In commercial construction, communication is everything.

The most successful projects don’t just come from clean drawings or tight budgets—they come from clear alignment between the owner, general contractor, architect, engineers, and design team. And two of the most important tools for maintaining that alignment are RFIs (Requests for Information) and submittals.

What Is an RFI, Really?

An RFI isn’t a sign that something’s gone wrong—and it’s definitely not a reflection of inexperience.

At Brien Contracting, we often hear clients ask:
“Why are there so many RFIs? Shouldn’t the plans cover this?”

Here’s the truth: a well-written RFI usually reflects experience, not a lack of it. It shows that our field team is catching a potential conflict between the plans and real-world conditions before it causes a costly mistake or delay.

An RFI (request for information) is a question or clarification request submitted to the architect and/or design team (and sometimes the owner) when something in the plans, specs, or site conditions needs to be confirmed. It’s how we ensure everyone is operating with the same understanding—and how we protect your timeline and budget in the process.

Real Example: Why RFIs Matter

Subject: Business Rooms A & B Ceiling Height
Question:
During a site walk, our team noted that ceiling framing was visible from the exterior at two office spaces. To ensure a clean visual and consistent height with nearby rooms, we asked if we could raise the ceiling and modify the grid layout.

Designer’s Response:
The original intent was to retain the ceiling height at 9′-0″. However, they offered a design solution to modify the ceiling grid using a similar detail from another area of the building.

The result?
A coordinated adjustment that aligned with design intent and preserved the clean finish the client expected. No rework. No delays. No surprises.

What About Submittals?

While RFIs are typically questions, submittals are confirmations. They’re the detailed product data, shop drawings, finish samples, and cut sheets we send to the architect or design team for approval before anything is fabricated, purchased or installed.

Submittals serve as a final check between what’s in the drawings and what’s actually being built. They’re how we make sure the tile matches the spec, the structural connection meets engineering requirements, and the millwork details line up with your vision.

Timing Is Everything

At Brien Contracting, we pride ourselves on issuing RFIs within the day it is discovered. That keeps decisions flowing and teams moving.

But we can’t do it alone. We ask all partners—designers, architects, engineers, suppliers, clients—to return responses with the same urgency. Why? Because late RFI or submittal responses can lead to:

• Scope gaps
  
• Trade rework
  
• Material delays
  
• Project schedule impacts
  

In short: delays on paper often become delays in the field.

RFIs and Submittals = Project Control

When used correctly, RFIs and submittals aren’t just documentation. They’re control systems. They keep your project aligned, protect quality, and give the entire team a clear record of what was asked, decided, and approved.

So the next time an RFI crosses your inbox, don’t ignore it—lean into it. It means someone’s doing the hard work of asking the right questions, at the right time, for the good of the project.

Want to See How Brien Handles Complexity?

Learn more about our approach to commercial tenant improvements and client partnerships on our Portfolio page.