Free template
Submittal log template
Track every package you send: what it was, when it went out, when it is due back, and what came back. Download it as a spreadsheet or print it.
Short answer
A submittal log is the running list of every submittal on a project, one row per package, with its number and revision, spec section, the dates it was sent and is due back, the reviewer's action, and who has the ball. This free template comes as a CSV that opens in Excel or Google Sheets, and as a printable PDF.
Submittal log
| No. | Rev | Spec section | Description | Sent | Due | Returned | Action | Ball in court |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Action: A = Approved, AN = Approved as Noted, RR = Revise and Resubmit, R = Rejected.
What each column is for
| Column | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| Submittal no. and revision | Spec section plus a sequence (09 51 13-001), and the revision number. Rev 0 is the first issue. |
| Spec section and description | The section the package answers to and a short description, for example "ceiling panels and grid, product data and samples". |
| Sent, due, returned | The date it went out, the date the review is due back under the contract, and the date it actually came back. The gap between due and returned is your delay record. |
| Action | The reviewer's stamp: Approved, Approved as Noted, Revise and Resubmit, or Rejected. |
| Ball in court | Who has to act next. When it says "reviewer" and the due date has passed, follow up. |
The CSV also has Type, Subcontractor, and Notes columns for a fuller spreadsheet. To get the due date for a package, use the submittal review turnaround calculator. To see what each stamp means for your next step, see the submittal review stamp guide.
Frequently asked questions
Who keeps the submittal log?
The GC keeps the project log, and the architect often keeps one too. A subcontractor should keep its own for its scope: it is the record of what you sent and when, which matters when a late response holds up your fabrication or a dispute comes up later.
What does ball in court mean on a submittal log?
It names who has to act next: the sub preparing or revising the package, the GC reviewing it, or the architect or engineer. When a row sits with one party past its due date, that is the one to chase.
Should a resubmittal get a new row?
Give it a new row with the same submittal number and the next revision, for example 09 51 13-001 Rev 1. That keeps each round's dates and action visible and shows the full history of one item.