{"id":3114,"date":"2017-12-14T11:09:25","date_gmt":"2017-12-14T16:09:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/?p=3114"},"modified":"2026-02-12T05:32:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T10:32:15","slug":"submittals-a-contractors-legal-responsibility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/submittals-a-contractors-legal-responsibility\/","title":{"rendered":"Submittals: A contractor\u2019s legal responsibility"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStrategy, Legal & Operations<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSubmittals: A contractor\u2019s legal responsibility\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"CRE\t\t\t\tAlex Barthet<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Plans and specifications provide a great deal of information about a construction project.  However, there are still many more \u201cmeans and methods\u201d details that are typically left up to the contractor. This is where the submittal of shop drawings, material data, samples, and product data come into play. Submittals are the way contractors can assure that what they propose to do complies with the intent of project architects and engineers as outlined in the contract documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, there are at least three factors contractors must keep in mind when dealing with the submittal process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Timely submittals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most contracts will contain some type of language that requires submittals to be prepared and sent in a timely fashion. Any submittals that delay the performance of other trades or impede work progress could violate the terms of the contract, and trigger a negative consequence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Incomplete or inaccurate submittals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Contractors are also contractually obligated to make sure all submittals are complete and correct before they are submitted. If they are not, the architect or engineer will reject the submittal. But worse, the rejection of submittals can be used to establish poor performance if there is a construction dispute. One metric used by construction lawyers and experts to measure a contractor\u2019s performance is the number of rejected submittals. Double checking the completeness of submittals should minimize this problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A typical provision in contracts reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any submission that in architect\/engineer\u2019s opinion is incomplete, contains errors or has not been fully and properly checked, may be returned unreviewed by architect\/engineer for revision and resubmission.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Submittal \u201capproval\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Architects and engineers don\u2019t necessarily accept or approve submittals. Instead they stamp a submittal with \u201cno exceptions.\u201d This is because they\u2019ve been brought into enough lawsuits to know they don\u2019t want it to look like they\u2019ve approved anyone\u2019s work.  They just want to indicate that the submittal conforms with contract documents. Consequently, the fact that the error conforms with a submittal reviewed and is not rejected by a design professional does not relieve the submitter of liability. A provision such as the following makes this clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In reviewing shop drawings, architect\/engineer need not verify dimensions and field conditions. Architect\/engineer will review shop drawings and samples only for conformance with the design concept of the work and for general detailing. Architect\u2019s\/engineer\u2019s review shall not be construed as a complete check nor shall it relieve contractor from its responsibility for any deficiency that may exist or from any departures or deviations from the requirements of this contract and the contract documents. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approval of submittals by architect\/engineer shall not relieve contractor of its obligation to perform the work in strict accordance with this contract and the contract documents or of its responsibility for the proper matching of the work to contiguous work. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Submittals are an essential part of the construction process. Assuring the information submitted is accurate and timely will help meet one\u2019s contract obligations and keep projects moving in a positive direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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