The purpose of submittals in construction
The submittal workflow in construction provides a range of documents and samples. They ensure the products and materials used or installed on the project adhere to all relevant specifications, codes and standards. Design professionals, owners, contractors, suppliers, engineers and construction managers receive these documents. The submittal process helps provide a high-quality standard throughout the construction phase. It allows you to identify and resolve potential issues quickly before construction begins. It’s there to help project managers ensure construction can proceed up to standard. Effective project management is key to streamlining this process. A submittal in construction can include documents like:- product specifications
- material safety data sheets (MSDS)
- safety data sheets (SDS)
- warranty certificates
- physical product samples for materials
- the owner’s manual and similar documents
Understanding the submittal workflow process
Contractors interested in bidding on a project have to review the documents and conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the project. This includes estimating staff, materials, apparatus, overhead expenses and margin expenses. They may contact subcontractors and suppliers to obtain accurate estimates for certain aspects of the project. The submittal workflow can include the following steps:- Before submitting any submittals, the contractor looks at all the relevant contract documents, including schematics, plans and timelines. It helps them identify the specific requirements and create an appropriate solution.
- The general contractor must create and adhere to a submittal schedule, which lists all the necessary documents, samples and other information required from subcontractors and suppliers.
- The general contractor, subcontractors, and suppliers must prepare the necessary submittals to be submitted, such as shop drawings, product data, material samples and other vital documents. Subcontractors may submit a construction RFI to get clarity on the project. This can sometimes be the cause of delays.
- Before sending it to the design team or construction manager, the contractor reviews the submittals to ensure all contract documents meet the requirements.
- The design team, engineers, architects, and construction manager takes a detailed look at the submittals to make sure that the project meets all specifications, regulations and standards. Depending on their findings, they may approve, reject or ask for revisions or extra information.
- After the approval, the general contractor will send the submittals to subcontractors and suppliers. This ensures that the project uses only authorized products and materials.
- The contractor takes an accurate log of all submittals. This process allows them to track progress and verify that everything is submitted, reviewed and approved in a reasonable time frame.
The importance of submittals in construction
The submittal workflow in construction is important because it creates a consistent process. Management of this process will reduce the risks for project teams, contractors and stakeholders involved in a project. Fewer errors in this process ensure your construction can move forward smoothly. Managing the approval process for a construction project with digital construction management software makes that process even easier.- You can enjoy a better organizational system, allowing you to track each submittal’s status and history and highlight potential bottlenecks or issues. Consequently, it becomes much easier to get them reviewed and approved quickly.
- Construction submittal software improves communication between team members. RedTeam Flex simplifies reviewing, sharing and commenting on submittals, eliminating misunderstandings, rework or delays.
- Automated tracking and notifications of submittals supported through construction submittal software can be a real asset. The feature keeps all stakeholders in the loop and sends them alerts regarding due dates, reviews or approvals related to submittals. This helps keep the submission process on schedule and makes sure that all parties are informed of the project’s progress.
- Cloud-based submittal software enables teams to collaborate simultaneously from any location. This increases productivity and speeds up the review and approval process. This enhanced collaboration helps streamline workflows and gets tasks completed faster.
- Construction management software for submittals often includes reporting and analytics features. These features enable you to track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to the submittal process. Subsequently, helping you identify areas for improvement and optimization of the process over time.
- Implementing software to streamline the submittal process can help you save time. It reduces the risk of delays, errors and reworks, resulting in a smoother project with better output.
Submittal workflow best practices
Are you wondering what you can do to improve and better manage the submittal workflow you have? Here are some quick tips:- Create a custom submittal workflow. Sticking to a rigid template won’t work for your project’s needs. When choosing a submittal management solution, choose one that can give you the flexibility you need.
- Make sure the solution you choose can share documents easily. This means having a user-friendly interface, an easy onboarding process and a streamlined communication system accessible in one place.
- Cloud-based software is the way to go for teams that need to access and update submittal information while reducing delays. It promotes fast collaboration and allows everyone to make changes from any device at any time. This is important so contractors on-site can retrieve information and construction documents easily and hassle-free.
- Software solutions allow general contractors to quickly and easily access information from submittal responses given by the architect or owner. When navigating change orders or legal action, this can provide invaluable information to the team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of submittals in construction?
The purpose of submittals in construction is to provide a range of documents and samples. This ensures that the products and materials used in the project meet all relevant specifications, codes and standards. The submittal process helps maintain high-quality standards by identifying and resolving potential issues before construction begins.
Q: What documents are typically included in a construction submittal?
A construction submittal can include various documents such as product specifications, material safety data sheets (MSDS), safety data sheets (SDS), warranty certificates, physical product samples for materials and owner’s manuals. These documents help ensure compliance with project specifications and standards.
Q: Why is submittal workflow management important in construction?
Submittal workflow management is crucial in construction because it creates a consistent process that reduces risks for project teams, contractors and stakeholders. Effective management of this process minimizes errors and ensures the project can proceed smoothly, saving time and money.
Q: How does construction submittal software improve the submittal process?
Construction submittal software improves the process by enhancing communication between team members, automating tracking and notifications and enabling cloud-based collaboration. This software makes it easier to review, share and comment on submittals, reducing misunderstandings, rework and delays.
Q: What are the key steps in the submittal workflow process?
The submittal workflow process involves several key steps. Start by reviewing all relevant contract documents. Then, create a submittal schedule and adhere to it. Prepare necessary submittals, such as shop drawings, product data and material samples. Next, review the submittals to ensure they comply with contract requirements. The design team, engineers and construction manager perform a detailed review. Once approved, send the submittals to subcontractors and suppliers. Finally, log all submittals to track progress and ensure they’re reviewed and approved on time.
Q: What are some best practices for managing submittal workflows?
There are several best practices for managing submittal workflows. Start by creating a custom submittal workflow tailored to the project’s needs. Choose a solution that allows for easy document sharing. Use cloud-based software for real-time updates and collaboration. Ensure the software provides easy access to submittal responses for quick decision-making.
Q: How can digital construction management software help in managing submittals?
Digital construction management software helps in managing submittals by providing features for automated tracking, notifications, reporting and analytics. These features keep stakeholders informed, highlight potential bottlenecks, track key performance indicators (KPIs) and identify areas for improvement, leading to optimized submittal processes.
Q: What are the benefits of using cloud-based submittal software?
The benefits of using cloud-based submittal software include increased productivity, faster review and approval processes, enhanced collaboration from any location and seamless access to updated information. This ensures that all team members can work efficiently and stay informed about the project’s progress.
Q: How does submittal management software facilitate better communication?
Submittal management software facilitates better communication by simplifying the reviewing, sharing and commenting processes. It eliminates misunderstandings and delays by providing a centralized platform where all project stakeholders can collaborate and access the necessary information in real-time.
Q: What role does submittal tracking play in construction project management?
Submittal tracking plays a crucial role in construction project management by ensuring that all documents and samples are reviewed and approved in a timely manner. It helps project managers keep the project on schedule, reduces the risk of delays and errors and ensures that only authorized products and materials are used in the construction.
