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Using Trunk Tools as a Subcontractor

How subcontractors invited to a project use Trunk Tools to find scope, spec, RFI, and submittal answers for their trade.

Using Trunk Tools as a Subcontractor

This guide is for subcontractors who've been invited to a project in Trunk Tools, usually by the general contractor. It covers what you can see, how to ask questions about your scope, and how to use Trunk Tools from the field.

What You Can See

Subcontractors are usually invited as Collaborators. The project team decides how much you can search:

  • Full access — you can search all of the project's connected information.

  • Limited access — you can only search what the team allows, like certain modules (RFIs, drawings, submittals, daily logs), folders, or files.

Note: If Trunk Tools can't find something you expect, it may be outside your access. Ask the GC's Project Manager to check. See Collaborators & Document Permissions.

Set Up Your Suggestions

On your project home screen, click Customize next to What can I ask? and choose Subcontractor as your role. See Using the Prompt Library in TrunkText.

Note: The Prompt Library is turned on by the organization. If you don't see it, it hasn't been enabled for the project.

Where Trunk Tools Helps Most

Your Scope

  • Summarize the scope of work for the electrical subcontract.

  • Is firestopping in the plumbing scope?

  • Was Bulletin 2 included in our contract?

Specs and Drawings for Your Trade

  • List the piping material requirements for the second-floor bathrooms.

  • What are the submittal requirements in spec section 23 05 00?

  • Which sheets changed in the latest bulletin for my trade?

RFIs and Submittals

  • Which RFIs are related to the mechanical scope?

  • What was the response to RFI #34?

  • Was our light fixture submittal approved?

Use Trunk Tools from the Field

Once you're added to a project, you'll get a text from that project's own Trunk Tools number. Save it as a contact and text it your questions. See Using Trunk Tools on Mobile.

Tips for Subcontractors

  • Be specific. Name your trade, the spec section, level, or area.

  • Check the source. Open the cited document before you price or build from an answer.

  • Working on more than one project? You can be invited to several projects with the same email. See Switching Between Projects in Trunk Tools.

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Questions? Reach out to support@trunk.tools.

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