FAQs

About SpecRep.ai

What is SpecRep.ai and who is it for?
SpecRep.ai is a platform that helps building product companies deliver AI-powered specification support to architects. It’s designed for manufacturers and suppliers who want to remain discoverable, useful, and trusted as architects shift toward AI-driven decision-making. Through SpecRep.ai, suppliers can deploy a branded AI Spec Rep — a trained, intelligent assistant that responds to architectural queries in real time, using your own technical documentation.

What problem does SpecRep.ai solve in the specification process?
The way architects search for products has changed. They’re no longer clicking through filter menus — they’re asking project-specific questions using AI. Traditional supplier websites aren’t equipped for this shift. SpecRep.ai solves that problem by turning your product content into a living interface. Your AI Spec Rep can answer technical questions, explain compliance, share documents, and support specification decisions on demand.

Who built SpecRep.ai and why is it different?
SpecRep.ai was created by Spec Up, a specialist agency with deep experience in architectural specification, marketing, and AI. It’s purpose-built for the Australian building products industry — not a generic chatbot overlay. It understands the National Construction Code, building typologies, and the types of queries architects actually ask. It’s a strategic platform built to earn trust at the point of specification.

Is SpecRep.ai just a chatbot?
Not at all. An AI Spec Rep is a digital product expert trained on your brand’s technical documentation — including brochures, installation guides, certifications, and specification clauses. It can answer project-specific queries, connect architects with your team, and adapt to changing project needs. Unlike basic chat widgets, it supports specification decisions directly and operates within an AI-powered ecosystem that includes SRHD and the SRHD Concierge.

How does SpecRep.ai fit into our broader marketing or specification strategy?
SpecRep.ai transforms your product content into a dynamic tool for real-time engagement. It improves discoverability in AI search tools, strengthens conversion from your website traffic, captures leads from previously untraceable interactions, and ensures your documentation is being used at the exact moment decisions are made. It also complements your human reps by handling repetitive queries and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

How Architects Use It

What does the architect see when they interact with SpecRep.ai?
Architects engage with your AI Spec Rep through a simple, intuitive interface — either on your website or on your page within the Spec Rep Help Desk (SRHD) platform. They ask real questions like, “Can this be used in a Class 2 building?” or “Is this certified for bushfire zones?” The AI responds instantly, drawing from your approved documents and always staying on-brand and on-spec.

How do architects find our AI Spec Rep?
Your AI Spec Rep can be accessed:

  • On your own website — embedded directly into the architect-facing pages

  • On your dedicated SRHD page — where architects often begin their product research

  • Through the SRHD Concierge — which recommends your agent when your product fits a specific project need

  • Via QR codes — printed on product samples, brochures, or packaging for direct access on-site or in the office

What kinds of questions do architects typically ask the AI?
Architects don’t search by keyword — they ask constraint-based questions:

  • “Is this system compliant with AS1530.4?”

  • “Can I use this in an aged care facility with Group 1 requirements?”

  • “What’s the acoustic rating in Rw?”

  • “Does it have an EPD?”

  • “Can I get a copy of the installation guide?”
    The AI responds with clear, document-backed answers, helping architects move faster and with more confidence.

Will architects trust the answers?
Yes — because the AI is grounded in real, verifiable documents. It doesn’t guess or improvise. It cites its sources, flags limitations, and offers to connect the architect to your team if needed. This transparency builds trust and helps position your brand as a reliable, risk-aware specification partner.

What happens if the AI doesn’t know something?
If the AI doesn’t have the answer, it knows how to respond responsibly. It may:

  • Suggest the closest matching document

  • Offer to send the question to a human rep

  • Acknowledge the limitation and explain why
    The goal is always to help the architect keep moving — and to ensure your team is looped in when personal follow-up is needed.

Supplier Benefits

How does SpecRep.ai help us win more specifications?
SpecRep.ai positions your products where decisions are actually made — inside AI-powered specification workflows. Instead of waiting for someone to browse your site or download a brochure, your AI Spec Rep meets architects in the moment they’re trying to solve a problem. It responds with clarity, relevance, and compliance insight — helping your products get shortlisted, justified, and specified with confidence.

Can it reduce the time we spend responding to repetitive queries?
Yes. Your AI Spec Rep is trained on your documentation and brand voice, and can handle high-frequency questions around compliance, dimensions, certifications, application use, and more. It gives consistent, risk-aware responses instantly — freeing up your sales and technical teams to focus on higher-value conversations without leaving architects waiting for answers.

