Setting clear expectations for your subcontractors is essential to building high-efficiency homes that meet EPSTM requirements, and your scopes of work are an important platform for outlining these expectations. A scope of work is a tool for detailing requirements, targets and accountability for your subcontractors.
A detailed scope of work is especially important for problem areas of construction. For example, a scope of work should state which subcontractor is expected to seal penetrations related to plumbing or HVAC work, as some builders expect subcontractors to seal their own penetrations while others put the responsibility on the insulation/air sealing subcontractor. Spot ventilation, whole house ventilation and sone requirements are frequently overlooked, so responsibilities for these tasks should be clearly stated in a scope of work. It’s also important to specify which subcontractor should perform air sealing at the egress of an exhaust flue.
In addition to your scopes of work, it’s beneficial to specify efficiency requirements on design plans and accompanying notes. Projects are more successful when an architect or designer outlines these details. Ask your verifier for computer-aided design, CAD, drawings to assist with challenging concepts such as six-sided boxes for knee walls and skylights.
For more information and a complete list of EPS requirements that can be copied to your scope of work, contact your verifier, refer to Energy Trust’s EPS Field Guide or contact your trade ally coordinator at 1.877.283.0698.