Submittals

Submittals are documents, samples, and other data that a contractor or subcontractor must submit for review and approval by the design team before procurement or installation. Their purpose is to confirm that proposed products, materials, and workmanship conform to the contract documents, facilitate cross-discipline coordination, and support project scheduling and quality control.

Typical submittal types include shop drawings, product data, and physical or digital samples; mockups for testing portions of work; and operation and maintenance data or warranties. The process usually involves preparing the submittal, submitting it to the architect or engineer for review, and receiving comments or approval. Review periods are defined in the contract and responses may be approved, approved with notes, approved with revisions, or not approved. If revisions are required, a resubmittal is common. Submittals are tracked in a submittal log and tied to the project schedule. Substitutions of specified products may be requested by the contractor and require design professional approval.

Digital tools and BIM workflows are increasingly used to manage submittals. Timely submittals help prevent procurement and construction delays, while late or non-conforming submittals can delay work and affect the timetable. Responsibility for accuracy rests with the contractor and suppliers; design professionals review for conformity with contract documents rather than feasibility.