Shop drawings and submittals are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. A submittal is any document a contractor submits for review; shop drawings are one type of submittal — detailed drawings prepared by the contractor, subcontractor or fabricator that show how a specific part of the work will be fabricated and installed. Understanding the difference helps you prepare packages that are approved the first time.
What is a shop drawing?
A shop drawing translates the design intent in the contract drawings into fabrication and installation detail: dimensions, layouts, connections, reinforcing, materials, finishes and interfaces with other trades. Typical examples include masonry coursing and reinforcing drawings, structural steel and connection drawings, rebar placing drawings, tile layout drawings, millwork and casework drawings, storefront and curtain-wall drawings, ductwork and piping coordination drawings and precast panel drawings.
What other submittals are there?
- Product data: manufacturer literature, cutsheets and performance data.
- Samples: physical finish, color or material samples.
- Mock-ups: full-scale sample assemblies.
- Calculations and test reports: structural calculations, mix designs, certifications.
- Schedules and plans: construction schedule, safety plan, quality-control plan.
- Closeout submittals: warranties, O&M manuals and as-built records.
The submittal process step by step
- Register: list every required submittal from the specifications (Division 01 and each technical section).
- Prepare: create drawings and assemble product data against the specification requirements.
- Contractor review: the general contractor checks for compliance and coordination, then stamps the package.
- Design-team review: the architect and engineers review for conformance with the design intent.
- Action: the reviewer returns an action such as approved, approved as noted, revise and resubmit or rejected.
- Resubmit and distribute: revise as needed, then distribute approved copies and fabricate.
Specifications normally state the review period and the order of submittals; plan fabrication lead times around them.
Why submittals get rejected
- The submitted product does not match the specified product or an approved equal.
- Dimensions or details conflict with the contract drawings or other trades.
- Missing information: finishes, hardware, reinforcing, test data or warranties.
- Not coordinated with adjacent work — openings, embeds, penetrations, structural supports.
- Submitted out of sequence or incomplete, so reviewers cannot approve it.
How to get approval the first time
- Read the specification section and cross-check every requirement against your submittal.
- Reference the contract drawing and specification section on each sheet.
- Flag deviations and requested substitutions clearly rather than burying them.
- Coordinate with other trades before submitting.
- Submit complete packages with an index and a cover sheet.
- Track every submittal in a log, including dates, reviewers and actions.
A submittal checklist before you send
- Specification section and paragraph referenced on the cover sheet
- Contract drawing numbers and detail references on each sheet
- All required information for the product or assembly — dimensions, materials, finishes, connections, loads
- Coordination with adjacent trades confirmed
- Substitutions or deviations identified and justified
- Contractor review stamp and date, and the submittal number
Submittal tracking
Keep a log with submittal number, specification section, description, date sent, date returned, action and resubmittal count. Review the log weekly against the schedule so late approvals do not delay fabrication.
Shop drawings from Bid Sharp
We prepare shop drawings for subcontractors and fabricators — including masonry shop drawings and tile layout drawings — and support resubmittals after architect or engineer comments. Drawings that require an engineer's seal are reviewed and sealed by an engineer licensed in the project's jurisdiction. Send your contract drawings and specifications to get started.
Have a bid coming up?
Upload your plans and bid date. We reply with scope, price and turnaround.
Frequently asked questions
Are shop drawings the same as submittals?
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Shop drawings are one type of submittal. Submittals also include product data, samples, mock-ups, calculations, test reports and closeout documents.
Who prepares shop drawings?
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The subcontractor, fabricator or supplier responsible for the work prepares them, and the general contractor reviews them before they go to the design team.
What does revise and resubmit mean?
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It means the reviewer found items that must be corrected before approval; the package is revised and submitted again.
Written by the Bid Sharp Estimating Team
Bid Sharp provides construction estimating, quantity takeoff, structural and permit drawings, shop drawings and scheduling for contractors across the United States. This article is general information, not legal or engineering advice.
