Residential Outline Specifications + Schedule Templates


Simplify spec creation, minimize risk + errors to deliver high-quality projects


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Are contractors misinterpreting your plans?

Every design professional has a deep well of stories + problems they’ve encountered during construction. I'm sure you can relate.

Project delays, endless RFIs and questions from the field, costly on-site improv or taking the liberty to do it, “the way I’ve always done it”...

Construction involves thousands of decisions and the design process is meant to document and catalog those decisions and convey that information to the entire project team: clients, contractors, consultants; anyone responsible for helping us build our work.

The more you draw + document before construction, the more control you'll have over the finished product.

Anything you don't draw or document is simply a decision you're choosing to defer to someone else to make, which can delay the project, fail to meet performance expectations, and lead to wildly inaccurate pricing.

There is a way to ensure your Contract Documents are complete and capture all the necessary information and details.

Over the years in practice, I’ve established a minimum performance standard for what my clients and the building trades can expect when they work with me. It’s like a checklist that helps to minimize project delays, to ensure my clients get the high-quality build I’ve promised and it reduces communication errors during construction saving me time and headaches.

My Residential Outline Specification + Schedule Templates serve as my performance standard and checklist.

Manage your residential architecture projects efficiently and effectively with The Residential Outline Specification + Schedule Templates

Specifications + Schedules form an important part of the Contract Documents; they describe - with specificity - aspects of the work that the drawings can't. They save you time and ensure you’re not putting your profitability or professional reputation at risk.

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See what's inside:


✓ Fully customizable & editable to your own proprietary standards
✓ Available in Microsoft Word format (compatible with Google Docs)
✓ White-label + customize by adding your own branding
✓ Updated regularly

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"Loving the spec, it's nice to have a concise template. Having spent the entire weekend cobbling together 20 years of specs from my archives I hope this shows you the value: it took me two hours of reviewing your spec template and a few hours tweaking it to be my template and it's totally worth the money compared to the time it would have taken to cull down and polish the behemoth I was developing. Thanks!"

- A. Lynch

Think of outline specs + schedules as an instruction manual for constructing your project.

While outline specifications may reference specific manufacturers and products, their primary function is to detail the processes, systems, and materials required to meet certain (and often proprietary) performance standards.

Their your secret sauce for creating your branded work.

And - importantly - the specifications + schedules list, in detail, all the information that the drawings aren't able to.





Don’t leave anything to chance.

Specs + schedules cover everything you can’t (and don’t necessarily want to) draw. Like every design professional I know, I’m a control freak. I want to direct as many design decisions as possible, so I draw and call out as much as I can in the studio where making changes on paper is much less expensive than it is on-site where every alteration = a (costly) change order.

Use my templates as a starting point. Review my documents carefully and customize them to meet your needs.


  • No more wasted hours on specification creation.

    • Focus on what you love - your design work - and boost your overall productivity.

  • Clear and detailed specifications

    • Ensure everyone is on the same page, minimize misunderstandings and conflicts.

  • Accurate pricing and reduced risks

    • The comprehensive specifications leave no room for ambiguity, allowing contractors to provide precise quotes and your client to know exactly what they’re getting.

You’ll get immediate access + lifetime updates.

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Here’s everything included in The Residential Outline Specifications + Schedule Templates


  • 28-page Residential Architecture Outline Specification Template
  • Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx) Formats Included
  • Template includes Embedded Styles so it's easy to change fonts + formats
  • Swap in your Logo for the Placeholder in the Header
  • Fully customizable + editable to your standards
  • Cover sheet template (.PSD Photoshop file + Canva template link included)
  • **NEW** Schedule templates Microsoft Word (.docx/.doc) Formats Included (+ example images showing completed schedules from a real project)
    • Appliance schedule
    • Door schedule
    • Electrical schedule
    • Hardware schedule
    • Paint schedule
    • Plumbing schedule
    • Wall type schedule
    • Window schedule
  • PLUS Divisions included:
    • Division 1 - General Requirements
    • Division 2 - Site Construction
    • Division 3 - Concrete
    • Division 4 - Masonry
    • Division 5 - Metals
    • Division 6 - Wood + Plastics
    • Division 7 - Thermal + Moisture Protection
    • Division 8 - Doors, Windows + Hardware
    • Division 9 - Finishes
    • Division 10 - Specialties
    • Division 11 - Equipment
    • Division 12 - Furnishings (Limited Information)
    • Division 13 - Special Construction
    • Division 14 - Conveying Systems
    • Division 15 - Mechanical Systems + Plumbing
    • Division 16 - Electrical
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“Both will save me a ton of time and help me produce better plans.”

