Testimonials - MASTERSPEC®

 

"We at Triad Architects have used MASTERSPEC for the last ten years and are very appreciative of your work. Our use of the system has evolved and continues to evolve.  We cannot imagine ever doing a project without utilizing it.  We routinely tell many of our peers and clients that we believe MASTERSPEC is one of the greatest and most useful innovations in our industry.  Thanks ARCOM."
Bob Gibson, AIA, CSI, CDT
Triad Architects
Columbus, OH

"As a specification consultant, the value of MASTERSPEC is incalculable. Trying to update master specifications is almost impossible while trying to keep the projects going out the door. ARCOM takes care of that for us with their MASTERSPEC specification packages. And as someone else wrote, the evaluation information is a great resource for our company. It has taught us much about many of the products and materials that go into a project. The other benefit that we see is due to the wide use of MASTERSPEC in the architectural community. When asked by prospective clients what we have for office masters and how often they are updated, I mention that we subscribe to MASTERSPEC. I firmly believe that answer results in increasing the comfort level a client has in deciding to hire our company.."
Dean E. McCarty, CCS, CSI, SCIP
President
McCarty Group
Minneapolis, MN

"As a multidisciplinary A/E firm, we love the completeness of the MASTERSPEC content and the tools such as LINX and MASTERWORKS that help us tailor the depth of content to each project. As a landscape architect and a technical resource librarian, I find the Supporting Documents system an invaluable tool and the first place I go when I want to learn about technical sections that are new to me. I highly recommend for everyone in our office who edits specs to start with Supporting Documents each time."
Chris E. Grimm, RLA, CSI, Technical Resources Coordinator
Schmidt Associates
Indianapolis, IN

"I have been a long-term subscriber to the Structural/Civil/Landscape library of MASTERSPEC. I like MASTERSPEC as it is everything in one product. I appreciate the fact that is it kept up to date and is a tremendous time saver. I value the editor's notes that appear throughout the specification text and all the background information that accompany the specifications."
Jose A. Espinal Castillo, MSCE, PE
Jose Espinal Vasquez Y Asociados, C.S.P.
San Juan, PR

"As an electrical engineer, I consider MASTERSPEC an essential tool for project development. MASTERSPEC covers the important technical aspects of specifying equipment, materials, and installation clearly and completely. With MASTERSPEC and the MASTERWORKS software, I can accurately and completely edit a set of electrical specifications for a large project in about four hours. "
Marc Gould
Unified Electrical Consulting, LLC
Logan, UT

"The Supporting Documents allow me to better understand specific construction materials and methods that I may have limited knowledge of. This allows me to write a tighter specification, minimizing construction phase conflicts."
John C. Anderson, ASLA
Anderson Design, Inc.
Lawrenceville, GA

"I cannot imagine specification production without MASTERSPEC; we have used it for more than twenty years. It is up to date with changes in the construction industry and even reduces our professional liability premiums."
Lisa Dailey
Kingscott Associates
Kalamazoo, MI

"The Supporting Documents that come with MASTERSPEC are a real breathe of fresh air; they are a tremendous learning experience. Every time I start writing a spec, I always start with the Supporting Documents to find out what is new."
Don Trail
Don F. Trail, Architect
Spokane, WA

"MASTERSPEC is an excellent system! It is very easy to use and I really like its features. I used it to produce specifications for a government project. Our client was so impressed with the thoroughness of our specifications that they awarded us another project."
Ken Andrews, AIA
Architect
Boca Raton, FL

"MASTERSPEC's Supporting Documents are an easy-read graduate class. If you're researching an unfamiliar product or system, the evaluations furnish concise information that are sufficient enough to guide you through the editing process of a particular section."
Amy Kilburn
S/L/A/M Collaborative
Glastonbury, CT

"We've used MASTERSPEC as our only specification source since the firm was founded in 1987. It was the most comprehensive spec material out there. There's nothing to compare it to."
George Bennett
Vice President
BBA
East Providence, RI

"MASTERSPEC keeps me out of trouble."
Lee Kilbourn, FAIA, FCSI, CCS
Associate Partner
Zimmer Gunsul Frasca
Portland, OR

