When specifying architectural woodwork, you may want to consider requiring the AWI Quality Certification Program.
"A great designer strives to put a unique stamp on a project while balancing budgets and keeping schedules on track. A building owner deserves to receive what is expected.
The QCP is a valuable quality assurance tool that benefits both design professionals and owners." - AWI QCP website. (I couldn't have said it better myself).
You might be surprised to know that many woodworkers routine fabricating processes are not up to AWI standards (contained in the Architectural Woodwork Standards, or AWS, see end of this post for more info). But they will most likely plan to follow the standards it they know you are serious about it. Otherwise, well maybe not really.
If the appearance and tolerances of the woodwork are important for the project, the fees for full participation in the program from the outset would likely be considered fairly nominal.
For AWI's QCP an accredited woodworking firm must complete the work. If they fail to comply, they have an opportunity to make everything right. If they do not, they can lose their accreditation. That's kind of a big deal! For firms to become certified in the first place they have to take a 100 question open book test and 75 program policies test, have 10 letters of reference, have their plant inspected by AWI, and two completed projects inspected. This is not something you want to have to do over again.
Since it is a rigorous process, does it overly limit competition? Because this is a long-enough established program and many woodworkers have become participants (see the "Find a Member" page at http://awinet.org/find/index.cfm to confirm), generally not, unless your project is in an area with few qualified woodworkers, or you have no concern over woodwork quality -- and then you maybe want to be specifying finish carpentry and casework instead of architectural woodwork (see notes further below).
Example search, for accredited manufacturers (i.e. fabricators) in Virginia:
The operative wording to invoke the QCP is to require the AWI Quality Certification Program including labels or certificates.
1.x QUALITY ASSURANCE
Quality Standard: Unless otherwise indicated, comply with the [Architectural Woodwork Standard, Latest Edition] for grades of interior architectural woodwork, construction, finishes and other requirements.
It would also be a good idea to require for the fabricator and installer to be AWI QCP-certified. (This is still located under 1.x Quality Assurance even with the new SectionFormat.) If they are not, and AWI assistance is needed, there is a significant additional fee. See more info further below.
A project can be pre-registered and the AWI project# can be included in the Specifications, to show you are really serious about having their inspections and helpline available. Or the Specifications can say the Contractor registers the project with AWI (that will be assumed unless directed otherwise).
If the appearance of the woodwork is important (and your reputation, as the AWI program material puts it), then the fees for the program are almost trivial if you plan for it at the outset. On a small project it is just $500, on up to $100,000 worth of woodwork. For projects with higher contract amount for the woodwork, the fee it is figured at half a percent on the value of the work. So for example, a project that had $277,000 worth of woodwork had a $1,385 fee. Additional inspections to confirm corrections incur additional charges.
Pretty sure this is far lower than the price of hiring other experts or even paying in-house architectural staff to manage this process, and you get much greater recourse with the AWS on your side.
So the answer to "why not?" if any, is to save $500 to a thousand bucks or so (depending on the project size). If the Architect and Owner are willing to accept the pretty high chances that woodwork standards are often not followed unless someone very knowledgeable is checking, then this program can be removed from the specifications.
With this train of thought, you need to be aware of some other services the AWI offers (that are not cheap) that you might end up needing:
While you are at it on deleting quality, if you want to reduce costs even further, instead of 064600 - Wood Trim, use 0620x3 - Finish Carpentry (just plain off-the-shelf profiles, but you might want to select them and make sure they are available off-the-shelf like you are picturing). In this specification section there is often NO quality assurance of any kind. And instead of Division 06 for cabinets you could specify manufactured casework in Division 12. Some of these comply with AWS (the Architectural Woodwork Standards), but many do not feel that they need to, that their internally developed source quality control is good enough.
A middle ground approach is that you can specify AWS in the 064xxx sections and go with economy grade, and you probably then are not going to require the QCP if you are all about saving money. Just realize if you need inspection without pre-registration or on a project without a QCP-certified woodworking firm, you have not saved money, because there is then the $3,500 additional charge.
Hopefully you have your trusty dog-eared copy of the AWS (https://awinet.org/aws/index.cfm) by your desk and possibly also excellent site negotiations and legal experience yourself then, since you've decided not to concern yourself unless a problem arises.
http://www.awiqcp.org/qcp/index.asp - AWI Quality Certification Program.
https://awinet.org/aws/index.cfm - Architectural Woodwork Standards, which encompasses the AWI and the Woodwork Institute (WI), and the Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada (AWMAC), all into one unified resource since 2009.
Please note the author of this blog is not affiliated or in any economic relationship with the AWI QCP. The only bias if any is toward simple, clear communication and delivering what Architects and Owners expect in their projects.
Why?
"A great designer strives to put a unique stamp on a project while balancing budgets and keeping schedules on track. A building owner deserves to receive what is expected.
The QCP is a valuable quality assurance tool that benefits both design professionals and owners." - AWI QCP website. (I couldn't have said it better myself).
You might be surprised to know that many woodworkers routine fabricating processes are not up to AWI standards (contained in the Architectural Woodwork Standards, or AWS, see end of this post for more info). But they will most likely plan to follow the standards it they know you are serious about it. Otherwise, well maybe not really.
If the appearance and tolerances of the woodwork are important for the project, the fees for full participation in the program from the outset would likely be considered fairly nominal.
What?
