Creating a submittal log may not be the most glamorous part of preconstruction, but it’s one of the most critical. The log acts as your roadmap for approvals, procurement, and timely delivery of materials. Miss the mark here, and it can lead to delays, rework, and last-minute scrambles that eat into margins.
And yet, many project teams still treat submittal log creation as a secondary task—or worse, skip over it entirely. Even when logs are created, it’s common to overlook key requirements buried in the specs.
Here’s a look at five types of submittals that are often missed—and how catching them early can save weeks of stress later on.
1. The Log Itself
Yes, the submittal log is often a required submittal. Specs typically call for it to be submitted at the start of the job, but this step is often glossed over. Creating and submitting the log early is not just about compliance—it’s a chance to align with the design team and eliminate outdated or irrelevant requirements left over from recycled spec sections.
2. Mockups
Mockups are frequently buried in Division 01 or the early parts of technical sections. They’re easy to miss but play a crucial role in early-phase approvals. Treating mockups as formal submittals—and getting them on the log—helps avoid delays when field work starts and provides critical clarity on design expectations.
3. Testing Reports
Most specs require formal submission of testing and inspection reports to the design team—not just filing them away for internal tracking. From concrete strength tests to air barrier performance, these reports need to be formally logged and submitted to ensure contract compliance.
4. Certifications
It’s not uncommon for crews to show up with certified installers—but for the paperwork never to make it into the submittal log. Welding certifications, mill certificates, installer credentials—they’re all required in most specs and are often essential if issues arise later. Make sure they’re captured and submitted, not just assumed.
5. Closeout Requirements
Closeout submittals are one of the most commonly overlooked areas during the log creation process. As-builts, attic stock, O&M manuals, and warranties are often treated as a separate workflow—but they’re typically listed as required submittals. Including them from day one sets expectations early and avoids last-minute chaos.
Why It Matters
Missing these items doesn’t just mean more admin work—it can delay procurement, inspections, or final turnover. And it often leads to frustration between GCs, subs, and owners.
That’s why many forward-thinking teams are now using tools like Anyset Specs to automate the review of full spec books and generate comprehensive submittal logs in minutes. It’s faster, more accurate, and helps ensure that nothing gets left behind.
Creating a complete log from the outset isn’t just best practice—it’s the foundation of a smoother, more predictable project.