What it means
- RFQ — request for quotation. The most common request between contractors and distributors: “Here’s what I need — what will it cost, and when can I have it?” A good RFQ includes items, quantities, units, whether substitutes are acceptable, and when and where the material is needed.
- RFI — request for information. In buying, an RFI asks a supplier for information before pricing — capabilities, availability or product options. On construction projects, “RFI” usually means something different: a formal question from the contractor to the design team about the drawings or specifications.
- RFP — request for proposal. Used when the buyer wants more than a price: how the supplier would approach the work, the products or services offered, terms and price. Common for larger packages, service agreements and public work.
An example: an electrical contractor sends an RFQ to two distributors for a material list. Meanwhile, it sends an RFI to the engineer asking which fixture a room should get, because the drawings and schedule don’t match.
Why it matters
- Clear requests get better answers. Using the right type of request — with complete information — gets faster, more comparable responses.
- Avoiding confusion. On construction projects, it’s worth being clear whether “RFI” means a supplier request or a question to the design team.