How GoBuid’s RFIs Make Your Construction Projects Faster and Easier

Managing construction projects is never easy. Delays, miscommunication, and waiting for answers can slow everything down. One of the biggest challenges in the construction industry is handling Requests for Information (RFIs). These are essential for clarifying doubts and ensuring smooth project execution, but they often become a bottleneck in the process.

Research shows that, on average, construction projects generate 10–15 RFIs per day, and the responses can take anywhere between 6.4 and 9.7 days. In some cases, it may even take up to a month for a reply.

Think about this: if you’re waiting for RFIs answers every day, it adds up to over 613,200 hours a year! That’s time that could be spent finishing another construction project, completing the procurement process, or even taking a well-deserved vacation.

A better RFI process can save you time, cut down costs, and speed up your work. This is where GoBuid comes in. GoBuid’s RFI system is designed to make your construction project smoother and more efficient. Let me show you how GoBuid helps you do more with less effort in construction industry.

RFI Meaning: What Is an RFI?

An RFI (Request for Information) is a way for team members on a construction project to ask questions and get clarification. It’s used to clear up confusion about designs, project plans, or project details. RFI in construction helps avoid mistakes, delays, and miscommunication.

Here are some common types of RFIs:

• Design Clarifications: Questions about unclear or incomplete plans and specifications.

• Requests for Design Changes: Changes needed due to construction industry issues or sequencing problems.

• Requests for Substitutions: Asking to use different materials or methods.

• Constructability Issues: Problems with how the design will be built.

• Differing Site Conditions: Questions about unexpected conditions at the site.

Without a good system for handling RFIs, your risk for delays, mistakes, and even safety is a problems.

Why Traditional RFIs Cost You Time and Money

In 2013, a study looked at RFIs on over 1,300 construction projects. The results were shocking:

• Each RFI costs about $1,080 to handle.
• On average, RFIs add up to $859,000 per project.
• Nearly 25% of RFIs never get a reply.

The main reason for these costs are administrative and technical labor costs. Wasting time and effort without clear answers to RFIs, projects can stall, leading to poor construction and even unsafe buildings. GoBuid’s RFI system is build to fix those problems. It’s designed to save you time, cut costs, and keep your projects running smoothly.

How GoBuid Makes RFIs Easier

GoBuid’s RFI system is built to solve the common problems with traditional RFI processes. Here’s how it works:

1.Chat Space for Quick Questions

GoBuid has a chat feature under every task. If a subcontractor or general contractor has a simple question, they can just send a quick message instead of submitting a formal RFI. This saves time and avoids unnecessary paperwork.

2. Easy Access to Documents

GoBuid has a cloud-based document archive where you can store contracts and RFI documents. Everyone on the team can access these files, so there’s no need to submit RFIs for information that’s already in the contract.

3. Notifications to Keep Things Moving

When someone submits an RFI, GoBuid sends a notification to the person responsible for answering it. This ensures that RFIs don’t get overlooked and are replied to as quickly as possible.

4. Customizable RFI Forms

GoBuid lets you create RFI forms that fit your project’s specific needs. You can customize everything, so you don’t waste time going back and forth to clarify unclear requests.

5. Instant Delivery

Once an RFI is submitted, it’s delivered instantly to the recipient. No delays, no lost RFIs—just quick and efficient communication.

6. Attach Photos for Clarity

GoBuid allows you to attach photos, drawings, videos, or even quick sketches to RFIs. A picture is worth a thousand words, and visuals make it much easier to explain issues and get accurate answers.

7. Deadlines and Accountability

With GoBuid, you can assign RFIs to specific members and set deadlines for replies. If an RFI isn’t answered on time, it will show up in the “Overdue” section on the home page. This keeps everyone accountable and ensures RFIs don’t fall through the cracks.

Why Use GoBuid for Your Construction Projects?

GoBuid’s RFI system is designed to make your life easier. By improving communication, reducing delays, and keeping everyone on the same page, GoBuid helps you:

• Save Time: No more waiting weeks for answers.

• Cut Costs: Reduce wasted time and effort.

• Avoid Mistakes: Get clear answers to avoid construction errors.

• Work Smarter: Keep your team connected and informed.

GoBuid also helps project managers, architects, engineers, and project stakeholders gather the additional information they need to make informed decisions. Whether it’s clarifying project plans, handling a request for proposal (RFP), or managing a request for information (RFI), GoBuid streamlines the entire process.

Conclusion

RFIs are a critical part of any construction project, but they don’t have to slow you down. GoBuid’s RFI system is built to help you handle RFIs faster, easier, and more efficiently.

With features like chat spaces, RFI documents archive, instant delivery, photo attachments, and deadline tracking and phone notification, GoBuid ensures your RFIs get answered quickly and accurately.

Don’t let slow RFI processes hold back your project. Start using GoBuid today and take your construction process to the next level!