor
B.) The contractor may propose a substitution, but it must be approved by the interior
designer.
C.) An alternate product may be bid on by the contractor if he or she is sure it provides
the same quality as the product specified.
What would be the best way to ensure that the finish on new millwork matches the finish
on existing millwork on a remodeling project?
A.) Indicate on the drawings and in the specifications that the new work should match
the existing work.
B.) Ask the client to find out what was used on the old job, and include that information
in the specifications.
C.) Research the manufacturer and color of the existing finish, and include that
information in the specifications.
D.) Ask the painting contractor to inviestigate what finish was previously used, and
include that information in the finish schedule. - Answers- A is correct. The first choice is
the simplest and most reliable b/c it puts the entire burden of matching the existing
finish on the contractor and paiting subcontractor. They are the people most likely to
have the knowledge and experience to make the match. Also, putting the notes on the
drawings and specifications ensures that the general contractor would be responsible
for correcting the finish if it did not match.
If a client wanted to obtain the most competitive bid price possible while still being
assured that the product was acceptable, what type of specification should be written?
A.) open
B.) reference
C.) performance
D.) base bid with approved equal - Answers- D is correct. A base bid with approved
equal specifically lists one product and requires that the interior designer has final
approval before any other product is substituted. The other options leave the exact
choice up to the contractor. Although a reference or peformance specification could be
written to make it very likely that the final product was acceptable, the base bid would
ensure it.
Where would application instructions for vinyl wall convering be found?
A.) in Part 1 of Section 097200, Wall Covering
B.) in Part 2 of Section 097200, Wall Covering
C.) in Part 2 of Section 097200, Wall Covering
D.) in a finish schedule at the end of Section 097200, Wall Covering - Answers- Part 3,
Execution, is the protion of any standard specification section that always contains
installation or application requirements.
Which of the following is more legally binding?
A.) drawings,
B.) specifications
C.) schedules
D.) all of the above - Answers- B is correct. The courts have held in many past cases
that information in the specifications takes precedence over the other documents in the
case of conflicts. This provision is often written into contracts.
, To minimize conflicts in the contract documents, what is the LEAST important action the
interior designer can take?
A.) Show only dimensions on the drawings
B.) Have somone check the drawings before they are issued
C.) Write the specifications after the drawings are essentially complete.
D.) Make sure terminology in the specifications is the same as in the drawings -
Answers- C is correct. The specifications should be outlined and begun while the
drawings are being done The specifications writer and the job captain shoudl be in
constant contact while both documents are being completed, to minimzie conflicts.
Specifications can be made most concise by
A.) using reference standard specifications
B.) avoiding the use of words like a, the, and all
C.) using phrases instead of complete sentences
D.) using descriptive specifications - Answers- A is correct. The methods in options B
and C are useful in writing concise specifications but are not as good as using industry
standards, which eliminate a great deal of text. Option D is incorrect b/c a descriptive
specification requires lengthy text to fully and accurately describe what the specifier
wants.
Which of the following would NOT be found in the project manual?
A.) performance bond
B.) testing requirements
C.) cost estimate
D.) instructions to bidders - Answers- C is correct. Cost estimates are never placed in
the project manual, b/c the project manual is used for bidding. Including a cost estimate
would defeat the purpose of bidding.
What is the best way for an interior designer to ensure that the exact product desired
will be used in the final design?
A.) Show the configuration of the product on the drawings, and call it out specifically.
B.) Write a closed, descriptive specification
C.) Require that the contractor submit samples of all items before purchasing
D.) List the information in a proprietary specification. - Answers- D is correct. A
proprietary specification calls out one single item by brand name, manufacturer, and
model number. With a proprietary specification, the interior designer can als require that
a sample be submitted to further verfiy that the item meets the project needs, but this
method alone in not the best way.
What does the phrase "or approved equal" mean in a specification?
A.) The client must agree to the use a product selected by the contractor
B.) The contractor may propose a substitution, but it must be approved by the interior
designer.
C.) An alternate product may be bid on by the contractor if he or she is sure it provides
the same quality as the product specified.
