May 20, 2025
Introduction
AI tools are rapidly reshaping how construction teams manage documentation, but there’s one assumption that continues to trip up even seasoned professionals: that AI can replace human oversight. While platforms like Anyset Specs dramatically accelerate the creation of submittal logs, relying on them without review is risky. AI can save time and reduce errors—but it doesn’t replace your judgment. To avoid costly project delays and legal risk, every auto-generated submittal register should be reviewed with care.
The Hidden Risks Behind Your Spec Data
In many cases, project specs are written by third-party consultants who pull from old templates. This practice, while efficient, can introduce outdated or irrelevant information into your documentation. It’s common to find:
- Obsolete products and equipment
- Unnecessary coordination meetings
- Expired codes or standards
- Biased product listings influenced by manufacturers
When these outdated specs are fed into AI tools, the system doesn’t know what’s outdated—it just processes what it’s given. That’s why even a perfectly generated submittal register might include irrelevant or incorrect items. Without a quick human review, these errors can ripple downstream—leading to procurement issues, scheduling conflicts, or costly change orders.
A Smarter Way to Review Submittals
Nobody wants to comb through hundreds of pages of technical specs. But skipping this step altogether isn’t the answer. If your submittal log was built using AI, the heavy lifting is done—now your focus should be on reviewing high-impact details. Key questions to ask during your review include:
- Are there gaps between specs, drawings, and contract requirements?
- Are any submittals missing in key divisions or sections?
- Are shop drawings required in excess of what’s reasonable?
- Has delegated design been clearly defined?
- Are there LEED or sustainability requirements that impact procurement?
- Are mock-ups, inspections, or certifications overly complex?
- Are specified materials subject to long lead times or import delays?
- Are there sole-source items or proprietary systems that limit flexibility?
- Do basis-of-design requirements create supply chain risks?
- Can early procurement actions be taken before mobilization?
This type of targeted review—focused on risks and opportunities—can be completed quickly and yields massive returns in project certainty.
Why It Matters
Missed submittals don’t just cause delays—they create a domino effect of downstream risk. When long-lead materials aren’t flagged early, procurement stalls. When QA/QC requirements go unnoticed, inspections fail. When sole-source products are overlooked, change orders multiply. Even on a $20M job, a single unresolved issue can wipe out already-thin margins.
Many contractors operate on profit margins in the single digits. A few missteps in the submittal phase can turn a good project into a financial loss. In worst-case scenarios, they lead to disputes or litigation. A 30-minute review of your AI-generated log is one of the highest-leverage activities your team can take.
AI as Your Safety Net, Not a Substitute
Platforms like Anyset Specs are built to help you work faster and smarter. They’re designed to catch the majority of submittals and structure them clearly, freeing up time for higher-value tasks. But with millions of dollars on the line, that time should be reinvested in review—not skipped entirely.
In the end, the combination of automation and expert review is what sets successful teams apart. Submittals are too critical to leave unchecked.