How to publish specification packages and share them with subcontractors

The Problem: Keeping the field updated without endless email chains

When a client changes a tile selection or an architect updates a plumbing plan, getting those updates to the jobsite is a constant battle. If a subcontractor works off an outdated PDF from their inbox, you end up paying for costly tear-outs. You need a way to distribute the latest plans, permits, and selections to your field crew and clients instantly, without forcing them to log into another complicated software platform.

Fixture & Finish solves this by letting you compile your project data into a single, version-controlled specification package. Your subcontractors and clients can access this package via a simple, public link or a printed QR code on the jobsite. When you make an update, you publish a new version, and every active link or QR code automatically points to the latest details.

How it works: Publishing a specification package

We do not automatically publish your changes to your public links. This ensures you can work on drafts, compare options, and finalize details behind the scenes. When you are ready for the field and your client to see the updates, you publish a new version of your specification package. Here is how to do it:

Open your project list: Log into your Fixture & Finish dashboard and select the active project you want to update.

View the project: Click the View button next to your project name to open the project workspace.

Navigate to Specifications: Click the Specifications button located in the top right corner of your screen.

Publish the new version: Click the Publish New Version button. The system will compile your latest plans, permits, selections, tasks, and drawings into a clean, readable package.

Wait for the build to complete: The system will take a few moments to generate the package and save a snapshot of this version in your history.

Controlling what subcontractors and clients can see

You do not have to share everything with everyone. You can toggle the visibility of individual components within your public specification packages before or after you publish.

1. From the Specifications screen, look at the visibility toggle section.
2. Use the toggle switches to turn visibility on or off for specific categories: Plans, Permits, Tasks, Detailed Drawings, and Renderings.
3. If you turn off "Permits," for example, your client and subcontractors using the public link will see your selections and plans, but your internal permit documents will remain hidden.

How we use this at Foxhall Homes

At Foxhall Homes, our luxury build company in Bethesda, MD, we build custom homes valued between $3M and $8M. We use Fixture & Finish on every active project. On our jobsites, we print out a sheet of QR codes generated by the software and staple it directly to the studs in the kitchen and master bath.

When our plumbing subcontractor arrives to rough-in the master shower, they do not search their email for a spec sheet. They scan the QR code on the wall with their phone. It instantly opens the latest published specification package showing the exact model numbers, rough-in dimensions, and approved finishes. If we had to change a valve spec the day before, we simply hit "Publish New Version" from the office, and the plumber automatically sees the updated valve spec when they scan the code on-site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do my subcontractors or clients need to download an app or register?

No. We believe forcing field crews to sign up for software is a recipe for failure. When you share a specification package link or QR code, they view it in a standard mobile or desktop web browser. There is no login, no password to reset, and no training required.

What happens to old links and QR codes when I publish a new version?

They stay exactly the same. Any older shareable links and printed QR codes will automatically redirect the user to the most recently published version of your specification package. You never need to print new QR codes or send out new links when you make an update.

Can I see what my specification package looked like three weeks ago?

Yes. Every time you click "Publish New Version," Fixture & Finish saves a permanent, read-only snapshot of your project at that exact moment. You can access your version history from the Specifications screen to see exactly what plans and selections were live on any given date, protecting you in case of disputes over changes.