Plans/specs: detailed or vague

[JDBrown]

At my place of work, I've noticed that we use a couple of different approaches to drawings and specifications depending on who the Electrical Contractor is (or if we even know who it will be). With one EC we don't give a lot of specifics, because we've worked with him for years and we trust him to do good work, and to make the best decisions for the Customer based on actual field conditions at the job site. With some other ECs, on the other hand, we try to spell out every little thing because if we don't, we'll get hit with hundreds of RFIs and Change Orders.

So, as an Electrical Contractor, do you prefer for the Engineer to spell everything out in the plans and specs, or would you rather have most items left up to you? Do you get irritated when the drawings call for a Hubbell #GFR5362WTR with a Hubbell #SS26 coverplate, rather than just saying "white 20 Amp GFCI duplex receptacle with stainless steel coverplate"? If the conduits and boxes aren't sized on the plans are you pleased, or do you feel like the Engineer didn't do his job?

 

[Rewire]

Other than the riser diagram i prefer doing all other conduit and wire sizing I think equipment and devices should be speced so bidding is on a level field.

 

[Flex]

All should be spec. Level bidding field. Otherwise I RFI everything so there is no gotchas from the engineer.