AI-generated illustrative design concept; not a completed CBD Projects project, approved drawing or technical compliance detail.
A material sample shows a finish in isolation. A mock-up can reveal how that finish meets another material, how lighting changes its appearance and whether the detail can be built consistently. Use it where a decision is difficult to reverse or will be repeated many times across a project.
Define what the mock-up must prove, build it with representative materials and conditions, then record a precise acceptance decision. Keep design approval, workmanship review and any required technical verification distinct.
Select the details worth testing
Prioritise unusual junctions, repeated joinery, complex lighting details and highly visible finish transitions. Consider cost, repetition and the difficulty of later repair. Not every simple detail needs a full-size prototype, but a small sample may be insufficient for a critical interface.
State the purpose before fabrication. A colour review, operational trial and installation-method review require different mock-ups. Avoid spending time on a display piece that cannot answer the actual project question.
Make the conditions representative
Use the proposed materials, substrate, hardware and finishing method wherever those affect the decision. Include relevant lighting and adjacent finishes for an appearance review. Identify any differences between the mock-up and final construction.
For a counter, demonstrate openings, edge details and equipment interfaces. For a wall panel, show joints and corners rather than only a flat centre section. Technical performance still requires the appropriate design, product evidence and testing; a convincing appearance does not prove compliance.
Agree who reviews what
Invite the client representative, designer, contractor and relevant specialists according to the review purpose. Provide drawings and a checklist in advance. Record whether comments concern appearance, function, workmanship or a technical issue requiring further review.
Do not let one person's colour acceptance become an assumed sign-off for concealed fixings or system performance. Use a clear approval scope. Where the contract defines particular review procedures, follow those rather than relying on an informal site conversation.
Record the accepted reference
Give the mock-up a reference, date and revision. Photograph it, list materials and record the decision with conditions and outstanding actions. Keep a physical reference where useful and protect it from accidental alteration.
If revisions are requested, state whether the item must be rebuilt or whether a specific correction can be reviewed separately. Link changes to the material-substitution process and updated shop drawings when applicable.
Check production against the reference
Use the accepted mock-up during the first production inspection, not only at final snagging. Compare workmanship, dimensions and material consistency before the detail is repeated throughout the site. Record departures and the agreed corrective action.
Do not assume acceptance excuses later defects or changes the contractual responsibilities without an agreed basis. The mock-up is a communication and quality-control tool. Its value lies in resolving a specific uncertainty early and giving the team a shared reference for the remaining work.
Frequently asked questions
Is a finish sample the same as a mock-up?
No. A sample usually represents a material or finish; a mock-up can test an assembled detail, function or workmanship.
Does mock-up approval confirm all technical compliance?
No. The review scope must be explicit, and applicable engineering, product and authority requirements still need their own verification.
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