Interior architectural woodwork is often a highly visible component of a construction project, and an architect’s specifications are critical to ensuring the success of any interior woodworking, both in terms of the smooth running of the project and the production of an end result that meets or exceeds the industry’s and the client’s standards. Delivering exact woodworking specifications on projects means it’s less likely that the project will hit snags, incur extra costs, and miss deadlines. It also helps elevate your portfolio of work as an architect, strengthening your reputation and helping you earn bigger and better projects.

Why It’s Important to be Specific in Architectural Drawings
The more specific you can be in your drawings, the fewer time-consuming questions there will be about what you (and the client) are actually requesting. You’ll avoid the number of requests for information (RFIs) that you would otherwise get prior to a final bid, as well as the number of change controls for contractors and subcontractors. However, if you specify AWI Standards, you can be more generic in your specs because you, as the architect, do not need to know the minutiae of the interior woodwork. It also means you can register your project to ensure your specifications are met exactly, and you’ll know the woodwork will be of a high quality.

6 Best Practices for Architects to Help Ensure Woodworking Project Success
As an architect, you can help ensure smooth running of an interior woodworking project by following these six tips:

  1. Tell the general contractor what your requirements are so they can ensure compliance with all of their subcontractors.
  2. The general contractor should register the interior woodwork for certification, and you should look for this certification information to ensure this was completed.
  3. Register a project before it gets to the bid stage. This doesn’t cost anything, and means you’ll have peace of mind knowing the project is registered.
  4. Always request certification if interior woodwork is an element of your project. Certification ensures the quality and integrity of the work.
  5. If you don’t have the resources to be very specific in your drawings, use AWI Standards. Using AWI specifications language in your bid means you can be more generic in your requirements because the minutiae of interior architectural woodworking is covered by the Architectural Woodwork Standards [AWS 2nd Ed], and you’ll be guaranteed a knowledgeable, capable, better-qualified woodworker.
  6. If you do have the resources to be specific, go into as much granular detail as possible in order to get to a bid faster and avoid change orders later in the project.

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