How can an architect ensure that the general contractor knows which products to include in a project?

To ensure that the general contractor knows which products to include in a project, incorporating specific products in the specifications is essential. This formal documentation provides a clear, legally binding list of required materials and products that must be used in construction. Specifications serve as a comprehensive guide for the contractor, detailing not just the products themselves but also their qualities, acceptable alternatives, and installation methods. This level of clarity helps avoid misunderstandings or omissions and promotes quality control throughout the project.

Using informal discussions or providing a verbal list during meetings may lead to confusion or miscommunication, as these approaches lack the formal structure needed to ensure the contractor has all the necessary information at hand. Similarly, leaving choices up to the contractor's discretion might result in the use of subpar materials or products that do not meet the project's design intent or performance requirements. Thus, specifying products in the specifications is the most effective way to communicate requirements to the contractor.