HouseChalk
Back to glossary
RFI (Request for Information)
An RFI is a formal question used to clarify plans and details before work continues.
Why it matters
RFIs prevent assumptions. Assumptions create rework and change orders.
Where people get this wrong
An RFI is not an insult. It is a clarification tool. A quick text message can work for simple items, but complex changes should be tracked.
Real-world example
A framing crew sees a missing detail for a beam. They guess and keep moving. Later the engineer rejects it. An RFI would have saved time and money.
Where this hits your build
This comes up early, before construction starts. It affects your contract, your budget, or both. Misunderstanding it can cost you money or leverage.
Most people do not just struggle with terms. They struggle with the decisions tied to them.
See how HouseChalk helps with the decisions behind terms like this