What should you check in a technical specification?

1. Do the documents describe the same apartment?

Check the apartment identifier, address, document date and plan revision. An older plan or a neighbouring apartment's presentation may help, but does not verify every detail of your chosen property.

Record the type of floor area too. Gross, net, usable and certificate areas are not interchangeable. If values differ, ask which calculation and rooms they represent. B2's sheet separately states usable net, net and gross areas. [B2 data sheet]

2. Follow the building's structure through

Foundations, load-bearing walls, floor slabs and roofs are separate elements. Read them together with insulation, moisture protection and internal finishes. One material name or thickness is not the complete construction build-up.

Precise product identification, intended use and declared performance matter in a declaration of performance. ÉMI's guide helps interpret these. [ÉMI] European Commission guidance explains the roles of declarations of performance and CE marking. Assess each document in relation to its specific product and application. [European Commission]

3. Ask what each system does

Heating, cooling and domestic hot water are three different functions. Note which equipment provides each, where it is installed and how it is controlled. Discuss ventilation separately; do not infer it from the presence of air conditioning.

Solar system rated output, energy classification and expected electricity bills are also different data. A certificate states calculated energy performance under standardised conditions. Actual use can differ. [Building information portal]

Bring your habits into the discussion with specific questions: which rooms would you cool, how would you control the heating, and which appliances would you use regularly? This lets you assess the design and your needs together.

4. Distinguish provisions from installed equipment

Distinguish “connection”, “connection point”, “provision” and “installed appliance”. For example, B2's specification includes provision for a water softener connection, not installation of the appliance. [B2 data sheet]

For finishes, ask about the room-by-room allocation and available choices. Locate sockets, switches and lighting points on the plan too. A count alone does not show whether connections will suit your furniture layout.

5. Make changes traceable too

If you request different finishes, positioning or additional fittings, identify the item being changed. Ask for the exact scope, any price difference and timing implications in writing.

For an “equivalent” substitute, ask which characteristics establish equivalence. Function, size, performance and ease of use can matter alongside the brand. The change should be traceable to the same apartment and document version.

6. Prepare your own checklist

• Apartment identifier and current floor plan
• Structural and construction-layer documents
• Heating, cooling, hot water and controls
• Windows, doors, finishes and fitted equipment
• Provisions and separately agreed changes
• Handover documents and open questions

The checklist helps you see which questions were answered at the end of the discussion. Where a detail requires technical judgement, consult a specialist. Illustrations and plain-language explanations help you navigate; the relevant document records the specific solution.