What is included in the QCP? Supposing you register a project - what do we all get? Peace of mind, in the form of:
- A nationwide team of former woodworkers and design professionals who have been trained and tested to verify compliance with the Standards.
- They will review the shop drawings and stop problems before they materialize.
- An inspection and a report (example: http://www.awiqcp.org/pdf/SampleReport.pdf).
- Recourse in the event the work falls short of what was specified.
- On-site guidance for all who are concerned with doing it right.
- A label / Certificate of Compliance.
For AWI's QCP an accredited woodworking firm must complete the work. If they fail to comply, they have an opportunity to make everything right. If they do not, they can lose their accreditation. That's kind of a big deal! For firms to become certified in the first place they have to take a 100 question open book test and 75 program policies test, have 10 letters of reference, have their plant inspected by AWI, and two completed projects inspected. This is not something you want to have to do over again.
Since it is a rigorous process, does it overly limit competition? Because this is a long-enough established program and many woodworkers have become participants (see the "Find a Member" page at http://awinet.org/find/index.cfm to confirm), generally not, unless your project is in an area with few qualified woodworkers, or you have no concern over woodwork quality -- and then you maybe want to be specifying finish carpentry and casework instead of architectural woodwork (see notes further below).
Example search, for accredited manufacturers (i.e. fabricators) in Virginia:
How?
The operative wording to invoke the QCP is to require the AWI Quality Certification Program including labels or certificates.
Suggested specification wording from the AWI QCP:
Quality Standard: Unless otherwise indicated, comply with the [Architectural Woodwork Standard, Latest Edition] for grades of interior architectural woodwork, construction, finishes and other requirements.
- Provide AWI Quality Certification Program [Labels] [Certificates] indicating that the woodwork, [including installation], complies with requirements of grades specified. This project has been registered as AWI/QCP project number ____. OR, the Contractor, upon award of work, shall register the work under this section with the AWI Quality Certification Program (855-345-0991.)
It would also be a good idea to require for the fabricator and installer to be AWI QCP-certified. (This is still located under 1.x Quality Assurance even with the new SectionFormat.) If they are not, and AWI assistance is needed, there is a significant additional fee. See more info further below.
Process
A project can be pre-registered and the AWI project# can be included in the Specifications, to show you are really serious about having their inspections and helpline available. Or the Specifications can say the Contractor registers the project with AWI (that will be assumed unless directed otherwise).
And sometimes, we think the better question is... Why Not?
If the appearance of the woodwork is important (and your reputation, as the AWI program material puts it), then the fees for the program are almost trivial if you plan for it at the outset. On a small project it is just $500, on up to $100,000 worth of woodwork. For projects with higher contract amount for the woodwork, the fee it is figured at half a percent on the value of the work. So for example, a project that had $277,000 worth of woodwork had a $1,385 fee. Additional inspections to confirm corrections incur additional charges.
Pretty sure this is far lower than the price of hiring other experts or even paying in-house architectural staff to manage this process, and you get much greater recourse with the AWS on your side.
So the answer to "why not?" if any, is to save $500 to a thousand bucks or so (depending on the project size). If the Architect and Owner are willing to accept the pretty high chances that woodwork standards are often not followed unless someone very knowledgeable is checking, then this program can be removed from the specifications.
With this train of thought, you need to be aware of some other services the AWI offers (that are not cheap) that you might end up needing:
- If there is no requirement for QCP in the specs, but the AWS was referenced, they offer an inspection program that runs about $3,500.
- If the specs do require the QCP, and the AWS was referenced, but the woodworker is not a QCP-certified firm, you can get an inspection for the 1/2% fee plus a $3,500 premium.
While you are at it on deleting quality, if you want to reduce costs even further, instead of 064600 - Wood Trim, use 0620x3 - Finish Carpentry (just plain off-the-shelf profiles, but you might want to select them and make sure they are available off-the-shelf like you are picturing). In this specification section there is often NO quality assurance of any kind. And instead of Division 06 for cabinets you could specify manufactured casework in Division 12. Some of these comply with AWS (the Architectural Woodwork Standards), but many do not feel that they need to, that their internally developed source quality control is good enough.
A middle ground approach is that you can specify AWS in the 064xxx sections and go with economy grade, and you probably then are not going to require the QCP if you are all about saving money. Just realize if you need inspection without pre-registration or on a project without a QCP-certified woodworking firm, you have not saved money, because there is then the $3,500 additional charge.
Hopefully you have your trusty dog-eared copy of the AWS (https://awinet.org/aws/index.cfm) by your desk and possibly also excellent site negotiations and legal experience yourself then, since you've decided not to concern yourself unless a problem arises.
Then again, if you do not wish to have concerns, that means you'd like to rest
more easily that all will go right. In the whole scheme of things, is the up front fee a large dollar amount? Probably not. If there are major aesthetic problems, will you be able to effectively prove noncompliance and enforce the standard?
More Information
http://www.awiqcp.org/qcp/index.asp - AWI Quality Certification Program.
https://awinet.org/aws/index.cfm - Architectural Woodwork Standards, which encompasses the AWI and the Woodwork Institute (WI), and the Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada (AWMAC), all into one unified resource since 2009.
Please note the author of this blog is not affiliated or in any economic relationship with the AWI QCP. The only bias if any is toward simple, clear communication and delivering what Architects and Owners expect in their projects.
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