What Is a Construction RFI and Why Does It Matter?

A resident of San Ramon, California, Timothy Mahoney serves as project superintendent for Fine Line Construction Co., in San Francisco. In this capacity, Timothy Mahoney of San Ramon handles all construction activities for the company, including change orders, scheduling, and RFIs.

In construction, an RFI, or request for information, clarifies any gaps or uncertainties that are not cleared up in construction plans, contracts, specifications, and other documents. RFIs are an essential component in communicating project scope and requirements between everyone involved, and can be drafted at any stage of a construction project, including during the final phase of construction or before quoting.

Although creating an accurate RFI can be time-consuming, having such a document in place eliminates many costly and time-consuming actions that may be otherwise necessary during the life of the project. For instance, an RFI that makes design clarifications can address incomplete plans or potential design conflicts. Meanwhile, RFIs may also provide information about constructability issues relating to the proposed project, or request that certain materials be substituted in the building process.

Most RFIs are submitted to the designer, client, or other party who provided the document by a subcontractor or general contractor. The receiving party then responds to the contractor’s request for information that answers whatever question they posed.

What’s the Difference Between a Contractor and a Subcontractor?

Timothy Mahoney, a resident of San Ramon, California, has been working in the construction industry for more than four decades. The project superintendent at Fine Line Construction Company, Timothy Mahoney of San Ramon handles all construction matters, including scheduling and coordinating subcontractors.

On a construction site, both subcontractors and contractors, or general contractors, are essential for finishing a project on budget and on time. Yet, despite having differing roles, many people conflate these two professionals.

General contractors operate at a level above subcontractors. They are either companies or individuals that are hired for different construction projects. While the specific duties of a contractor do vary from job to job, they are generally responsible for coordinating the project. This includes supplying the necessary equipment and materials to complete the project. Furthermore, contractors may be responsible for applying for permits, maintaining site security, and providing on-site utilities.

Meanwhile, subcontractors are professionals hired by the general contractor to perform specialized tasks and jobs around the site, such as plumbing or painting. Depending on the subcontractors' skills, they will be hired to complete either a small or large project, or be involved with the entire construction project. Similar to contractors, subcontractors may also operate as a company or individual, but they specialize in a specific area of construction.