Continuation of discussion on specs.
Depends on the job, the size, complexity and scope. Further dependent upon getting enough fee to do adequate specs.
Opinion - we do the research to select a particular item - once! No "or equals". If GC submits "or equals", submission must come with a check for $500 for your time to review that or don't review it. We don't get paid to do hours and hours of reviewing "or equals". This is especially necessary if there is a pure CM on the job who is not the A/E or the GC - they tend to justify their existence by generating "or equals" for you and the GC to evaluate and neither has time to do that. Do it right the first time, bill fairly for that effort. Then go on to the next project.
Some argue that a solo spec won't get the best price - not necessarily true - the bidder can source the product (usually) from multiple sources and can certainly adjust their margins to be competitive.
Years ago, had a GC do an end run around the A/E and convince the owner to use an "or equals" HVAC system for a 120 unit residential project. The things were undersized, out of production, ran constantly, broke down and no parts were available. The Owner got to go out and buy an entirely new set of units. What a "savings".
We're there to protect Owners from such disasters, so... do your due diligence, select appropriate items to spec and that's it.
If not doing specs (no fee or small job), obviously provide CYA note absolving yourself of liability for selections and that those are "by others".
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John Hrivnak AIA
Principal
Hrivnak Associates, Ltd.
Saint Charles IL
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