Specs vs. Drawings & Conflicts

Welcome

Hello, and welcome. This is Super Structures General Contractors — a national general contractor headquartered in Powhatan, Virginia — here to help you and your clients build something that lasts. We're glad you're with us, and we look forward to connecting with you.

Buckle up: Specs vs. Drawings & Conflicts is one of those skills the pros never skip. If you remember one thing, make it this: When drawings and specs conflict, check the order of precedence and submit an RFI — never guess. Nail it, and it pays you back on every job you ever run.

Sometimes the drawings and specs don't agree — you need to know what to do.

Order of precedence

The contract usually sets an order of precedence that says which document governs in a conflict. (For materials, specifications often govern over drawings — but it varies by contract, so check it.)

Don't guess — ask

When you find a conflict, don't pick one and hope. Submit an RFI (Request for Information) to get a written answer. Guessing leads to rework and disputes.

Submittals

The specs require submittals — you send product data or samples for approval to prove what you'll install matches the specs.

Going Deeper (Intermediate)

When the drawings and specs disagree, the contract's order of precedence decides which governs — and when in doubt, you submit an RFI, you don't guess.

Advanced / Pro-Level

How conflicts actually resolve:

• The contract states an order of precedence; common defaults are specs govern materials, larger-scale details govern smaller-scale, and written dimensions govern scaled — but read your contract's stated order, it varies.
• Many contracts (AIA) treat the documents as complementary — what's required by one is binding as if required by all.
• Addenda and ASIs modify the documents (newest governs).
• The safe move is always an RFI to get a documented answer from the design team — guessing creates rework and disputes you'll own.

Practice Challenge

The floor plan shows a door at 3′-0″ but the door schedule says 2′-8″. What do you do? (Answer: don't pick one — submit an RFI. A schedule (written) typically governs over a plan, but the contract's order of precedence controls; getting a documented answer protects you from ordering/installing the wrong door and eating the rework.)

In Practice

The drawing shows a 6-inch curb but the spec says 8 inches. Don't pick one and pour — submit an RFI. A ten-minute question beats tearing out cured concrete.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Picking one document and guessing
• Not checking the contract's order of precedence
• Failing to document the conflict in writing

Takeaway: When drawings and specs conflict, check the order of precedence and submit an RFI — never guess.

Educational overview — always follow your specific project's contract documents and your supervisor's direction.