Construction submittals require a lot of effort, but there can be some great benefits.

Almost everyone winces a little when you hear the word submittals. We think bak to those times stuffing reams of paper into books to submit for review and wonder why we are doing it.

Are they a waste of time? My short answer is Yes for a standard product and generic information and no for project specific items like steel shop drawings.

1. Why we do submittals
   1. Theory is to provide information so that designers know we are doing the right thing with the right materials
   2. The reality is there is a disconnect and normally we are just stuffing a bunch of paper into a binder. The only submittals that are truly needed are design related items liek steel shop drawings, items where a selection needs to be made like finishes and anytime the contractor wants to use something that is different from what is specified.
   3. There is a lot of time and effort put into something that delivers limited results
      1. If the product or procedures are standard and meet the design then it shouldn’t need a submittal
      2. if it is specific to the project, requires design or choices, deviates from design then submit
2. The above is the ideal but until then make the best of it
   1. Use the submittals to clean-up details the way you want to do them
   2. Submit the products that you want to use, even if it’s a deviation
   3. Use the process to save time, effort, money and improve the constructability
3. Do them right
   1. If you have to do it then do it right
   2. Get an ROI on your time
   3. You can pay for the extra effort with the savings you realize

Key Questions:

1. Do you have the right approach to submittals?

2. Are you handling them efficiently and effectively?

3. Are you controlling your project with submittals?

Take-Action Items:

1. Use the submittal process as a way to control your project