The Power of Submittals in Construction: What You Need to Know

Introduction

Imagine you’re on a construction site. Things are buzzing—machines roaring, workers hammering, cranes swinging—and it all seems like it's moving perfectly.
Then suddenly, a problem pops up. The wrong material gets installed because someone skipped an approval step.
Boom. Work stops. Deadlines get pushed. Tempers flare.

The root of it? A missed submittal.

Submittals might sound boring compared to the heavy lifting on site, but trust me, they are the backbone of a smooth project. If you don't know what they are (or you think they're just "extra paperwork"), let’s clear it up right now.

So, What is a Submittal, Anyway?

In simple words, a submittal is just a fancy way of saying "Here's what we're planning to use. Is it okay?"

Before anything big gets installed—be it steel beams, windows, or even the type of flooring—contractors send these documents (or samples) to the architect or engineer. It's their way of double-checking that the materials, products, and designs match what everyone agreed to.

It’s kinda like showing your boss your work before you hit "submit" on a major project.
No submittals = a lot more oops moments that could cost thousands (or even millions).

Types of Submittals You Should Know

There’s no "one-size-fits-all" when it comes to submittals. They come in a few flavors, and each plays a part:

• Shop Drawings:
  These are detailed, zoomed-in drawings. Instead of the big master blueprint, these show exactly how specific parts (like staircases, windows, piping) will be made and installed.
  
  
• Product Data:
  This includes the technical stuff about the materials—like what the product is made of, size, weight, how it performs, and how to install it.
  
  
• Samples:
  You might get an actual piece of carpet, tile, or fabric. It's a "touch and feel" check to make sure everyone agrees on the look and quality before it’s used all over the site.
  
  
• Certificates and Test Reports:
  These are proof that the stuff you're using meets industry standards. No one wants to find out after a building’s done that the steel beams were subpar.
  
  

Each type keeps the project on track and makes sure you're building with the right stuff, not just whatever showed up on the truck.

Why Submittals Matter So Much

You might be thinking:
"Okay, sounds important...but is it that serious?"

Short answer? Yes.

Here’s why:

• Quality Control:
  Submittals make sure no surprises pop up when materials show up on site. No one likes a shock when 500 feet of the wrong tiles arrive.
  
  
• Speeding Up Approvals:
  It’s way easier (and faster) to approve everything up front than scramble to fix mistakes later.
  
  
• Fewer Fights and Delays:
  If something goes wrong and you didn’t get approvals properly, guess what? The blame game starts. Submittals help keep things crystal clear.
  
  

Bottom line: Submittals aren’t just a checkbox thing. They save time, money, and a lot of stress.

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The Submittal Process: Step-by-Step

Here’s how it usually goes:

1. Contractor Prepares It:
   They gather the shop drawings, product sheets, or samples.
   
   
2. Send to Architect/Engineer:
   They look it over and either approve it, approve it with changes, or send it back saying "Nope, try again."
   
   
3. Contractor Gets the Green Light:
   Once it’s approved, they can order the materials or start that part of the work.
   
   

These days, platforms like Procore make it 100x easier. You don’t need to chase papers around; everything is uploaded, tracked, and approved online.
It's one less headache for everyone involved.

Conclusion

If you want your construction project to stay smooth (and sane), you’ve gotta master submittals.

It’s not the flashiest part of the job. You won’t be posting pictures of submittals on Instagram. But ignoring them? That’s just asking for trouble.

The faster and cleaner your submittal process is, the fewer mistakes and delays you’ll deal with later.
So stay on top of it, stay organized, and remember—great buildings start with great paperwork.

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FAQ's

What exactly is a submittal in construction?
A submittal is a document, drawing, sample, or product detail that contractors send to architects or engineers for approval before materials are ordered or installed. It confirms that what will be used matches the project requirements.

Why are submittals so important?
They prevent wrong materials, design mismatches, and costly rework. Submittals catch problems early, long before installation happens, which protects the schedule and budget.

What types of submittals are usually required?
Shop drawings, product data, samples, certificates, and test reports. Each one verifies a different part of the material or design so the team knows exactly what’s coming to the site.

Who is responsible for preparing and reviewing submittals?
Contractors prepare them. Architects or engineers review and approve them. Subcontractors often help generate product data or shop drawings, but the main responsibility sits with the contractor.

How does a digital submittal process help?
Platforms like Procore keep everything organized in one place, reduce paperwork, track approvals automatically, and eliminate lost documents. Teams move faster and avoid miscommunication.

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