What Is Bulletin in Construction?
Definition
A bulletin is a document issued by the architect during construction that communicates design changes, clarifications, or additional information to the contractor. Unlike change orders, bulletins describe the design change itself and are typically followed by a contractor pricing response before becoming a formal change order.
Bulletins, sometimes called architect supplemental instructions (ASIs) or design bulletins, are the mechanism by which the design team communicates modifications to the construction documents after the contract has been executed. When the architect identifies a design change, error correction, or clarification that needs to be made, they issue a bulletin with revised drawings and specifications.
The bulletin itself does not change the contract. Instead, it triggers a process where the contractor reviews the bulletin, assesses the cost and schedule impact, and submits a change order proposal. The owner then decides whether to approve the change. Once agreed upon, a change order is executed that references the bulletin.
Bulletins are numbered sequentially and tracked in a bulletin log alongside the corresponding change order status. On large projects, the architect may issue dozens of bulletins throughout construction, each potentially affecting multiple trades and drawing sheets.
Why It Matters
Bulletins provide a clear, documented trail of design changes during construction. Without bulletins, design changes would be communicated informally, making it difficult to track what changed, when, and at whose direction. This documentation is essential for change order pricing, schedule claims, and dispute resolution.
How HomeFloorPlan Helps
HomeFloorPlan supports bulletin tracking by allowing the design team to upload revised sheets with clear revision clouds and descriptions. The contractor and all affected trades are notified immediately, and the markup tools make it easy to compare the bulletin changes against the previous version of the drawings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a bulletin and an addendum?
A bulletin is issued during construction after the contract is signed, while an addendum is issued during the bidding phase before contracts are awarded. Both communicate changes to project documents, but they apply at different stages of the project.
Does a bulletin automatically change the contract price?
No. A bulletin describes a design change but does not automatically change the contract price or schedule. The contractor must price the bulletin and submit a change order proposal, which the owner then approves or negotiates before it becomes a formal contract amendment.