Construction submittals offer project managers, designers and engineers an extra level of detail that allows them to accurately plan timelines of work. In addition, submittals ensure the proper materials and equipment arrive on site prior to beginning construction work.
Although submittals come in various forms, most have similar features that you should keep in mind:
Product data refers to documentation and samples submitted by contractors prior to starting work on a project team. Project stakeholders, usually engineers and architects, review these submittals before beginning construction to ensure the products comply with building codes.
Submittals should include technical data from the manufacturer, drawings and blueprints from various sources. Furthermore, it should clearly identify subcontractors and project managers involved. Finally, reviewers must approve it so fabricators can start fabricating materials immediately.
Construction takeoff estimation software can make this process more efficient by organizing all documents in one location and helping reviewers quickly spot any changes made, as well as keeping track of their comments. Furthermore, certain programs offer multiple reviewers at once viewing this information simultaneously.
Shop drawings are detailed construction diagrams used to facilitate understanding between contractors, fabricators and suppliers about the design intent behind building elements. Shop drawings can be combined with blueprints or other drawings and contain project dimensions, specifications and installation methods for easy reference.
Throughout the construction process, architects and engineering stakeholders review these documents to ensure they meet contract requirements for a project. Furthermore, these files serve as legal documentation in case any disputes or claims arise during its course of construction.
Your submittal needs depend on the nature and scale of the project at hand, but typically will include floor plans, elevations, sections and detail drawings. To streamline this process and avoid confusion on site, invest in software that keeps all these documents together in one location while making it simple for multiple reviewers to markup them concurrently - this will save both time and avoid miscommunication on-site.
Submittals that include material samples such as drywall, paint, flooring materials and sealants allow engineers and architects to see first-hand whether they meet project design requirements.
Technical product data is included with a submittal. This data typically comes directly from the manufacturer and typically covers aspects like warranties, performance stats and dimensions.
Submittals for construction projects are crucial to ensure contractors are adhering to set guidelines, using appropriate products, materials, and fabrication methods on each construction job. They help minimize costly setbacks while meeting project timelines without unnecessary setbacks. Modernizing submittal workflows can streamline this process further, enabling teams to easily and quickly route documents while decreasing error risk. Furthermore, having multiple reviewers working simultaneously may further accelerate this process and ensure all parties involved in your project have access to up-to-date information.
Construction can be an inexact science, with unexpected variables often changing the timeline and budget of projects significantly. Perhaps terrain has shifted since a site survey was taken or there may be new government regulations impacting materials or equipment availability - or perhaps simple human error will deviate from what was planned originally.
As part of an effective cost control and time delay prevention strategy, clients should remain up-to-date and understand all original contract terms. This will reduce disputed change orders that need to be resolved.
Make sure that the submittal software program you choose allows multiple reviewers to simultaneously evaluate one document, then mark it "Reviewed," "Not Approved," or "Approved," so as to avoid costly client disputes, unbilled work and additional back-and-forth between parties. Look for programs which make it simple for you to see which documents have been marked as approved so you can immediately begin working on them.