Here’s what others are saying about using The Residential Outline Specification + Schedule Templates




"I purchased the Outline Specifications and the AutoCAD template last week. Both will save me a ton of time and help me produce better plans. Thank you for making these resources available to others at a reasonable price!"

- K. Kenner

"Loving the spec, it's nice to have a concise template. Having spent the entire weekend cobbling together 20 years of specs from my archives I hope this shows you the value: it took me two hours of reviewing your spec template and a few hours tweaking it to be my template and it's totally worth the money compared to the time it would have taken to cull down and polish the behemoth I was developing. Thanks!"

- A. Lynch

"Incredibly helpful information included. Such a useful reference... thanks!"

- L. Taylor-Brown

"I want to come work for YOU! Simply great stuff."

- T. Pope

"Thank you for ensuring great design and lean business practices gets passed along. I am very thankful to have found your content!"

- Tara W.

"I’ve been so inspired by your efforts and personally have seen you as a true teacher that reaches out to the broader interest in such a refreshing manner. I’ve purchased your procreate template as well as your residential specification template and they're wonderful. Great, great effort and very, very inspirational. Simply, thank you."

- J. Bibb

Do you need specifications?

Specifications + schedules protect you from costly mistakes and miscommunication. The written word always takes precedence over the drawn line. As such, when there’s a conflict, your specs provide clear instructions for the contractor, and ensure they seek clarification from you before proceeding. They also save you from answering countless questions from the field. Every object in the finished project will be chosen by someone—who better than the design pro to make the selection? This proactive approach helps prevent misunderstandings and errors, safeguarding the quality, integrity and accuracy of your work.

  • Specifications include references to aspects of the work that are difficult or impossible to include in your drawing set.
  • They cover information and details you might not have thought to include in your drawings.
  • They complement the drawings and make the pricing and bidding process more efficient ensuring you've left nothing to chance or for someone else to decide for you.

But aren’t all specification templates the same?

Definitely not. A template that is specifically designed for residential architecture projects, includes performance requirements that can help you avoid pricing mistakes, sub-par assumptions and inferior products.

Here’s an example:

What’s the baseline PG rating you’ll accept for your windows where you practice? What shop drawings will you require? Without properly calling these out, you could be putting your business at risk.





Without a comprehensive outline specification + schedules you're setting for yourself for endless questions during pricing + construction.

Eric Reinholdt, RA, NCARB

I know from personal experience.

I’ve been designing residential projects for over 27 years. Without a spec and schedules to document all the decisions you're guaranteed to be field more questions from the job site. Who better to make all these decisions than the design profesional? I learned the hard way after one too many site surprises that I needed a better process for delivering on the quality expectations my clients had. The outline specifications and schedule templates are the result.

So, this is not a generic template you can just find online?

This is the outline specification I use as the starting point for all my residential architecture projects at 30X40 Design Workshop. It's been carefully crafted, revised and developed over many years in my studio. I’ve made all the mistakes and exhaustive work refining these standards, so you won’t have to.

And because my practice is focused on residential architecture, this collection of documents has been designed to be used for light wood frame construction and covers projects of residential scope + scale.

Plus, you’ll also receive a cover sheet template and schedule templates for every aspect of your project, including: appliances, doors, windows, electrical, hardware, paint, plumbing, and wall types.

With The Residential Outline Specifications + Schedule Templates, you’ll have a solid foundation for creating your own custom set of specifications tailored to your brand, your work and your standards.


