Hilliard Architects policy is to require submittals only for high risk items under the Design Team's control. For example, we require submittals on anything that can leak water or sound. For other items we add in language in the Submittals Section requiring extensive research and work by the Contractor who wishes to substitute one item for another. Sections we don't want substitutions and don't want to see submittals include Hardware, Gypsum Board, tile, flooring, colors, Ceiling Systems, doors ... We include language in our Owner Architect Agreement that states we will review only submittals that we have requested.
Sections we do want to see submittals on include roofing, flashing, building paper, exterior skin such as plaster or siding, waterproof membranes in wet areas of the building, all acoustical items including sealant pads at electrical boxes ...
In residential work we require a shower/tub p-trap and drain mock up submittal to be delivered to the job site, O-rings at p-traps and connections to showers and tubs always leak, yet they always seem to find their way into the job if a mock up isn't required.
We always talk to our consultants and ask them if they have any high risk connections or unusual areas in their work, and then require a senior engineer review of those submittals and a review of the construction work in place.
Our specifications dictate where we will spend most of our Construction Administration resources, it's best to spend those resources wisely by spending time on high risk items to protect our clients.
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Michael Hilliard AIA
Hilliard Architects, Inc.
San Francisco CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-02-2012 18:35
From: Julie Montgomery
Subject: Number and Scope of Submittals
We are in the process of evaluating the number and types of submittals that are required through our standard specs. We have found that over the past several years we've been asking for more and more submittals which takes us more time to review.
Does anyone have some basic guidelines for which submittals to require? Is it really necessary to require in-depth submittals for a product identified by name in the specs? What is the best way to decide which submittals are required and which could be deleted from the specs?
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Julie Montgomery AIA
The Portico Group
Seattle WA
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