This question is primarily for the independants out there - to what extent (if any) do you review submittals? I used to assist with the occassional complex submittal, if the architect was struggling to find the necessary information or would offer my 2 cents if the contractor offered a substitution request. Now, it seems like my clients are sending every submittal to me for review. Although i make it clear that I don’t approve submittals, I am not sure if this is a trend towards diminished knowledge from the architect, a lack of understanding of my role, or just general laziness. Curious what others are seeing and doing.
Not continual, only when there is special concerns or questions.
We typically do not review submittals. Like you, Robin, we will answer an occasional question about a substitution request or similar issue, as part of our basic services. But that is not submittal review.
In our proposals and contracts we make it clear that our services do not include submittal review.
In 22 years, I can think of only one project where we were hired to review a submittal. That was for the door hardware submittal for an institutional office building, with about 200 hardware sets and maybe 10,000 doors. This review was an additional service.
My agreements also exclude submittal review, but I am asked and will provide advice re: compliance w/ spec’d requirements, including for proposed substitutions. I have not noticed any change in the frequency of requests that seems to indicate a trend.
I include a minimal allowance for the Construction Phase in my contracts. For the most part it is used for the occasional submittal review and sometimes for spec clarifications. Mostly, it’s not used at all, but having the allowance in my agreement makes it easier to bill for hours used when it occurs.
Robin, in my agreements I provide a line item for 2-6 hours time to assist the architect in the review of submittals, this time is included in my lump sum fee. I stipulate that my review is for information only and will not be documented on the submittal and that I absolutely will not stamp the submittal. On some jobs the time is used up on some not at all.