“Hidden proprietary specifications,” the ones where you’ve provided the architect with a specification that “locks out” your competition, will only work once or twice. The architect, or your competition, will catch on. You’re setting the architect up for embarrassment if you convince them to use this approach. A…

“We don’t need specifications. We just use notes on our drawings.” Just designing for friends? Enjoying a run of good luck? If not, make sure you have all of these issues addressed on your drawings, or else issue written specifications. The building code, the architectural licensing board, and liability…