103.1 The Anatomy of an Airtight RFI
A vague RFI is one of the fastest ways to stall a job. When questions lack precise references or context, they lead to endless back-and-forth, delayed responses, and lost time in the field. Writing a disciplined, professional RFI ensures the design team understands the conflict immediately, knows who to contact, and can issue a definitive answer on the first pass. Watch the walkthrough above for a breakdown of the key elements every RFI should include: 1. Specific Subject Line: Avoid generic titles like "Framing Conflict." State the exact issue, trade, and location up front so the reviewer immediately understands the urgency and scope. 2. Exact Sheet and Detail References: Pinpoint the exact drawing numbers (such as A2.0 or A2.10) and detail callouts involved. Always attach visual drawing snips so the design team sees exactly what your team sees. 3. Background and Prior Context: Note any relevant context from previous meetings or conversations with the architect or engineer, ensuring critical background information does not get lost across handoffs. 4. Specific, Numbered Questions: Break down what you need into clear, numbered questions, citing relevant specification sections and sheet numbers directly to eliminate ambiguity. 5. Discipline Assignment and GC Contact: Route the RFI to the correct discipline (architectural, structural, MEP) and clearly identify the primary point of contact on the general contractor team. 6. Track Impacts Early: Use your software to log potential cost and schedule impacts from day one so changes are documented before they affect your margins.