Sample Specifications

The following is a list of standard specifications that will be used in the construction of your project; Where applicable, and, as a general practice, we will always seek to exceed the most recent version of the Model Building Code requirements (IBC & CABO). This section is a sample specification and not a contract.

1. Footings (Typical of all footings):
   • 10” Thickness x 20” width, 2,500 P.S.I. cast – in – place continuous concrete footing with two rows #4 rebar continuous. This will provide a stable and level base from which the structure will bear.
2. Foundation:
   • 6” x 6” x 10 Gauge welded wire reinforcement at every other course in cement block walls,
   • 1/2" x 8” Anchor bolts at 48” on center (o.c.) spacing in all mudsills. Bolts are used to secure the structure to the foundation.
   • Continuous 2” x 8” treated wood mudsill over foam sill seal insulation. Treated wood is used as a pest and decay resistant connection of structure and foundation.
   • Foam insulation is used to seal any air gaps between the mudsill and foundation.
3. Girders & Piers:
   • Two Laminated Veneer Lumber main girders. Laminated Veneer lumber is a manufactured support beam exceeding the load capacities of conventional ‘built-up’ solid wood beams.
   • 4” Diameter concrete filled steel Lally columns. Used to support all main beam loads.
   • 24” x 24” x 10” Thick 2,500 P.S.I. cast – in – place concrete pier footings.
4. Basement Floor System:
   • 4” Thickness 3,000 P.S.I. cast – in – place concrete with smooth machine trowel finish.
   • 6” x 6” x 10 Gauge welded wire reinforcement over 6 mil. thickness polyethylene sheeting vapor barrier.
   • 4” minimum thickness gravel base.
5. Main Floor System:
   • 2” x wood floor joists at 16” o.c., Or engineered I-Joists’ @ 16” o.c. for larger span capacities.
   • 3/4" Exterior grade, ‘tongue and groove’ plywood sub floor glued and ring shank nailed to floor joists. (No Oriented Strand Board.)
6. Exterior Wall System:
   • 2” x 6” wood studding at 16” o.c.,
   • (2) 2” x 10” wood lintels at all load bearing window and door openings,
   • 1/2" Exterior grade C.D.X. plywood sheathing. (No O.S.B.)
7. Interior Partitions:
   • 2” x 4” wood studding @ 16” o.c.,
   • (2) 2” x 10” wood lintels at all load bearing window and door openings.
8. Ceiling System:
   • 2” x wood ceiling joists @ 16” o.c., or engineered I-Joists @ 16” o.c. for larger span capacities.
9. Main Roof System:
   • 2” x 10” ‘Douglas Fir’ wood rafters @ 16” o.c. ‘Douglas Fir’ wood has a better span rating (performance rating) than other wood species readily available.
   • 2” x Wood collar ties @ 32” o.c.,
   • 1/2" Exterior grade C.D.X. plywood sheathing. (No O.S.B.)
10. Insulation:
    • R-30 Fiberglass insulation in main floor system.
    • R-21 Fiberglass insulation in exterior wall systems,
    • R-38 Fiberglass insulation in main roof system.
    • Semi – rigid fiberglass insulation as fire stopping where applicable.
    • Loose fiberglass fill at spaces around windows and doors.
    • All hot water pipes insulated in unheated areas to inhibit condensation.
    • All copper water lines penetrating framing will be insulated for sound transmittance at all points of penetration.
    • Foam rafter vents promoting proper ventilation of roof system.
    • All insulation will conform to latest 2002 code requirements.
11. Electrical: All wiring, devices, and fixtures (where applicable) to satisfy N.Y.S. Board of Fire Underwriters code compliances.
12. Plumbing:
    • All necessary copper supply and A.B.S. plastic waste and vent lines.
    • American Standard, Eljer, Kohler, and Aqua glass are all fixture manufacturers we will provide. Delta, Moen, Groehe and Price Pfister are all hardware manufacturers we will provide. Note: All fixtures and hardware will be budgeted items for customer’s purchase.
    • All necessary heating fixtures, controls and safeties on installed equipment.
13. Roofing:
    • All aluminum flashing (color matched to siding where aesthetically proper) and roof trim (Drip flashings)
    • 15# Bituminous felt under-layment. This is generally used to control premature aging of shingles due to excessive heat build up and subsequent condensation and drying cycles.
    • Self-adhering bituminous membranes used at all eaves, valleys and wall flashing conditions to inhibit ice damming and subsequent water infiltration. These areas are considered high risk for water infiltration in our climate region.
