Performance specified work in construction contracts
The phrase ‘performance specified work’ refers to aspects of a building development that are identified in contract documentation to be designed by contractors or suppliers.
Specifications vary considerably depending on the stage to which the design has been developed, ranging from performance (open) specifications that require further design by the contractor, to prescriptive (closed) specifications where the design is already complete when the project is tendered.
Most projects involve a combination of performance and prescriptive specifications. Items crucial to the design may be specified prescriptively (such as external cladding) whilst less critical items, or items requiring specialist design may be specified only by performance (such as service lifts).
Performance specifications describe the result that is required from particular items and leave it to the contractor or supplier to satisfy that requirement. In effect it requires them to complete the design. The nature of the performance required is typically defined by the desired outcome, or by reference to standards. See Performance specification for more information.
Performance specified work is increasingly common as buildings become more complex and the supply chain becomes more integrated, with contractors and suppliers having greater involvement in design at an earlier stage of the project.
Performance specified work used to be most commonly defined in a ‘contractors designed portion’ as a supplement to the main contract, but increasingly now it forms part of the requirements of the main contract itself.
Separate sub-contractor design agreements are available where the main contractor is to design specific parts of the works and a sub-contractor is to design part or all of sub-contract works.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
BSRIA Briefing 2024: Sustainable Futures speakers
Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living 22 Nov.
Wall of support for post-Grenfell regulation of electricians
Call for a shake-up of the construction industry highlighted on radio.
Digital sustainability through future AEC tools
Bringing together industry and academia to meet challenges.
Skills gap for net zero highlighted to Minister for Industry
ECA convenes roundtable discussion at Portcullis House.
Evidencing Net Zero with the new UK buildings standard
Pilot version with detailed excel proforma out now!
Scottish Building Safety Levy, in consultation
From direct remediation and the RPDT, to the costs and alternatives.
Waves of warmer homes grants for the rental sector
Boosting energy efficiency standards for all rented homes.
A refocus of the National Planning Policy Framework
Key terms described in brief, as the consultation closes the evening of the 24th.
Fortified farmhouses of the unruly 16th-and 17th-century borders.
ECA shares advice for those who may be exposed to risks.
How to revolutionise UK housing with MMC
CIC and Supply Chain Sustainability School unveil a plan.
From the UKs largest manufacturer and supplier of lime.
From mud bricks to smart concrete
A brief history from 7000BC to a future on the moon.
Regulator of Social Housing publishes latest fire safety report
Covering remediation of 11 metre plus social housing sector buildings.
Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill 2024
Approved for priority drafting by Government of Ireland.
The long list with in the frame of key historical events.
Competence frameworks for sustainability in the built environment
Code of practice, core criteria consultation draft for comment.
New Floods Resilience Taskforce
With a wet met office autumn prediction.