What is in a Project Manual
The architect assembles the Project Manual. It holds every written requirement that does not fit on a drawing. People often call it the spec book. That name is loose, because the specifications are only one part of it.
- A cover, a table of contents and a list of drawings.
- Bidding requirements: the invitation to bid, instructions to bidders and the bid form.
- Contract forms: the agreement, bond forms and certificates.
- Conditions of the contract: general conditions and supplementary conditions.
- Division 01, General Requirements.
- The technical specification sections, sorted by division.
How it is organized
Most manuals follow MasterFormat. The front end sits in Division 00. The rules for running the job sit in Division 01. The technical sections follow in number order. A large job can fill two or three volumes.
Some manuals also include reports for reference. A soils report and a hazardous materials survey are common examples. Read how the manual describes them. Often they are for information only and are not part of the contract.
Why a subcontractor needs more than one section
A specialty contractor usually bids one section. That section does not stand alone. It refers to Division 01 for submittals, substitutions and closeout. The front end sets the bid date, the bonds and the wage rules. An estimator who reads only the trade section misses costs that apply to every trade.
How to read it for a bid
- Open the table of contents and find your section number.
- Read your section from start to finish.
- Read each related section that your section names.
- Read the front end for dates, bonds, wages and tax status.
- Read Division 01 for the rules that add cost to your work.
Takeoff Tool finds your spec section inside the full Project Manual. It lists what the section requires.
Bid documents · Updated 11 Nov 2026