This study examined specification as a communication strategy in the building industry of Nigeria. It was carried by the use of structured questionnaire distributed to Contractors and Quantity Surveyors and then structured and unstructured questionnaire to Architects who have practiced for at least ten years in the South West of Nigeria. Data collected from sixty-two Contractors and Quantity Surveyors and then forty-three Architects all formed the basis of this study and were analyzed by

more »

... analyzed by severity index. The results showed that partial and scanty specifications accompanied building drawings and were caused by Architects assumption that Contractors ought to understand specifications hasty documentation, time consuming and voluminous nature of specifications. The result also showed that partial and scanty utilization of specifications result into the use, by Contractor of sub-standard materials and workmanship and the presence of time and cost overruns. It is therefore recommended that Architects should accompany all building drawings and designs with full specification to avert unpleasant consequences.