Every submittal comes back with a stamp. The wording varies between firms, but the outcomes are almost always the same handful. Misreading one can mean ordering material you can't install, or sitting idle on something you were cleared to buy. Here's what each stamp means and what to do next.
| Stamp | Meaning | Can you proceed? |
|---|---|---|
| Approved / No Exceptions Taken | Conforms with the design intent as submitted | Yes |
| Approved as Noted / Make Corrections Noted | Acceptable once the reviewer's notes are applied | Yes, incorporating every note |
| Revise and Resubmit | Corrections or missing information needed before approval | No, not until a revision is approved |
| Rejected / Not Approved | Doesn't meet the contract documents | No; a different product or approach is needed |
| Not Reviewed / Not Required | The reviewer didn't review it, often because it wasn't requested | Doesn't grant approval; check what the spec requires |
| Received for Record / Information Only | An informational submittal was received and filed | Yes, if no approval was required |
Approved as Noted: read every note
This is the most common result and the easiest to mishandle. The notes become part of what's approved, so pass them to your purchasing and field teams. If a note changes a model, finish or accessory, confirm the change with your supplier before ordering. Some reviewers also ask for a corrected copy "for record," which doesn't hold up procurement but should still be sent.
Revise and Resubmit: fix it, then answer every comment
Correct each item, add what's missing, increase the revision number (for example 224213-001.0 to 001.1), and include a short written response to each comment. Cloud changes on drawings. Reviewers process a clear, responsive resubmittal much faster than a fresh package they have to compare line by line.
Rejected: change direction
A rejection usually means the product doesn't meet a requirement, an unapproved substitution was submitted, or the package was too incomplete to review. Re-read the spec's Part 2 and the reviewer's reason, select a compliant product, and if you believe the reviewer misread the documents, ask in an RFI rather than resubmitting the same thing. Our article on common rejection reasons covers the patterns.
Approval isn't a change order
Most contracts say a submittal approval doesn't authorize changes to the contract sum or time, even when a reviewer's note adds scope. If a note adds cost, raise it with the GC as a change before you do the work.
Track every response
Record the stamp, date and next action for every package in your submittal log. Approved submittals also feed your closeout package later; see our guide to closeout submittals and O&M manuals.
Got a "Revise and Resubmit" sitting on your desk?
Send us the returned submittal and the comments. We'll fix every item and write the responses for the resubmittal.
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