READING
PRINTS
AND
SPECS
The Masterformat system can
help you do efficient takeoffs
and accurate bids
by Charles Hults
Construction documents vary greatly
in format and quality. Some firms supply
specifications and drawings that
rival the project manual for Noah's
ark, while others just throw together
paper and drawings that try to simulate
a construction project.
In order to bid successfully on a project,
it is essential to understand and
coordinate the written documents and
drawings. If features are missed or misunderstood,
your bid will be too high
or too low.
Fortunately, there is a logical and
structured system to classify and
describe each aspect of the work that is
required for a building project. When
it is used, each element of a project
manual will