Preparation of Construction Specifications for Civil Projects

Prepared by the Committee on Specifications of the Construction Institute of ASCE.

Preparation of Construction Specifications for Civil Projects provides a ready, convenient resource for the recommended principles and approaches used for specification production in civil-engineered projects. Poorly written and ambiguous specifications can result in construction claims, increased cost, and litigation. This guide includes step-by-step instructions, checklists, and sample documents for various specifications.

Topics include: purpose, goals, philosophy, and developmental planning for specifications, formatting, writing, and review of specifications, and bidding and contract award documents.

This guide is an update to Preparing Specifications for Design-Bid Build Projects and will be of interest to engineers, contractors, and construction professionals.