Guide · Scope

"By others": the most expensive two words on a shop drawing

From a GC project engineer who reviews them every week · Updated Nov 2, 2026

Almost every set of shop drawings has a few notes that push work to someone else: "by others," "NIC," "not in contract," "furnished by others," "by GC," "existing." Each one is a quiet claim about scope. When it matches the spec, it's fine. When it doesn't, one of two things happens.

• The architect or GC catches it, and the package comes back.
• Nobody catches it, and it shows up in the field with no owner. Then it becomes a schedule problem and a change order argument.

Four questions for every note

Before a package goes out, list every "by others" note and answer four questions for each.

1. What exactly does the note say?

Copy it word for word, with the sheet and detail. "Embed plates furnished and installed by others" is different from "embed plates installed by others."

2. Who furnishes it per the spec?

Search your section for the item. Specs often have one section furnish an item and another install it. Embeds, anchor bolts, sleeves and frames are the usual examples.

3. Who installs it?

Check your section and the related sections it references. "Furnish for installation under Section 03 30 00" is common language.

4. Is it actually in someone's contract?

If the spec is silent and no trade has it, it's a scope gap. Raise it now, in writing, while it's cheap.

The usual suspects

• Embeds and anchor bolts: often furnished by the steel or misc metals trade, installed by concrete
• Concrete fill in bollards and pan stairs
• Field touch-up of primer and galvanizing
• Blocking and backing for wall-mounted items
• Power and control connections to equipment
• Sleeves and penetrations through rated assemblies
• Supports and hangers for equipment and piping

For GC project engineers

When you find a scope issue on a trade's package, send it in a separate note from the technical corrections. Scope questions can take time to settle, and they shouldn't hold up the drawing fixes. Cite the spec article, keep the tone collaborative, and ask the trade to update the note or explain how they read it differently.

For trades and suppliers

Treat every "by others" note as a promise. If you write it, you should be able to point to the spec article that makes it true. If you can't, change the note before the architect asks you to.

Sources

• AIA Document A201-2017, General Conditions of the Contract for Construction, §3.12.8: the architect's approval of a submittal doesn't relieve the contractor of responsibility for deviations unless the contractor specifically notified the architect of the deviation at the time of submittal and the architect gave written approval of that deviation as a minor change, or a Change Order or Construction Change Directive authorized it (paraphrased). AIA preview
• UFGS 01 33 00, Submittal Procedures (August 2026 edition), 1.10.1 Considering Variations: point out variations from contract requirements; failure to do so may lead to rejection and removal of the work. wbdg.org

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Your contract and specification govern. AIA and A201 are trademarks of The American Institute of Architects.