In Part 1, we established that Procore is the most widely used PM tool on Canadian construction sites. This guide focuses on the three functions you’ll hit first when you actually step on site: checking Drawings, submitting an RFI, and writing a Daily Log — step by step.
When I first opened Procore, the menu felt overwhelming. The reality is that these three modules cover the vast majority of what field workers and coordinators need day-to-day.
Before You Start: Account Setup & App Installation
Procore accounts are issued by your company (GC or subcontractor) — it’s not something you subscribe to personally. Once you’re hired, ask your PM or supervisor to send you a Procore invitation email.
- Search “Procore” in the App Store or Google Play and install
- Activate your account via the invitation email link
- Open the app → confirm you can see the company’s project list
Tip: Procore works on both the web (procore.com) and the mobile app. Use the app on site; use the web browser in the office — it’s easier to manage documents on a larger screen.
1. Drawings — Finding the Right Drawing and Adding Markups
All current drawings live in Procore rather than in a paper set. You can pull them up on your phone or tablet on site at any time.
Finding a drawing:
- Select your project → tap Drawings in the left menu
- Search by drawing number (e.g., A101, S-201) or keyword
- Tap the drawing → pinch to zoom in
Always check the Revision number before you start work. It appears in the title block — usually upper right. Procore automatically greys out superseded revisions, but it’s your responsibility to confirm you’re working off the latest. Working from an old revision and having to redo work is one of the most avoidable mistakes on site.
Adding markups:
- Open the drawing → tap the pencil icon (top right)
- Select a markup tool: arrow, text, cloud shape, etc.
- Save — your markup is immediately visible to the rest of the team
I regularly linked related RFIs to specific locations on drawings, so trades could immediately see what design questions had been raised and what the responses were — without having to search the RFI log separately.
2. RFI — How to Formally Ask When a Drawing Is Unclear
An RFI (Request for Information) is a formal written question to the design team or GC when drawings or specs are ambiguous. On Canadian sites, there’s a strong culture of filing RFIs rather than resolving issues verbally — because a verbal answer has no paper trail.
How to submit an RFI:
- Project → select RFIs
- Tap + Create RFI (top right)
- Fill in the fields:
| Field | What to Write |
|---|---|
| Subject | One-line summary (e.g., “Beam size discrepancy on Grid Line 3”) |
| Question | Your specific question in detail |
| Reference | Drawing number or Spec section |
| Assignee | The person who should respond (usually PM or architect) |
| Due Date | When you need a response by |
- Add Attachments — screenshot of the relevant drawing area, or a site photo (strongly recommended)
- Tap Save & Send — the assignee receives an automatic email notification
Checking the response: You’ll get a Procore notification when the assignee replies. Check that the status changes from Open → Closed, then apply the clarified instruction to your work.
Important: If you proceed without an RFI response and the work turns out wrong, the rework cost typically falls on the subcontractor. When in doubt, file the RFI. Linking the RFI to the relevant drawing markup makes it much easier for everyone during construction.
3. Daily Log — 5 Minutes at End of Day
The Daily Log is your site diary: weather, crew count, equipment, work completed, visitors, and any incidents. Foremen and supervisors fill it out daily. In disputes or insurance claims, a well-kept Daily Log is a primary piece of evidence.
How to write a Daily Log:
- Project → select Daily Log
- Confirm the date (auto-set to today)
- Fill in each section:
| Section | What to Record |
|---|---|
| Weather | Temperature and conditions (sunny / cloudy / rain / snow) — official basis for weather delays |
| Manpower | Crew by company and trade (e.g., “ABC Framing — 4 carpenters, 1 foreman”) |
| Equipment | Equipment used and quantity (e.g., “Scissor lift × 1”) |
| Work Completed | Brief description (e.g., “Framed Level 3 East wing exterior walls, Grid A to D”) |
| Visitors | Inspectors, owner reps, design team visits |
| Notes | Delays, safety incidents, neighbour complaints, anything notable |
- Upload photos in the Photos section → tap Create Log
Habit worth building: Take at least 3 photos per work area per day — before, during, and after. A Daily Log backed by timestamped photos is a completely different thing from one without. That habit has saved me from at least one dispute I’d rather not detail.
3 Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Working off an old drawing revision — always confirm you’re on the latest Rev. before starting work
- Resolving design issues verbally instead of via RFI — verbal instructions leave no record; small issues become big disputes
- Writing Daily Logs in batches at the end of the week — details blur fast; five minutes at end of shift keeps everything accurate
Summary
- Drawings — always latest revision; use markups to communicate with the team
- RFI — file formally whenever something is unclear; link to drawing markups
- Daily Log — 5 minutes at the end of every shift; photos are the difference-maker
Get comfortable with these three and you’ve covered the majority of what Procore is used for on site. The rest — Submittals, Punch List, Inspections — you can pick up as they come up in the field.
Part 3 will cover how to self-study Procore and Fieldwire for free before you’re hired, and how to get official certifications you can add to your resume.
📌 ← Part 1: Procore vs Fieldwire vs BIM 360 — Which Construction PM Tool Should You Learn First?
📌 → Part 3: Free Procore & Fieldwire Certifications — Self-Study Guide for Construction Newcomers