The building specifications for a home are a binding document that commits the developer to adhere to the characteristics it disclosed to the buyer prior to the sale.

Buying a home is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your life. In fact, there are so many factors to consider. Beyond financing—a fundamental pillar of homeownership—there are certain documents you need to be familiar with and know how to handle throughout the entire process.

Floor plans are the most popular. And for good reason: they provide crucial information about the location, the layout of spaces, and the facilities, among other things. However, there are other documents that, despite their differences, are just as interesting—if not more so.

Among them is the building specifications document, a document that specifies in great detail each of the elements, finishes, and fixtures to be included in the project.

What is a home’s specifications sheet?

Whether you’re thinking about buying a single-family home or plan to become the owner of an apartment, you should know that the building specifications are an essential document for new construction properties.

Essentially, it provides a detailed list of the materials to be used in construction—both for the interiors and, generally, for the common areas and facilities that the home will include. The developer is required to provide this document, and it must be provided free of charge.

The importance of the document goes beyond the aesthetic aspects of the materials, although such aspects do influence, for example, key factors such as energy efficiency, the level of thermal and acoustic insulation, and the quality of bathroom fixtures and appliances. In short, we are talking about a set of data that will directly affect the property’s price.

In other words, the new construction specifications are the document that guarantees to the buyer that both the materials and the home’s fixtures and fittings comply with what was agreed upon. For this reason, it is usually signed by both the buyer and the seller and is included as part of the purchase agreement.

The wording must be flawless so as not to raise any doubts about the condition of the property; if there are any concerns in this regard, it is advisable to consult an expert.

Key Elements of a Home’s Specifications Document

Given that a home’s building specifications are intended to be a tool that allows the buyer to get a clear idea of what the property will be like, there are several pieces of information that must be included.

In addition to the finishes themselves, the document must include information regarding:

• Building components. From the foundation to the roof, including the facade and utility systems, the specifications must include references to these elements as well as information regarding the systems used to install them.
• Materials. It is essential that the document provide detailed information about each and every material used inside the home. Toilets, faucets, wall and floor coverings… These are just a few examples.
• Installations. Services are another essential section of the specifications document, a section that must include not only electrical and plumbing installations, but also more sophisticated systems such as HVAC, telecommunications, and home automation.

The level of detail in the specifications must be such that it also includes a list of materials and models that could be substituted with similar ones in the event of unavailability. If the document does not include this section, it is advisable to contact the developer to avoid any surprises. In fact, under no circumstances may the elements specified in the specifications be replaced with others of inferior quality; they may only be replaced with others of similar or superior quality.

Although not strictly necessary, information about the building’s common areas, as well as the building’s location and the neighborhood’s amenities, and details regarding financing or payments may also be included in the building specifications.

What to Do If the Building Specifications Are Not Met

The building specifications for a home are legally binding. This document serves as a guarantee of the buyer’s rights in the event that the developer fails to fulfill the terms of the agreement, particularly in cases where a purchase is made off-plan.

If, once the property has been delivered, it does not meet the agreed-upon terms, it is possible to take the matter to court or to consumer protection agencies. In this type of claim, it is also helpful to have all the information, brochures, and similar materials related to the property, since—like the building specifications—they are also legally binding.

The first step, once you have verified that there is an issue that does not comply with what was agreed upon, is to draw up a list of the items that are not included in the building specifications. The list should be sent to the developer, preferably via certified fax. From there, a negotiation process usually begins.

In these cases, it is common for developers to offer the buyer a financial settlement to compensate for the differences, although it is also not uncommon for them to offer to make certain changes.

If an agreement cannot be reached, there is no alternative but to resort to legal action, which—while it does not typically result in the termination of the sales contract on the grounds of a breach of the statement of quality— it does usually result in the award of sufficient compensation to cover the differences between what was agreed upon (for which payment was made) and what was delivered.