Landscape Contracting

Plant: Winterberry Holly

Term: Specification

Winterberry• Ilex verticillata• Plant type: Deciduous Shrub • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3b to 9a • Height: 6 to 10’, Spread: 8’ to 15’ • Exposure: partial shade to full sun • Growth Rate: slow • Landscape Uses: Border, Screen, Specimen, • This is the only deciduous holly.• In the winter, only the berries remain on the

branches• Makes nice holiday decorations

Specifications

• A detailed, exact statement of particulars, especially a statement prescribing materials, dimensions, and quality of work for something to be built, installed, or manufactured.

• Also called “specs”• Usually written by professional spec

writers.

Project Manual

• Documents required for large projects are bound together in a project manual– Bidding information– Contract forms– Conditions for the contract– The specifications

• All construction specs in the US use a standardized form and numbering system called Masterformat

Types of Specs• Technical Specs

– usually indicate the materials – Difficult to verify after completion (ie concrete must be

constructed from 1/3 portland cement, 1/3 sand, & 1/3 crushed stone

• Performance Specs– Give the standard of performance– ie the driveway must be capable of supporting a 2 ton truck

• Design Specs– Very exact – gives brands, methods & performance– ie Lamp fixtures are GE model 1345A, installed on 8’ Davenport

pole, model 32AF.

Industry• Industry Associations usually provide specs for

their industry• The Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association

(VNLA) has prepared standardized specs for landscaping in Virginia

• Most contracts will specify adherence to these standards

• The American Nursery and Landscape Association has published the American standard for Nursery Stock, which gives exact requirements for all plant materials

Assignment

• Use the Standardized Landscape Specifications of the Commonwealth of Virginia to answer the questions on the worksheet.