Documents & records
Shop drawing
A shop drawing is prepared by the sub or fabricator — not the design team — to translate the contract drawings into the specifics a shop actually builds from: dimensions, connections, gauges, fabrication details and field measurements. Structural steel, curtain wall, cabinetry, ductwork and rebar all get shop drawings. The architect or engineer reviews the drawing to confirm it satisfies the design intent, and fabrication should not start until that review clears.
How it shows up on site
Shop drawings are a type of submittal, so they ride the same review loop — submitted, stamped approved, approved as noted, or revise and resubmit — and are logged on the submittal register. The stamped copy becomes the reference the field uses to check that what showed up on the truck matches what was coordinated.
Because they carry real field dimensions and connection details, shop drawings are also where trade conflicts surface before steel is cut. Catching a clash on paper is far cheaper than catching it when two assemblies meet in the same space.
What proves it
At installation, the approved shop drawing is the baseline you inspect against: member sizes, weld or fastener detail, anchor layout, clearances. A photo of the installed condition tied to the drawing detail closes the gap between what was approved and what was actually erected.
Standards it's verified against
Checklists that put shop drawing to work
Free, field-ready checklists, each with the photo every item needs before it can be submitted.
Related terms
- 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.
- Product data submittalManufacturer catalog data, cut sheets and specifications submitted to prove a proposed product meets what the specification requires.
- 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.
- Submittal registerThe master log that tracks every required submittal, its review status and its due date across the whole job.
- Punch listThe running list of incomplete or defective work a contractor has to fix before an area is accepted and closed out.
- Nonconformance report (NCR)A formal record raised when installed work does not meet the drawings, specs or an accepted standard, and the plan to resolve it.
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.