Construction Specifications Writing: Principles and Procedures [Paperback]

Harold J. Rosen (Author), John R. Regener (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471432040 | ISBN-13: 978-0471432043 | Publication Date: November 25, 2004 | Edition: 5

Your single source of guidance to the purpose and process of preparing construction preparations. This new edition offers an up-to-date, practical guide to the craft of specifications writing—from correct terminology through product selection procedures.

• Reflects the latest AIA and CSI standards, including the current practices of the Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee (EJCDC).
• Includes project-tested guidelines for creating specifications which offer advice on every aspect of a project
• Features a unique project manual checklist that reviews the entire specifications process.
• Offers guidelines that help with all aspects of specifications writing—from correct terminology through product selection procedures. 
• Includes appendices loaded with useful tools like sample documents and forms.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The updated edition of the comprehensive rulebook to the specifier's craft

This Fifth Edition of Construction Specifications Writing: Principles and Practices is a major update and expansion of the foremost textbook on construction specifications. It is a comprehensive, practical, and professional guide to understanding the purposes and processes for preparation of construction specifications.

This new edition reflects current practices in writing construction specifications according to the well-established principles and requirements of major professional associations, including the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee (EJCDC), and the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI).

Examples of real-world construction specifications and industry-standard construction contract documents are generously provided along with guidelines for correct terminology, product selection, organization of specifications according to recognized CSI formats, and practical techniques for document production.

Construction Specifications Writing: Principles and Practices is an insightful textbook for students and professionals in development and continuing education classes, as well as a reliable reference for practicing architects and engineers.

About the Author

HAROLD J. ROSEN, PE, Hon. CSI, CCS, is retired after an illustrious career as a construction specifications writer, including serving as the chief of specifications for the New York office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and as an independent specifications writer. He was awarded the highest honor by the Construction Specifications Institute by being named an Honorary Member in recognition for his many decades of pioneering work on formats and practices for construction specifications writing.

JOHN R. REGENER Jr. SAIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP, is an architect and independent specifications writer in Irvine, California, with more than thirty-two years of experience in producing and applying construction contract documents for commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential projects. Active in CSI education programs and leadership, he is a national leader in Specifications Consultants in Independent Practice (SCIP).

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 5 edition (November 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471432040
• ISBN-13: 978-0471432043
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #654,300 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Response to Uninformed Review, December 27, 2005

By 

John Regener (Irvine, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Construction Specifications Writing: Principles and Procedures, 4th Edition (Hardcover)

The previous reviewer obviously has not read the book that he rated so low. Harold J. Rosen is an Honorary member of The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), an honor given to few CSI members. This book, in its first edition, predates the CSI Manual of Practice, and it has been updated over several decades.

Construction Specifications Writing: Principles and Practices has been the leading textbook for teaching construction specifications at colleges and universities.

The 4th edition has been superseded by an expanded and updated 5th edition, co-authored by this reviewer, that is consistent with the CSI Manual of Practice and includes more examples and resources than CSI's MOP.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keeping up to date and getting better, August 10, 2010

By 

RWLarchitect (OH) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Construction Specifications Writing: Principles and Procedures (Paperback)

This book has a long and very fine history and tradition. Rosen was a master, but recently other masters have been used an co-authors. The book is the better for their input and is certainly a comforting teacher to all those who are new to specifications writing, or who need a resoruce to check from time to time. Simply, excellence getting better!

Classic in concept; tutorial in execution. The authors have seen fit to modify and augment the book to meet the changing world of specifications. This is a much needed, and high value book. Kudos to the authors-- high recommendation to prospective buyers and readers. Every design professional's book shelf NEEDS this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good product, June 13, 2008

By 

Charles Thomas - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Construction Specifications Writing: Principles and Procedures (Paperback)

I have found this text to be highly useful in explaining the purpose and content of specifications. The text provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of what should be in a specification. The only thing that might have been better was if the authors had spent more time on the technical specs and less on the EJCDC and other standard items that do not appreciably change. All in all though, this is an excellent text and well worth the price.