Documents & records
Nonconformance report (NCR)
A nonconformance report documents work that was built wrong or with the wrong material and cannot simply be re-done on the spot. It states what was found, where, which requirement it violates, and then carries the disposition — rework, repair, use-as-is, or reject — through review and sign-off. An NCR is heavier than a punch item: it usually needs the engineer's or owner's agreement on how to make it right.
Why it matters
Punch items are finish-level touch-ups; an NCR is for something that missed the spec in a way that has to be evaluated, like an out-of-tolerance pour, a substituted fastener, or a firestop detail that wasn't followed. Left informal, these get argued about months later with no paper trail. The NCR forces a decision and records who made it.
What proves it
A complete NCR captures the as-found condition with photos, cites the requirement it fails against, and shows the approved disposition plus verification that the disposition was carried out. Tying the report to the exact location and to the daily record of when it was found keeps the timeline honest if the item is ever disputed.
Checklists that put nonconformance report (ncr) to work
Free, field-ready checklists, each with the photo every item needs before it can be submitted.
Related terms
- Punch listThe running list of incomplete or defective work a contractor has to fix before an area is accepted and closed out.
- Quality control planThe project-specific document that defines how a contractor will control quality — who inspects what, to which standards, and how it's recorded.
- Inspection and test plan (ITP)A document that lays out, activity by activity, what gets inspected or tested, who does it, against which standard, and what record it produces.
- Request for information (RFI)A formal written question from the contractor to the design team when the drawings or specs are unclear, conflicting or incomplete.
- SubmittalThe product data, shop drawings or samples a contractor sends for review to confirm what will be installed matches the spec before it's ordered.
- Submittal registerThe master log that tracks every required submittal, its review status and its due date across the whole job.
Knowing the term is step one. Proving it is the job.
RTI holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and the photos are attached, then chains the record so it can be proven untouched later.