They didn’t call you. They just made a note not to use you next time.
Late approvals cause friction that ripples across every part of the job. A missed submittal. A slow spec sign-off. A QA log delayed by a week. By the time the install is ready, the project is already off-sequence—and the vendor becomes the quiet scapegoat.
Where delays come from:
Product changes submitted too close to delivery
Incomplete submittal packages that can’t pass first review
Field teams forced to make install decisions without written approvals
What PMs say behind the scenes:
“They weren’t ready when we needed them.”
“We had to chase approvals just to keep moving.”
“We’ll bid this brand, but use someone else to supply it.”
Distributors who stay off the black list:
Pre-submit change approvals weeks ahead of field need
Include install implications and QA flags in every approval packet
Follow up with both procurement and field teams after every signoff
Approval isn’t just paperwork. It’s a field trigger—and if it’s late, the project pays.
