What term describes a formal request used to clarify discrepancies between shop drawings and field conditions?

What term describes a formal request used to clarify discrepancies between shop drawings and field conditions?

• A. RFI
• B. Change order
• C. Submittal
• D. Field order

Answer: (A)

Requests for Information are used to resolve mismatches between design/shop drawings and what’s actually found in the field. When a contractor encounters a difference between the shop drawings and field conditions, they submit a formal RFI to the design professional to obtain clarification before proceeding. The answer from the design team may confirm the original intent, provide revised drawings, or add guidance needed to align work with the project requirements, helping prevent costly rework. Change orders handle changes to scope, price, or schedule, not simply questions about how to interpret drawings. Submittals are the documents sent for approval before fabrication or installation, and field orders are on-site directions for immediate work; neither are the standard mechanism for clarifying drawing-field discrepancies.

Requests for Information are used to resolve mismatches between design/shop drawings and what’s actually found in the field. When a contractor encounters a difference between the shop drawings and field conditions, they submit a formal RFI to the design professional to obtain clarification before proceeding. The answer from the design team may confirm the original intent, provide revised drawings, or add guidance needed to align work with the project requirements, helping prevent costly rework. Change orders handle changes to scope, price, or schedule, not simply questions about how to interpret drawings. Submittals are the documents sent for approval before fabrication or installation, and field orders are on-site directions for immediate work; neither are the standard mechanism for clarifying drawing-field discrepancies.