At Coverings 2026, one of the most valuable takeaways from the live UofCTS course, How to Get Tile and Stone Specifications Working with Architects, will be learning how to track and protect your specification from design through installation.
This live course, now being presented for the fourth time at Coverings, will take place Wednesday, April 1, 2026 (afternoon) at the Las Vegas Convention Center during the Coverings Trade Show (March 30 – April 2).
You can sign up for the UofCTS live course here:
Reminder: The first 20 people to register will receive a free copy of the course workbook (a $75 value).
Key Elements for Protecting Your Specification
The Owner Has the Final Say
The owner—whether on a commercial or residential project—ultimately makes the final decision.
If the owner is convinced that your product or system is the right choice, no one else can override that specification. Building and maintaining this relationship is critical and should never be taken for granted.
The Tile/Stone Subcontractor Has Discretionary Choice
In the tile and stone industry, installers often have significant discretionary power.
If a specification is not adequately protected, lower-priced substitutions can easily be made to increase profit—often under the claim of being “equal or better,” even when they are not.
In competitive bidding environments, installers are pressured to submit the lowest price and then recover margin through substitutions. Unfortunately, architects are not always in a position to catch these changes.
The General Contractor Has Major Influence
The general contractor (GC) is responsible for coordinating the project and managing risk. While GCs want qualified subcontractors, they are also driven by cost control and often favor the lowest bid.
This makes it critical that specifications clearly define performance requirements, quality expectations, and installer qualifications, so bids can be evaluated accurately—not just by price.
Architects and Designers Play a Critical Role
Architects and designers are involved far beyond the design phase. As licensed professionals, they often provide oversight throughout construction and are motivated to protect their original design intent.
When properly informed and supported, architects can be strong allies in maintaining the integrity of a tile or stone specification.
Education Creates Value
One of the best ways to protect a specification is by educating everyone involved in the process—owners, architects, contractors, and installers alike.
That’s exactly what this live UofCTS course at Coverings 2026 is designed to do.
Create value. Reduce risk. Protect the specification.
See you at Coverings 2026.
Register through UofCTS: