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Construction RFI (Request for Information)

A construction RFI form for asking the architect or engineer one question, with the drawing reference, a suggested answer, reply deadline and cost impact.

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  • construction
  • rfi
  • design team
  • architect
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About this document

A construction RFI (request for information) is a written question from the contractor to the architect or engineer when the drawings or specifications are unclear, missing or in conflict. The written answer becomes part of the project record.

Send one question per construction RFI and point to the exact sheet, detail or specification section. A construction RFI asks how to build what is designed. If the answer adds cost or time, price the change with a construction change order before the work goes ahead. An RFI answer does not change the contract price by itself, so check your contract's deadline for giving notice of extra cost or time.

How to fill it in

  1. Number and date it. Give the RFI the next number in your log, the date you send it, and the date you need an answer, naming the work that waits on it.
  2. Point to the source. Name the drawing sheet, detail or specification section, describe what you found on site, and attach photos or a marked-up drawing so the designer sees exactly where the question comes from.
  3. Ask one question and suggest an answer. Write one question a designer can answer in a sentence, and offer your suggested solution so a yes or no settles it. Tick whether a late answer delays work or may change cost.
  4. Log the answer and its impact. Record the reply, who gave it and the date, and tick whether it changes cost or time. Start a change order for any change before the work proceeds, and copy affected subcontractors.
Construction RFI (Request for Information)

Request for Information (RFI)

One question to the design team, with the answer and its effect on cost and time

RFI number

[Number]

Project

[Project name]

Date sent

[Date]

Answer needed by

[Date], so that [work] can continue

From

[Name, company, phone, email]

To

[Architect or engineer, company]

Drawing or specification

[Sheet number, detail, or spec section]

Ask one question per RFI, point to exactly where it comes from, and suggest an answer if you have one. A clear, specific RFI gets a faster answer.

Question

[For example: Detail 5/A-501 shows the window head flashing lapping over the air barrier, but spec section 07 27 00 requires the air barrier to lap over the flashing. Which should we follow at the level 2 windows?]

What we found

[Background: the conflict, the site condition, or the missing information, with photos or marked-up drawings attached.]

Suggested answer

[Optional: what you propose and why.]

Effect if not answered by the date above

  • Delays work: [which activity, from when]

  • May change cost or time: [rough amount or days, if known]

  • No effect on cost or schedule

Attachments

[Photos, marked-up drawings]

Response (design team)

[Answer]

Answered by

[Name, company]

Date

[Date]

  • This answer changes cost or time. A change order is needed before the work proceeds.

  • This answer does not change cost or time.

Copies to

[Owner, subcontractors affected, project file]

Page 1 of 1226 words

Frequently asked questions

Does an RFI answer change the contract price?

No, not by itself. An RFI answer clarifies the design. If the answer adds work, cost or time, the change goes through a change order or whatever change process your contract sets. Check the contract's notice deadline, because a claim raised late can be lost.

How long does an architect have to answer an RFI?

No law sets a single deadline. The contract or the project specifications set the response time. Under the AIA A201-2017 general conditions, the architect answers within any agreed time limits or otherwise with reasonable promptness. Put an "answer needed by" date on every RFI so a late reply is on record.

What is the difference between an RFI and a submittal?

An RFI asks the design team a question about the drawings or specifications. A submittal is the contractor's product data, shop drawings or samples showing how it will meet the design, sent for the architect's review before ordering. A submittal should not be used to ask for a design change.

Can a subcontractor send an RFI to the architect?

Usually not directly. A subcontractor's contract is with the general contractor, so the subcontractor sends its question to the general contractor. The general contractor checks it, adds its own RFI number and forwards it to the architect or engineer, then passes the answer back.

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