Countertop Shop Drawing Review Checklist

A stamp is not a review. A useful shop-drawing review proves that every top is present, every fabrication decision is visible, and every open item is held out of production.

Use one reviewer checklist across the contractor, architect, millwork shop, and fabricator. Mark comments by top, not in a general email.

1. Scope and identity

• Correct project name, revision, date, and drawing set.
• Every room and top mark from the contract documents is included.
• Alternates, owner items, and excluded tops are labeled.
• Mirrored and repeated rooms are distinguished.
• Delivery phase or area appears where applicable.

2. Material and finish

• Manufacturer, product, color/pattern, finish, thickness, and grade are exact.
• Substrate and balancing construction are shown when applicable.
• Front, end, back, and cutout edges are defined.
• Finished ends agree with exposed conditions.
• Backsplash material, height, top edge, returns, and seams are shown.

ANSI/AWI 1236 covers general and aesthetic countertop requirements that can be used as project review checkpoints when the standard applies (AWI general requirements, AWI aesthetic requirements).

3. Dimensions and geometry

• Overall length, depth, and finished thickness are present.
• Inside/outside corners and radii are dimensioned.
• Field-verified conditions are identified.
• Wall scribes and intentional gaps are shown.
• Elevations remain coordinated after material or thickness changes.

4. Cutouts and equipment

Every sink, faucet, dispenser, grommet, pass-through, and appliance needs an exact model, mounting method, template source, size, and location from fixed references. The cutout specification guide provides the full handoff list.

5. Seams and supports

• Every shop and field seam is located.
• Pattern/direction across seams is addressed.
• Overhangs and unsupported spans have an approved support plan.
• Cutouts do not conflict with brackets or narrow material webs.
• Piece size works with material limits, freight, doorways, elevators, and installation access.

AWI’s structural requirements address joints, cutouts, supports, and related conditions (AWI structural requirements). Use the exact project edition and manufacturer guidance.

6. Accessibility and adjacent trades

Review accessible heights, clear floor space, knee/toe clearance, exposed piping protection, and transaction/dining conditions against the project’s accessibility design. The U.S. Access Board publishes the 2010 ADA Standards and advisory material (ADA Standards).

Also confirm cabinet, plumbing, electrical, equipment, wall finish, mirror, tile, and support responsibilities.

7. Approval language

Use clear statuses:

• Approved: ready subject to the contract’s normal requirements.
• Approved as noted: comments are unambiguous and do not require redesign.
• Revise and resubmit: affected work is not released.
• Partial release: only named top marks/revision are released; all others remain held.

The countertop RFI checklist catches issues that should be answered before the final stamp. Keep the approved PDF, comment resolution, and release record together. Production should never have to guess which redlines still apply.