    • 25 Year warranty ‘GAF – Timberline’ laminated shingles. Although there are many different laminated shingle manufacturers on the market today we have found exceptional performance characteristics when using this particular brand and style.
    • ‘Bostich’ collated roofing nails. We use ‘Bostich’ fastening tools and have had numerous problems when using competitors’ fasteners for this application.
    • ‘GAF – Cobravent’ rolled ridge venting system. This system will provide adequate roof system ventilation subsequently enhancing the life expectancy of the shingles as well as the ceiling insulation and the roof system as a unit.
14. Siding:
    • ‘Tyvek – House-wrap’ air and moisture infiltration barrier beneath siding to all exterior wall surfaces. This barrier inhibits the transmittance of air and moisture through the exterior walls.
    • ‘Tyvek – House-wrap’ into all door and window openings prior to window installation creating a uniform airtight substrate and ensuring the proper sealant to structure connection.
    • ‘Certainteed – Monogram’ vinyl siding and trim.
    • Color matched aluminum wrapped facias and trim.
    • 2” Aluminum roofing nails ensuring a minimum 1” penetration into existing stud.
    • All ‘J – channel’ trim to have mitered corners.
    • Wood framed and aluminum clad facia ends.
    • All siding penetrations will be made utilizing siding blocks to facilitate siding expansion and shrinkage.
15. Exterior Doors and Windows:
    • Choice of ‘Certainteed’ vinyl or ‘Andersen’ vinyl clad wood window construction options. Any custom sizes in vinyl construction as well as all catalog options. All catalog models and options available in wood construction.
    • ‘Schlage or Kwikset – Maximum Security’ entry locksets and deadbolts. Front and rear locksets ‘keyed – alike’ option.
    • ‘Thermatru’ steel or fiberglass exterior door construction with adjustable sill in choice of paint or stain grade jamb options. (All catalog models and options available).
    • All gas filled insulated glazing.
    • Minimum of one window per room average. (Not including additions or renovations).
    • Minimum of two exterior doors per dwelling. (Not including additions or renovations).
16. Drywall:
    • All 1/2" drywall on walls and ceilings.
    • 1/2" Cement board as tub wall surround and tile substrate. We will not furnish or install any plastic based tub wall surround.
17. Paint and Stain:
18. One coat primer, two coats ‘Benjamin Moore’ latex based paint. One color ceiling and one-color walls in each room.
19. We will not stain any woodwork or millwork however we will install customer provided woodwork or millwork.
20. Trim:
    • All clear pine wood extension jambs and 2-1/4”clamshell or colonial casing.
    • All windows will be trimmed with clear pine wood stool and apron moldings.
    • All base trim will be clear pinewood in 3-1/4” clamshell or colonial style.
    • Note: All trim requiring staining will need to be finished by others prior to installation.
21. Flooring:
    • All bedrooms and hallways will have 28 oz. Nylon carpeting over 6 lb. padding. Customers’ choice of solid colors only. Patterns and custom designs provided at an additional cost
    • Ceramic tile bathroom and kitchen floors. 8” x 8” or larger ceramic tile over thin set cement and wire lath. Customers’ choice of non – patterned tile. Custom tile will be furnished and installed at an additional cost.
22. Interior Doors:
    • All doors with the exception of fire doors or doors leading to basements will be ‘Colonial’ style hollow core Masonite construction on pre-hung jambs with ‘Kwikset’ bell style handle sets.
    • All doors leading to basements will be ‘Colonial’ style solid core Masonite construction on pre-hung jambs with ‘Kwikset’ bell style handle sets.
    • All fire doors will be flush panel steel construction on assembled steel jambs with self-closing hinges and a ‘Schlage’ security handle set. (Minimum 90 min. fire rating)
23. Decks:
    • All 12” poured concrete cylindrical pier footings to frost level.
    • In addition to standard rough framing construction specifications all railings will be constructed of cedar wood and composite wood materials with all stainless steel fasteners exclusively.
    • All stair construction will be constructed of pressure treated 2 x 12 wood with ‘Let-in’ treads.
24. Miscellaneous:
25. Jobsites are always left neat and orderly.
26. Never any piling of construction debris.
27. All materials will be stacked and collected in neat and organized piles to insure against accidental damages.
28. Garbage bags, cans and dumpsters are always on site for an efficient and timely clean up.
29. Installed finished surfaces protected for length of construction.
30. Although our employees may smoke cigarettes we require they collect all ‘butts’ on their person and at the completion of each day.
31. If you should ever find your jobsite untidy please inform either Ray or Ken as soon as possible.
32. ‘Rough’ language is not tolerated; please inform either Ray or Ken of the very first infraction.