Understanding Submittals in Construction Projects | Houseura

A submittal is a comprehensive document/sample submitted by the contractor to the architect, engineer or owner to review and approve before work commences or materials ordered. These documents ensure that appropriate products, materials or methods will be applied to the project meeting design intent and specifications contained in the contract documents.

Submittals may be in a variety of forms such as product data sheets, material samples, shop drawings, mock-ups, test reports, and certifications. They act as an interface between the design stage and the real construction and keep everyone on the same page.

What Are Submittals?

• Quality Control: Submittals contend that materials and workmanship are in accordance with the specifications of the project.
• Preventing Delays: By checking through submittals prior to ordering or installing the issues that could arise are identified early.
• Cost Management: eliminates expensive errors through checking of the correct products and quantities.
• Documentation: This is a record of approved materials and methods to be used in the future.

The Submittal Process

Preparation This stage involves the contractor collecting all the necessary documents, drawings and samples according to the project requirements.

• Submission: These are documents to be submitted to the architect or engineer.
• Review and Approval: The design team reviews the submittals to verify that the project requirements have been met and approves, rejects, or requests a modification.
• Resubmission: Once some amendments have to be done, the contractor rewrites the documents and submits them.
• Implementation: The contractor then orders materials or commences work once they have been approved.

Common Types of Submittals

• Product Data: Brochures or Technical data sheets about materials or equipment made by the manufacturer.
• Shop Drawings: Typically detailed drawings of fabrication or installation details.
• Samples: Material or finish samples.
• Mock-ups: Full-size models of part of the work.
• Test Reports: Quality control test or certification.

Submittal Management Best Practices.

• Keep it tidy: Track submissions and approvals in project management software or in a spreadsheet.
• Speak in a Common Language: Keep everyone on schedule and needs.
• Be an Early Start: Make sure to file papers early enough to prevent delays during the construction process.
• Detail-Oriented: See that submittals are full and correct to reduce back-and-forth.

Conclusion

Submittals may look like just a piece of paper work, but such is the basis of any project management in construction. They ensure that the desired design is properly executed and materials used are of the desired quality, which eliminates costly mistakes and losses.

In order to achieve quality in both construction and communication, the process of submittal should be studied and properly managed by construction professionals. At Houseura, we would assist you with the process of streamlining your submittal process to execute your project flawlessly.