An RFI that gets a usable answer.
Vague RFIs get vague answers, or none. This form forces the things a design team needs to respond: exact sheet and spec references, one clear question, a proposed solution and the cost and schedule impact. The log tracks every RFI until it closes.
- Word RFI form
- References & impact
- Excel RFI log
- Days open tracking
Get the template. Free, no sign-up.
Example values are placeholders. Replace them with your own rates, units and company details.
| RFI # | Subject | Reference | Status | Cost impact | Linked CO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RFI-001 | Door 214 hardware set conflict (example) | A-601 / 08 71 00 | Open | Possible | |
| RFI-002 | Beam depth vs. duct (example) | S-201, M-201 | Answered | Yes | CO-002 |
Files open in Excel, Google Sheets, Numbers, Word or Google Docs.
What design teams need to answer fast.
One question per RFI
Bundled questions get partial answers and are hard to track.
Exact references
Sheet, detail, spec section and revision.
A proposed solution
Gives the reviewer something to approve instead of designing from scratch.
Impact stated
Cost and schedule impact flagged up front, so changes are not a surprise later.
Two kinds of RFI.
Bid phaseQuestions before pricing
- Sent through the GC or bid contact
- Answers usually issued as an addendum
- Deadline set in the bid documents
Construction phaseQuestions during the work
- Sent to the design team through the GC
- Answer may lead to an ASI or change order
- Response time often set in the contract
Track RFIs next to the scope they change.
RenderDraw keeps the source sheet on every proposed quantity, so when an RFI answer changes scope you can find the quantities it affects.
- Source on every row. Each proposed quantity keeps the sheet and location it came from.
- Estimator approval before pricing. Your estimator accepts, corrects or rejects proposals; nothing is priced until it is approved.
- Addenda through the same review. Changed sheets go back through takeoff and estimator review.
- Your assemblies, your rates. Approved rows hand off to your assemblies, labor units and pricing inputs.
Rfi construction template, answered.
What should a construction RFI include?
RFI number, date, project, recipient, subject, exact drawing and spec references, one clear question, a proposed solution, cost and schedule impact, attachments, and a space for the response.
Who sends RFIs in construction?
Usually the general contractor, on its own behalf or for a subcontractor, to the architect or engineer. Subcontractors normally route RFIs through the GC.
How long should an RFI response take?
Many contracts set a response time. If yours does not, put a 'response needed by' date on every RFI, based on when the answer affects the work.
What is the difference between an RFI and a change order?
An RFI asks a question. If the answer changes scope, cost or time, the change is formalized in a change order.
Why keep an RFI log?
To track open questions, days outstanding and which answers led to change orders. It is also useful documentation if delays are disputed.
Send one plan set. Judge the result yourself.
A focused, no-obligation evaluation on your own drawings. Your sample files remain private while we assess the request.
- Upload one representative plan set (a legible PDF set is the most reliable starting point), plus an addendum if you have one.
- RenderDraw reviews the set and the scope you want tested.
- We follow up with what was extracted, what was flagged for review, and the most useful next step.