If you’ve been in construction for more than five minutes, you’ve probably had some fancy acronym tossed your way. Someone sends you paperwork labeled “RFI,” or an owner asks for an “RFP,” and you’re left scratching your head wondering what alphabet soup has to do with pouring concrete.
Don’t worry. You’re not alone. A lot of smaller contractors didn’t come up through giant corporate firms where these terms get thrown around daily. But if you want to win bigger jobs and look professional, you need to know what they mean.
So let’s cut through the noise and break down a few of the most common letters you’ll run into in construction – without the jargon.
RFI – Request for Information
This one comes up a lot. An RFI is simply a way of asking a formal question about a project.
Example: The plans say “install 8-inch pipe,” but when you get to the site, you realize the trench is only big enough for 6-inch. Instead of making a guess, you submit an RFI to the architect or engineer asking for clarification.
The goal: protect yourself. If you ask in writing and get an answer in writing, you won’t get blamed later for making the wrong call.
RFP – Request for Proposal
This is when a project owner (or general contractor) is asking multiple companies to submit proposals to do the work.
Think of it as an invitation to bid, but often with more detail and sometimes more room for creativity. They want you to show not just your price, but also how you’ll get the job done.
RFQ – Request for Quote
This one is more straightforward. An RFQ usually just means “give me your price.” Less detail, less storytelling, more about the numbers.
CO – Change Order
Every contractor’s favorite (and least favorite) acronym. A CO happens when the scope of work changes after the contract is signed.
Example: The owner decides halfway through the job that they want granite countertops instead of laminate. That’s a change order. You’ll submit a CO to adjust the contract price and timeline.
Important note: always get your COs in writing. Handshake deals on changes are where profits go to die.
Submittals
Okay, not an acronym, but you’ll hear it a lot. Submittals are documents, samples, or cut sheets you send to the architect or engineer to prove that the materials you plan to use match the project requirements.
Why This Matters to You
You might be thinking, “I don’t deal with that big company paperwork.” But here’s the thing – understanding these terms makes you look more professional, even on small jobs.
- If you know how to submit an RFI, you can protect yourself from liability.
- If you know how to respond to an RFP, you can land bigger contracts.
- If you stay on top of COs, you keep your profit intact instead of eating costs.
Knowledge is money in this business.
How ProfitDig Fits In
When you’re juggling acronyms, paperwork, and bids, it’s easy to lose track of the basics – like whether your jobs are even profitable. That’s where ProfitDig comes in. It keeps your bids clean, your costs tracked, and your numbers organized so you can focus on the work and not the paperwork.
The next time someone drops “RFI” or “RFP” into a conversation, you won’t have to fake it. You’ll know exactly what they’re talking about – and how to respond.
Construction has enough challenges. Don’t let a few letters stand between you and running a profitable, professional business.