Will it generate leads?
Absolutely. When the AI can’t complete a task — or when a user explicitly requests a human — it hands off the conversation with all the context preserved. This generates qualified leads from users who’ve already engaged with your content and are actively specifying. Leads come through more naturally than gated downloads or web forms, and are enriched by the questions already asked.

How is this different from traditional contact forms or CPD funnels?
Contact forms are passive. They rely on the architect being ready to ask for help, often after struggling to find answers on their own. An AI Spec Rep flips that — offering help at the start, not the end. It turns documentation into a dialogue, helps qualify interest through natural questions, and removes friction from the engagement process. CPDs are still valuable, but they happen once. Your AI Spec Rep supports the day-to-day decisions between CPDs.

Will this reduce product substitution or specification leakage?
Yes. One of the biggest drivers of substitution is confusion or delay. When architects can’t get timely answers, they move on — often to a better-supported competitor. By making your information instantly available, clear, and compliant, you reduce ambiguity and reinforce your product’s suitability at every step. That increases the chance your product stays on the drawings — and makes it through to procurement.-up is needed.

AI Capability & Features

What can SpecRep.ai actually do?
SpecRep.ai gives you a trained AI Spec Rep — a digital agent that can:

  • Answer architectural questions about your products

  • Share and explain documents like install guides or compliance certificates

  • Clarify project suitability and performance characteristics

  • Support specification decisions based on practical constraints

  • Escalate to your team when needed
    It’s more than a chatbot — it’s an embedded, always-on extension of your technical support team.

How is it trained?
Your AI Spec Rep is trained using the documents you provide: brochures, technical sheets, install guides, compliance certificates, and explanatory content. The agent draws directly from this source material when answering questions. It doesn’t guess — it reflects the information you’ve approved, framed in a way architects can easily use.

Can it interpret Codemark certificates or NCC clauses?
Yes. If your product has a Codemark certificate, the AI can reference the certificate number, explain what it applies to, and surface the document for download. It can also discuss general NCC-aligned concepts like building classifications and performance requirements — based on the way your documents describe them. Where more specific interpretation is required, the AI offers to escalate the query to your team.

Can it recommend specific products based on project needs?
Yes. If an architect is looking for a solution with particular attributes — like fire rating, acoustic performance, or suitability for aged care — your AI Spec Rep can help guide them to the most appropriate system or variant from your range. When accessed via the SRHD platform, this process often begins with the SRHD Concierge and seamlessly transitions into your branded AI agent.

Does it improve over time?
Yes. You’ll gain visibility into what architects are asking, which queries lead to downloads or handovers, and where additional content could improve clarity. This feedback loop allows your AI Spec Rep to evolve alongside your product range and the needs of your specifier audience.

Compliance & Documentation

Can the AI explain our compliance documents to architects?
Yes. Your AI Spec Rep can identify, reference, and explain documents like Codemark certificates, fire tests, or installation guides — as long as they’ve been provided as part of the training material. It can describe what a certificate applies to, clarify general limitations, and offer guidance on when a product is likely suitable. This helps architects move forward confidently while reducing unnecessary follow-up requests.

What if we update our documentation — like an EPD or fire test?
New documents can be added to your agent at any time. Once uploaded, the AI will begin referencing the latest version immediately. Whether it’s a revised EPD, updated fire performance data, or a new brochure layout, the agent ensures architects always have access to the most current technical information — without needing to dig through outdated folders or forms.

Will the AI give out the wrong advice?
While your AI Spec Rep is built to be accurate, it’s important to acknowledge that AI systems can still make mistakes. The AI draws from your approved documents and is designed to avoid guessing — but it may occasionally misinterpret a query or miss a nuance if the underlying material is ambiguous or incomplete. To mitigate this:

  • The AI reflects what’s in your documents — no more, no less

  • It flags uncertainty when confidence is low

  • It avoids generating unsupported claims

  • It offers to escalate queries to your team when needed
    This safeguards both the architect and your brand, while keeping the experience helpful and responsive.

How do we ensure it stays compliant?
Your documentation is the foundation. The clearer and more structured your compliance materials are — including certifications, performance claims, and limitations — the more reliably the AI can reflect them. We support you in formatting that material for clarity and AI-readability, and we continually monitor for edge cases where human follow-up may be needed.

Can it send the architect a document?
Yes. The AI Spec Rep can send direct links to install guides, test reports, certificates, and brochures — either in the chat itself or via a follow-up email, depending on your setup. This turns your technical documents into actionable resources, readily available when decisions are being made.