"I've used MASTERSPEC in my entire career as an Architect. MASTERSPEC has the content and thoroughness that our firm needs to get projects bid and built. The Supporting Documents, particularly the Evaluations, are a great technical resource, not only for our specification writers but also for the staff preparing construction documents. In addition, MASTERWORKS saves us time."
Paul A. Stockert, AIA , CSI, CCS
Principal - Specifier
Einhorn Yaffee Prescott Architecture and Engineering, PC
Albany, NY

"I find MASTERSPEC an excellent resource for generating a roofing specification... it is all inclusive and saves me a lot of time. The Project and Editors Notes are also very helpful and a time saver. In addition, the MASTERWORKS software is a quick and easy method of editing the specifications... I really find the MASTERSPEC system fast and convenient."
Michael C. Pieper
Roofing Consultant
The Owner's Roof Representative ( TORR, Inc. )
Indianapolis, IN

"MASTERSPEC gives the protection we are looking for; it protects my firm and my clients very well."
Jeffrey Rosenblum
Principal
Rosenblum Coe Architects, Inc.
Charleston, SC

"MASTERSPEC provides a real resource research library at your fingertips."
Barbara Swift
Principal
Swift & Company
Seattle, WA

"As for myself, I will rely upon MASTERSPEC's experience and expertise to continue to be the industry's leading master specification guide and to help direct me in making the right decisions in producing a clear, correct, complete, and concise specification."
Thomas Marti, CDT, LEED A.P.
Specification Writer
Korte Company
Highland, IL

"MASTERSPEC is fantastic. Being a licensed user put me at ease knowing that, as a firm, we are providing our clients with top quality documents by utilizing the number one specification system and enhancement tools available."
Vickie Breemes
Director of Specifications
Little Diversified Architectural Consulting

"As sole proprietor and primary registered professional, I write all specifications. Everything must be accurate and current with materials and systems current in the marketplace. MASTERSPEC is the best system to stay current with new products when coupled with monthly technical periodicals."
Bruce A. Harris
Harris Design Services
Columbus, OH

"I licensed MASTERSPEC soon after I opened my firm. MASTERSPEC has been a life saver. I am very impressed with all the resources and features MASTERSPEC has to offer; it paid for itself on the first project."
Brian L. McNew, AIA, NCARB
McNew Architecture
Shreveport, LA

"I just browsed through my MASTERSPEC update and was quite impressed. There are a lot of good new sections and information included. I'm really pleased that ARCOM is keeping that body of information current with our evolving needs. Good job! Keep up the good work; it is needed and appreciated."
Jonathan Bradshaw, AIA
GSBS PC
Salt Lake City, UT

"...As long as De Mello and Associates exists, we shall always use ARCOM Master Systems as our spec provider...MASTERSPEC has become an indispensable tool and very much used by our staff..."
Dennis S. De Mello
De Mello and Associates
Sandys, Bermuda

"MASTERSPEC is great. We've used three other specification systems before and this is the best one we've had."
Jim Garrison
WZMH Architects
Toronto, Canada

"MASTERSPEC makes life much easier...It's definitely worth the money given the time it saves. I'm very impressed with the constant improvements and would recommend MASTERSPEC 100 percent!"
Kathy Whipple
Bond + Wolfe Architects
St. Louis, MO

"MASTERSPEC provides an accurate, initial resource for researching material criteria, technical data, and manufacturer availability. It shortens the process of creating specification documents with the time saved in research being well worth the price. MASTERSPEC also provides an indispensable first resource of current industry standards. We have used MASTERSPEC for about nine years, and it remains one of the most valuable assets in our library."
Edwin C. Taylor, RA/NCARB Certified
PCI Architecture
Hooksett, NH

"I first used MASTERSPEC about 11 years ago and was impressed with the quality of the mechanical and electrical specification sections. I bought all the engineering sections and then the architectural sections. I have revised my in-house specifications to include certain portions of MASTERSPEC specifications. On occasion when the client specifies MASTERSPEC, such as for the Federal Department of Corrections, I use it completely... I think MASTERSPEC has developed the very best technical specification system on the market today."
Nelson L. Douglass, P.E.
Cooke Douglass Farr Lemons/Ltd.
Jackson, MS

"The Mechanical/Electrical Library sections can be used directly with only slight modification for a wide range of project requirements and for a backbone for whatever section I'm currently writing. The referenced standards and references sections of Evaluations are convenient resources for learning more about a particular product."
Robert Becherer
BNA
Salt Lake City, UT

