This article contains commonly asked questions regarding specs & selections templates.
Click a question or topic to jump to the corresponding answer.
- Do custom builders use spec/selection templates?
- How should I set up spec/selection templates for different communities and projects?
- Can my clients see my spec/selection templates?
- How much info do I have to fill out on a spec/selection template?
- How do I delete a spec/selection category?
- If I delete something on a spec/selection template, does it change everywhere?
- If I change something on a spec/selection template, does it change everywhere?
Do custom builders use spec/selection templates?
Yes, this list can be helpful for both custom and semi-custom builders. While no two jobs may be the same, there are almost always windows, flooring, paint color, etc...
You may not need to list specific options, but you at least know that a certain decision needs to be made. So, that's when it makes sense to have an item for it on the master selection sheet. Template items are also helpful for copying over titles and information (such as vendors, websites, etc…). You have lots of flexibility in deciding how detailed you want to be on your spec/selection templates.
For more semi-custom projects, you may find that you can load some specs or common upgrades, so there's very little tweaking needed once you copy them to a project. But on a highly custom project, you may only have a selection title, with the item set as “Choice to be entered by client” with a price of TBD. Everything else is filled in later on the project's Spec & Selections page.
How should I set up spec/selection templates for different communities and projects?
If you focus more on semi-custom homes built in different communities, you may have different plans and choices that you offer in each area. CoConstruct can help you efficiently manage all of it.
Start by creating a spec/selection template with items that are common to all homes. Then you can build other templates with community and project specific items.
For example, you might have a "Base Selections" template, as well as templates for "Creekside" and "Western Ridge."
Most everything is in the "Base Selections" sheet. However, if one neighborhood has stonework on the outside and another has stucco, you may not include any of your exterior finish items in that base sheet. Instead, you'd have an "Exterior Stone" item in the Creekside template and a "Stucco Color" item in the Western Ridge template.
When you set up a project, first copy items from the "Base Selections" template. Then repeat the process for the neighborhood-specific template. Even though you do the process twice, it goes fast, and will save you a ton of time in getting the right combination of items onto a home.
Also, don't forget that once your project specs/selections are set up just the way you want, you can always turn them into a new template for future jobs. You'll see the option to Copy from existing project when you add a new selection template.
Can my clients see my spec/selection templates?
No, your clients cannot see you Spec/Selection templates as these are intended as a library for you to build out your project information.
If you're giving your client login access to their project, they will be able to see the specs & selections for their own particular project.
How much info do I need to fill out on a spec/selection template?
You have lots of flexibility in deciding how detailed you want to be on your selection template. Some builders, particularly those with a finite number of floorplans and options, have very detailed template items that need little or no tweaking when they are copied to a project.
Other builders, especially those doing highly custom jobs, may include only a title. Otherwise, they set the item as “Choice to be entered by client” with a price of TBD. Everything else is filled in later.
How do I delete a spec/selection template category?
To delete a category for your specs & selections, select Edit for an item under that category. From there, you can select the X icon next to the category name to delete it.
When you delete a category, any remaining items that are also in that category will need to be reassigned (even on other templates). You will be asked where you want to move them.
If you know that there are no items in that category, then just pick anything in the list. At that point, it won't matter what you choose.
If I delete something on a spec/selection template, does it change everywhere?
No, even if you delete an item from a template, it will not affect any existing projects that contain that item.
If I change something on a spec/selection template, does it change everywhere?
No, even if you copied an item from the template to a project, the spec/selection item on the project will not change if you later change the template item. Changing a template item will only affect the information that you copy to future projects.