Spec Rep Help Desk (SRHD)

What is the Spec Rep Help Desk (SRHD)?
The Spec Rep Help Desk (SRHD) is the central, architect-facing platform where AI Spec Reps from multiple suppliers are hosted, discovered, and used. It allows architects to search based on real project needs — such as fire rating, acoustic performance, or building class — and instantly engage with the AI agents behind each brand. SRHD is designed as a trusted, neutral destination that supports real-time specification decision-making.

How does being listed on SRHD help our brand?
SRHD puts your AI Spec Rep in front of architects during the decision-making process. When a user types a query like “Group 1 fire-rated ceiling for aged care,” the SRHD Concierge interprets the project constraints and guides the architect to relevant suppliers. If your product fits, your AI Spec Rep becomes part of the conversation — answering questions, sharing documents, and reinforcing your suitability. It ensures you’re visible and trusted exactly when it matters.

What if our competitors are listed too?
That’s a strength, not a weakness. SRHD reflects how architects actually work — comparing options, clarifying details, and narrowing choices under pressure. The brands that respond clearly and helpfully in this context are the ones that win trust. With a well-trained AI Spec Rep, you’re not just visible — you’re useful, timely, and easy to specify. This reinforces your competitive advantage in a way that complements broader brand-building efforts.

Can our AI Spec Rep appear both on our website and SRHD?
Yes. Every AI Spec Rep is dual-deployed:

  • On your own website, where it supports architects already exploring your brand

  • On the SRHD platform, where it’s surfaced in response to constraint-based searches and category exploration
    Both versions use the same training, same documents, and same voice — giving your team full control over the experience while expanding your reach.

Who is promoting SRHD to architects?
SRHD is promoted through the Built Environment Channel (BEC) — a cutting-edge platform that reaches over 8,000 Australian architects daily in their offices. BEC’s digital screen network has revolutionised how brands stay top of mind for architects and build trust inside the practice. SRHD is positioned as the next layer in that journey — moving from awareness to action by enabling instant product clarification and specification support.

Use Cases & Real Scenarios

What might a typical architect interaction look like?
An architect might open SRHD and type: “I need a ceiling system for an aged care facility that’s Group 1 fire rated and handles humidity.”
The SRHD Concierge asks clarifying questions, determines that it’s likely a Class 9c building under the NCC, and identifies the relevant performance requirements. If your product meets those needs, the architect is guided to your AI Spec Rep — which can:

  • Confirm performance attributes

  • Provide compliance documentation

  • Explain any limitations

  • Offer to connect the architect to your team
    It’s a live, contextual, decision-support experience — not just a passive product listing.

How do architects use it during project documentation?
During the documentation phase, architects often need to verify compliance, clarify installation details, and justify product choices. Instead of emailing your team or hunting through PDFs, they can ask your AI Spec Rep:

  • “Can this be used in a Class 2 building?”

  • “What’s the acoustic rating in Rw?”

  • “Does it have a Codemark certificate?”
    The AI can answer directly, send the right documents, and reduce delays or misunderstandings — helping your product stay specified.

Can it help during tendering or substitution?
Yes. Tender and construction phases often trigger questions like, “Is this equivalent?” or “Does this product meet the NCC for this use?”
Your AI Spec Rep can clarify performance claims, explain the test data, and share relevant certificates. This makes your documentation available at the moment it’s needed — helping to prevent unnecessary substitutions and support contractors or consultants in making informed decisions.

How would an architect use it after hours or on site?
Architects often work late or review details during site inspections — and don’t always have time to call. If your AI Spec Rep is embedded on your site or linked via QR code from a brochure or sample, they can access it instantly from a phone or tablet to:

  • Check install procedures

  • Find certification documents

  • Resolve a spec query on the spot
    This turns your product into a self-supporting system, available 24/7 wherever it’s needed.

Can it work alongside our human spec reps?
Yes — it’s designed to. Your AI Spec Rep handles the routine, repetitive queries, freeing your team to focus on complex conversations and relationship building. When escalation is needed, the AI can hand over the full conversation thread to your team — ensuring the context is preserved and the transition is seamless. It doesn’t replace your reps — it amplifies them.

Integrations & Access Points

Can we use QR codes to connect physical brochures or samples to our AI Spec Rep?
Yes. Your AI Spec Rep can be accessed instantly via QR codes placed on brochures, packaging, product samples, or displays. This gives architects, builders, and site teams the ability to scan and open your digital product expert — anytime, anywhere — to ask questions, download documents, or clarify installation or compliance details on the spot.

