Glossary
RFI (Request for Information)
A formal question raised during construction to clarify drawings, specs, or conditions before work proceeds.
An RFI, or Request for Information, is a formal query used in construction to resolve ambiguity or missing detail in the contract documents — drawings, specifications, or site conditions — before the affected work goes ahead.
Typically the contractor or subcontractor raises the RFI, and the architect, engineer, or owner’s team responds. Each one is logged with a number, a question, supporting references, and a required response date.
RFIs matter because an unanswered one can stop work cold. A slow RFI process is one of the most common causes of schedule slippage on a job: the crew is ready, but they’re waiting on an answer.
Keeping RFIs visible — tied to the affected tasks and the people who need to act — is the difference between a quick clarification and a week of standstill. With communication and the plan in one place, an open RFI doesn’t get buried in an inbox while the schedule slips.