Usually within two weeks following award of contract, the Contractor will be required to submit most or all of the following information for review and approval:

Certificates of Insurance should be reviewed and approved prior to mobilization and/or delivery of materials. Certificates need to be reviewed for compliance with the contract documents. Certificates should be included for the prime Contractor and any Subcontractors participating in the work.

Bonds may be required on a project-by-project basis, usually consisting of a Performance Bond and Labor & Material Payment Bond. Each bond should cover the contract sum in its entirety. Bonds shall be accompanied by a properly executed Power of Attorney Certificate.

Building Permits, where dictated by state or local requirements, should be obtained prior to the job start.

Permits, Licenses, Certifications, Notifications, etc., for Removal and Disposal of Asbestos Containing Materials, should be submitted where applicable. These submittals are intended to establish compliance with Federal, State and Local regulations governing asbestos before the work commences.

A detailed Construction Schedule should be prepared and submitted soon after award of contract. The schedule should include as a minimum start and completion dates for key activities, the sequence of work, coordination between trades, and milestones for progress measurement.

Product Information should be provided by the Contractor and approved by the Owner's representative prior to ordering materials. This helps to ensure the specified products will be delivered and installed at the job site, and also allows the Owner's representative to verify the combination of materials meets the specified codes and standards. Product information should be marked up by the Contractor to clearly indicate which part of the data is pertinent to the submittal (e.g. insulation thickness).

Product Samples should be provided where necessary for the Owner to make a decision as to color, style, or finish.

Substitutions, where allowed by the contract documents, should be addressed during the submittal process if required.

Shop Drawings are typically required showing the Contractor's proposed arrangement of materials at the various job conditions. Shop drawings are particularly useful for sheet metal work and where tapered insulation will be installed under the project scope.

The Proposed Schedule of Values to be used in Contractor applications for payment should be communicated during the submittal process. This will allow any bugs to be worked out of the payment application process before the initial billing, and helps to avoid delays in invoice processing/Contractor payment.

Emergency Phone Numbers for key project personnel should be provided by the Contractor. This will ensure that the Contractor is able to be contacted and respond appropriately should an emergency arise after hours or over a weekend.

These requirements represent a great deal of time and paperwork for all parties involved. However, by completing a thorough submittal (communication) process at the beginning of each project, many potential job problems can be eliminated prior to the start of work. As we all know, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.