Can it be embedded into our website or product pages?
Absolutely. Your AI Spec Rep can be embedded as a chat widget or integrated into specific product pages, helping site visitors get answers instantly without needing to navigate away or wait for a callback. It’s particularly effective in converting passive website visits into qualified specification enquiries — especially when used on high-intent pages like "Architects & Specifiers" or technical downloads.

Can it integrate with our CRM or website forms?
Not directly. Instead, the AI Spec Rep generates structured email enquiries when a user requests a document, asks for a rep, or initiates a follow-up. These emails can be routed through your existing CRM or enquiry handling process — just like any other inbound lead — with no custom integration required. This keeps your internal systems simple while still capturing high-value interactions.

Does it work in tools lik Revit or Archicad?
While it doesn’t embed directly within CAD or BIM software, your AI Spec Rep can be linked from Revit family metadata, specification sheets, or digital drawing annotations. This allows architects to access product guidance or installation instructions without leaving their design environment — making your product support one click away from where it’s being used.

Is mobile or app-based access possible?
Yes. The AI Spec Rep is fully responsive and designed for use on phones and tablets. Whether it’s opened via your website, the SRHD platform, or a QR code on a brochure or product label, the experience is optimised for mobile — making it easy to access during site visits, team meetings, or late-night documentation sessions.

Pricing and Inclusions

How much does it cost?
Pricing depends on where you’d like your AI Spec Rep deployed, with a clear one-off setup fee and a monthly subscription:

  • One-time setup fee: $1,000 + GST (includes training and onboarding)

  • Monthly – SRHD only: $1,000 + GST

  • Monthly – SRHD + your website: $1,500 + GST

Each plan includes platform access, ongoing content updates, and performance monitoring — with predictable monthly billing.

Are there usage limits?
Yes. Each AI Spec Rep includes 10,000 credits per month — enough to support a high volume of architect interactions. If usage exceeds that limit, additional credits can be purchased at a rate of $30 per 1,000 credits. Most suppliers find the included allowance more than sufficient for typical monthly traffic.

What’s included in the setup?
The setup fee includes:

  • A full training period using your documentation

  • Custom response tuning and escalation logic

  • Brand tone configuration and risk-aware prompting

  • QA testing and internal performance review

  • Deployment to SRHD and/or your website

  • Support to prepare your documentation and structure your content

This is a once-off cost. Ongoing support and updates are included in your monthly subscription.

Is SRHD access part of the package?
Yes. All AI Spec Reps are hosted on the SRHD platform with a dedicated supplier page and full integration into SRHD Concierge search. This ensures your product is surfaced in context when architects are specifying by project need.

Are there additional fees for updates or document uploads?
No. Your monthly subscription includes unlimited content updates. As your product range evolves or documentation is revised, we’ll update your AI Spec Rep to reflect the changes — ensuring it always speaks from the most current material.

Is there a trial or pilot program available?
Yes. Trial programs may be available for selected BEC advertisers and early adopters. These give you the opportunity to evaluate performance before scaling across your full range. Contact Spec Up to learn more about current pilot offers.

Getting Started

What’s the first step to getting set up?
Once you confirm your deployment option (SRHD only or SRHD + your website), we begin a structured two-part training process to build your AI Spec Rep. You’ll provide access to your current documentation — brochures, datasheets, install guides, and certificates — and we’ll take it from there.

What does the training process involve?
Training happens in two parts:

  • Part 1: We use your existing website and documentation to build a working version of your AI Spec Rep. This includes all core product data, compliance content, and downloads.

  • Part 2: Your internal specification or technical team tests the agent in a private environment. You’ll ask real-world questions and help identify how each one should ideally be answered. This feedback is used to refine responses and build a bank of “perfect answer” results.

Only once both stages are complete — and you’re confident in how the agent responds — do we move to deployment.

How long does setup take?
Most deployments take 2–3 weeks depending on the complexity of your content and availability of your team during the Part 2 review. We’ll manage the process and keep you informed along the way — from content intake to launch readiness.

Do we need to restructure our documents before submitting them?
No. We’ll work with your content as it is — and guide you on any refinements that could help improve clarity, discoverability, or compliance framing. Most suppliers begin with existing brochures, test reports, and website content.

Who do we talk to if we want to move forward?
You can contact the Spec Up team for a walkthrough, proposal, or to initiate onboarding. Whether you’re ready to start or just want to understand what’s involved, we’ll guide you through each step.