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Frequently Asked Questions


Is this a course? Will it teach me to write specifications?
No, these are templates to help you craft your own set of custom, branded outline specifications + schedules using 30X40's templates as a starting point.
I live in (a country outside of the USA) how will it work with my local standards?
To be perfectly candid, I’m not certain how the spec will compare with your country's standards as I'm a licensed professional exclusively practicing in the USA. I can say that design professionals from all over the world have been able to adapt it to suit their needs. Assuming a modest professional billing rate here in the USA of $150/hr, my quick math suggested it would be nearly impossible for a professional to rough out a spec in templated format, a cover sheet and all the schedules I’ve included in less than two professional hours of billable time. This, I believe, makes it an incredible value!
What file formats are included?
Files are natively created in Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx), Photoshop (.PSD) and a Canva template is included for the cover sheet. You'll find that most software (paid + free) is capable of importing and editing these files.
Are these "ready-to-use" or do I need to review and update all the code-related values?
You’ll find that the template is ‘ready-to-use’ but, as with anything where materials, systems and details differ you’ll have to verify whether certain aspects of the spec are applicable to your project and fine tune to meet your specific needs. The specification does make a few general references to code standards and these are flagged in red for your review so you may update and alter them to meet your specific location's requirements.
I’ve always used a one-page specification sheet, how is this different?
One-page specs work for very simple projects where quality and consistency are of little concern. A one-pager can’t possibly capture all of the standards, procedures, checks, balances and expectations of more complex projects and clients who require a premium-quality finished work. These specifications ensure you deliver on those expectations, which allows you to secure premium clients, work with better contractors and secure higher fees.
I am a builder/interior designer (etc) . Will this help me?
Absolutely. I know that quite often builders and interior designers are called upon to estimate a job with little or no documentation. An Owner’s effort to save on design fees doesn’t reduce the actual number of decisions that need to be made. You still need a set of documents that clearly describes the quality expectations, baseline performance standards, materials, and everything the project will include. You need them to do your job and get your clients the result they want. My spec and schedules can serve as a checklist to keep your projects on track and within budget. This can even be a new revenue generating part of your existing business that gives your clients the confidence that you’re a professional with a valuable system in place to get them results. Whether you’re a builder, or an interior designer, the template is designed to support and make your work better and your job easier.
Do I really need specifications + schedules?
Specifications and schedules protect you from costly mistakes and miscommunication. The written word always takes precedence over the drawn line. As such, when there’s a conflict, your specs provide clear instructions for the contractor, and ensure they seek clarification from you before proceeding. They also save you from answering countless questions from the field. Every object in the finished project will be chosen by someone—who better than the design pro to make the selection? This proactive approach helps prevent misunderstandings and errors, safeguarding the quality, integrity and accuracy of your work. Specs + schedules cover everything you can’t draw. I always prefer to control and direct all of the design decisions for a project. Even though I draw more than most there are still many things I can’t describe with drawings alone: favorite products, flashings, access panels, grilles, plumbing products, and so on. Making these decisions in the studio is a much more cost efficient process than doing so on-site, in the heat of battle, where every move comes at great expense and tensions can be high.
What's your refund policy?
As these are digital assets you receive immediately upon purchase I'm not able to offer refunds.
Do you keep the spec updated?
Yes! As I learn new things and discover new (favorite) products, I always update the specification.
The divisions of your outline spec don't match the current MasterFormat divisions, why is that?
I’ve developed a streamlined format tailored specifically for residential-scale projects. This approach strikes a balance between offering adequate detail and avoiding information overload. While the CSI MasterFormat, with its 50 divisions, is comprehensive and ideal for projects of all scales, it can be excessively detailed for smaller projects.

Anything you don't draw or document is simply a decision you're choosing to defer to someone else to make…

which means: more “site visit surprises,” potential project delays, and uncertain quality. You’ll field more questions and RFIs during pricing + construction and all this results in inaccurate pricing and clients confused about why cost overruns forced them to delay or defer their dream build.

The design profession is fraught with risk as is, it's much better to create a tight set of drawings, specs and schedules that answer every question that's bound to arise along the way, from pricing all the way through construction.

This way, you’re not leaving things to chance, you’re protecting your business, reputation and delivering the results your client expects.

Get The Residential Outline Specifications + Schedule Templates and save 58% off the regular price.

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