June 17, 2025
A thorough review of construction specifications can be the difference between a smooth project and one riddled with delays, cost overruns, and legal exposure. With razor-thin profit margins across the industry, even a few missed requirements can significantly impact a project’s bottom line—or worse, open the door to claims and disputes.
That’s why experienced project engineers know not to rely solely on a pre-generated submittal log—whether it was created manually or with automation. The smartest teams dig deeper, cross-referencing specs, product data, and closeout requirements to flag issues early and stay ahead of risk.
In today’s compressed design schedules, it’s common for spec writing to be outsourced to consultants or pulled together from previous projects. That often leads to bloated, outdated documents—full of legacy products, obsolete standards, or unnecessary process steps. If these issues go unnoticed, they can quietly derail procurement, cause last-minute surprises, or set off contract disputes.
To avoid that fate, high-performing project teams ask tough questions during the review process. Here are nine things the most diligent engineers look for:
1. Spec vs. Contract Alignment
Do the written specifications match the contract documents and drawings? Are there conflicting scope items or requirements that could lead to change orders or ambiguity?
2. Missing Submittals
Are there any divisions or sections that lack submittals entirely? Missing submittals often slip through the cracks and can cause major issues during procurement.
3. Shop Drawing Overload
How many shop drawings are required, and do they align with the project’s size and complexity? Excessive requests can add unnecessary administrative burden without adding value.
4. Delegated Design Elements
Are any components, like curtain walls or MEP systems, being delegated to subcontractors? If so, is that clearly defined—and are the associated submittals accounted for?
5. LEED or Sustainability Requirements
If the project is targeting LEED or another green certification, are the associated product requirements, documentation, and timelines clearly identified?
6. Mock-Up Requests
Are mock-ups required? If so, which ones, and do they make sense for the scope of the project? Unnecessary mock-ups can delay schedules and strain budgets.
7. Imported Materials
Do any specified materials or products need to be imported? Consider sourcing, tariffs, delivery lead times, and whether substitutions might be required to stay on schedule.
8. Sole-Source or Basis-of-Design Products
Are there any sole-source products or basis-of-design specifications that limit options? Are any items custom-fabricated or long-lead, and if so, can early procurement be initiated?
9. Special QA/QC Requirements
Do the specs call for specific testing, certifications, or third-party inspections? Knowing these upfront can help plan resources and avoid schedule impacts later.
Tools like Anyset Specs provide a powerful head start—automatically extracting hundreds of submittal requirements from project specifications in minutes. But even with automation, expert review remains essential. The time saved with AI can be reinvested into higher-level analysis that safeguards project success.
In short: automation creates the bandwidth—expert review ensures the quality.