RFI submissions arrive from subcontractors through email and project management platforms. Some also come through text messages. Each one requires a project manager to screen it against contract drawings and specs, then check prior resolutions. On commercial projects with high RFI volume, that screening workload can consume major staff time before real design review begins.
The downstream cost compounds fast. Some submitted RFIs are not justifiable (~13.2% in this study), while still carrying processing cost and response-cycle burden. Long response times also create schedule pressure when low-quality RFIs enter the queue with legitimate coordination issues.
