Request for Information

A formal written question from a contractor to the architect or engineer seeking clarification on ambiguous, conflicting, or incomplete information in the construction documents.

What is a Request for Information?

A request for information (RFI) is a formal written communication from a contractor to the architect or engineer asking for clarification, interpretation, or additional information about the construction documents. RFIs are used when the contractor encounters ambiguity, conflicting details, missing information, or conditions in the field that differ from what the documents show.

When RFIs Are Issued

Common triggers for RFIs include: dimensions or details that conflict between different drawings, unclear or incomplete specifications, field conditions that differ from the drawings (such as existing utilities not shown on plans), coordination conflicts between architectural, structural, and MEP systems, and situations where multiple interpretations of the documents are possible.

The RFI Process

The contractor prepares the RFI describing the question or issue, typically referencing specific drawing sheets, detail numbers, or specification sections. The RFI is submitted to the architect through the general contractor's project management system. The architect reviews the question — consulting with other design team members as needed — and provides a written response. If the response involves changes to the construction documents, a formal revision or change order may follow.

RFI Management

Large commercial projects can generate hundreds of RFIs. Timely responses are critical because unanswered RFIs can delay construction work. Many construction contracts specify response time requirements (commonly 7-10 business days). Excessive RFIs may indicate deficiencies in the construction documents, coordination issues between design disciplines, or the need for additional design clarification.