"I keep using MASTERSPEC rather than another master specification system because of its dependable updating and review process. When a major change occurs in an industry standard, I know MASTERSPEC will come out with a revised spec that has been thoroughly researched AND reviewed by a group of seasoned professionals who are also MASTERSPEC users."
Rick Howard, CCS, CSI, AIA
BHDP Architecture
Cincinnati, OH

"We've used MASTERSPEC's Short Form and Full Length Basic Versions for a year and a half. It's well structured, user friendly, and easy to edit. MASTERSPEC has increased our productivity and helped us standardize specification writing within our organization."
Jim Cundiff
Accipio
Portland, OR

"When I use MASTERSPEC, I know that these very thorough specifications are generated by experienced writers and developed by a consensus process. The peer review process MASTERSPEC undergoes provides infinite credibility. MASTERSPEC protects me - it is a good risk management tool."
David Butler
Engineering Resource Corp., Inc.
Jackson, MS

"For us, MASTERSPEC means peace of mind. It so clearly spells out everyone's responsibility on a project. We use MASTERSPEC as a reference tool; as a way to keep up with new developments in construction technology; and to protect owner, architect, and contractor. In fact, our liability insurance carrier gives us a premium break because we use MASTERSPEC. Now that's a value!"
Frank J. Clark, AIA
FJ Clark Architects
Anderson, SC

"I've been comparing MASTERSPEC to another system and have concluded that MASTERSPEC is still the system that our office needs!"
Ann Collier
Oakley Associates
Rocky Mount, NC

"What a time saver! MASTERSPEC simplifies spec writing and keeps me up to date. I don't need to spend time researching equipment and standards; all I need to do is edit the MASTERSPEC specification section, and the job is complete."
Monte Troutman
Mechanical Engineer
BC Engineering
Evansville, IN

"I consider MASTERSPEC to be one of my best and most hardworking consultants...MASTERSPEC makes us look good...We appreciate your thoroughness and accuracy."
P. Kent Fairbanks, AIA
PKFA
Salt Lake City, UT

"MASTERSPEC is of great benefit to our practice. It is a valuable resource for us in writing specifications and researching the latest information about changes in products and industry standards for our clients. The green evaluation sheets enclosed with each section are of particular value - an education in themselves. We consult them constantly to learn why products and systems should or should not be used in particular situations as well as about proper methods of product installation. And, if we have additional questions that are not addressed by the evaluations, we can phone the ARCOM office and speak to the specification writers directly. They are, without exception, willing to discuss any issue regarding the sections they have written."
Dave Metzger, FAIA, CSI
Heller & Metzger
Washington, DC

"MASTERSPEC is the backbone of our office specification masters, and I am very happy with it. The actual specifications are top of the line - better than anything out there - and we count on them heavily. It is the best, in terms of quality, among anything out there. We also use MASTESPEC as our principal source for information on building methods and materials. The supporting documents that accompany the specifications are invaluable."
W. Todd Springer, AIA
Principal Architect
Kajima Associates, Inc
Englewood Cliffs, NJ

"Our attorney said that we needed to use specs that were the 'industry standard' MASTERSPEC."
Peter Waring
Waring Architects
New Orleans, LA

"MASTERSPEC's Landscape Architecture Library is wonderful; the regular updates are great - the information current and up to date. MASTERSPEC is so convenient!"
Susan Weiss
Site Solutions
Charlotte, NC

"MASTERSPEC's Landscape Library is incredibly straight forward. It is always reassuring to be updated on the industry's latest standards. MASTERSPEC makes creating specs so much easier."
Suzanne Feigely
Brownmiller Design Corp.
New Tripoli, PA

"I have found OUTLINE to be very easy to use. When we were designing a new building for one of our facilities, we needed a quick, but complete, design-build spec for the contractor to bid. OUTLINE worked well in this capacity and provided the specification solution our firms needed."
Paul Martin, Engineer
Norton Company
Worcester, MA

"MASTERSPEC's OUTLINE is a very user-friendly tool that we use for practically all our initial specs ... It has increased our productivity. In one short sitting, we are able to produce a very informative and concise document."
Ted Shoemaker
WYK Associates, Inc.
Clarksburg, WV