{"id":716,"date":"2020-10-25T11:10:38","date_gmt":"2020-10-25T18:10:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/files\/?post_type=product&#038;p=716"},"modified":"2026-11-02T17:53:41","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T00:53:41","slug":"request-for-information-rfi-excel-template","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/files\/construction\/administration\/request-for-information-rfi-excel-template\/","title":{"rendered":"Request for Information (RFI) Excel Template"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>This RFI template for Excel is an industry-standard request for information form for construction projects. Use it to ask the architect and engineers clear questions, propose a solution, set a response deadline and keep the answer on record.<\/p>\n<h2>What is an RFI in construction?<\/h2>\n<p>An RFI, or request for information, is a formal written question sent by a contractor or subcontractor to the design team or owner when the drawings or specifications are unclear, conflict, or are missing information. It describes the issue, often proposes a solution, and asks for a written answer by a set date. RFIs keep questions and answers on record, so the work is built as intended and any cost or schedule impact is documented.<\/p>\n<h2>When to use it<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Drawings and specifications conflict or do not match site conditions<\/li>\n<li>A detail, dimension or product is missing from the documents<\/li>\n<li>You want to propose an alternative method or material<\/li>\n<li>A coordination clash between trades needs a design decision<\/li>\n<li>You need written confirmation of a verbal answer from the design team<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>What&#8217;s included<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Excel request for information template (.xlsx)<\/li>\n<li>RFI question<\/li>\n<li>Proposed solution<\/li>\n<li>RFI response<\/li>\n<li>Assigned to<\/li>\n<li>Created by<\/li>\n<li>Date issued and date due<\/li>\n<li>Other fields for tracking the RFI<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How to fill it out<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Give the RFI a unique number and enter the project details.<\/li>\n<li>Write one clear question per RFI and reference the drawing, detail or specification section.<\/li>\n<li>Add a proposed solution so the designer can simply approve it if it works.<\/li>\n<li>Enter who the RFI is assigned to, who created it, the date issued and the date a response is due.<\/li>\n<li>Attach marked-up drawings or photos where they help explain the issue.<\/li>\n<li>When the answer comes back, record the response and any cost or schedule impact, then share it with the trades affected.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>Tips for writing a good RFI<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Check the documents first; RFIs answered by the drawings waste everyone&#8217;s time.<\/li>\n<li>Keep it to one issue so it can be answered and closed quickly.<\/li>\n<li>Set a realistic due date that matches when you actually need the answer on site.<\/li>\n<li>Track every RFI in a log so nothing is left open.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Related templates and guides<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/files\/construction\/administration\/rfi-log-template\/\">RFI log template<\/a> &ndash; track all your RFIs<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/files\/construction\/administration\/construction-rfi-workflow-template\/\">Construction RFI workflow template<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/files\/construction\/administration\/\">Construction administration templates<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/academy\/tutorials\/ultimate-guide-to-the-construction-rfi\/\">RFI in construction: what it is and how to write one<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>What should be included in a construction RFI?<\/h3>\n<p>An RFI number, project name, date issued, who it is from and to, a clear question, references to drawings or specifications, a proposed solution if you have one, the date a response is needed, and space for the answer and any cost or schedule impact.<\/p>\n<h3>Who answers an RFI?<\/h3>\n<p>The RFI goes to the party responsible for the design information, usually the architect or engineer, often through the general contractor or the owner&#8217;s representative. The response should come back in writing so it can be shared with everyone affected.<\/p>\n<h3>How long does an RFI response take?<\/h3>\n<p>Your contract or specifications may set a response time, and many teams agree on a standard turnaround at the start of the project. Put a due date on every RFI that matches when you actually need the answer on site.<\/p>\n<h3>Can an RFI change the contract price?<\/h3>\n<p>An RFI itself is a question, not a change. But if the answer adds work, changes the design or causes a delay, it can lead to a change order or variation. Note potential cost or time impact on the RFI so it can be followed up.<\/p>\n<h3>What is the difference between an RFI form and an RFI log?<\/h3>\n<p>An RFI form records one question and its answer in detail. An RFI log is a list of all RFIs on the project with their numbers, dates, who they are assigned to and status, so you can see what is still open.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<ul>\n<li>Ask questions on a construction site<\/li>\n<li>Provide deadlines and information for RFIs<\/li>\n<li>Professional correspondence that complies with industry standards<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":718,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[40,219,37],"product_tag":[396,32,262,58,140,354,59,397,114,115,116,31],"class_list":["post-716","product","type-product","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","product_cat-administration","product_cat-free","product_cat-quality","product_tag-clarification","product_tag-construction","product_tag-construction-template","product_tag-contractor","product_tag-designer","product_tag-division-01-general-requirements","product_tag-excel","product_tag-excel-rfi-template","product_tag-question","product_tag-request-for-information","product_tag-rfi","product_tag-template","","woocommerce-text-align-left","woocommerce-image-align-center","member-discount","discount-restricted","first","instock","downloadable","virtual","sold-individually","purchasable","product-type-simple"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/716","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=716"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/718"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=716"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_brand?post=716"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=716"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/files\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_tag?post=716"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}