Construction daily report template

What to include in a construction daily report

• Job and date: project name or number, site address, report date and number, and who prepared it.
• Weather and site conditions: morning and afternoon conditions, temperature range, and anything that limited work, such as rain, mud, access, power or another trade in the way.
• Crew on site: trade or role, number of workers, regular and overtime hours. Record people who were on site, not who was scheduled.
• Work completed: area, task, and quantity or percent complete. “Pulled wire for kitchen circuits 1–4” is useful; “electrical work” is not.
• Equipment and materials: equipment on site and hours used, materials delivered or installed, with delivery ticket or receipt references.
• Delays, issues and extra work: what happened, time lost, who you told, and the change order or T&M ticket number if one was opened.
• Visitors, inspections and safety: inspector visits and results, toolbox talk topic, and any incidents or near misses.
• Photos and sign-off: photo references with captions, plan for tomorrow, and the preparer’s and reviewer’s signatures.

Example: one line that saves an argument later

An electrician arrives to find the drywall crew has closed a wall before rough-in inspection. A weak report says “delay, waited.” A useful report says: “8:10 am — north bedroom wall closed before rough-in inspection. Crew of 2 idle 1.5 hours. Notified site superintendent at 8:20. Photos 14–16. T&M ticket 0412 opened for removal and re-cover.”

That line ties the lost time, the people, the evidence and the extra-work record together. If the cost is disputed weeks later, the daily report shows it was raised the same day.

Daily report vs. change order vs. T&M ticket

The daily report describes the whole day on site. When something outside the planned scope happens, it should point to a separate record: a change order for the agreed scope and price, or a T&M ticket for hours, materials and equipment that will be priced later. Keep them linked by number so the office can follow the trail.

See the construction change order template for approving extra work before it starts.

Before you leave the site

1. Check the date, project and report number.
2. Count the crew and hours actually worked, including overtime and standby time.
3. Write down every delay or extra-work request, who you told, and when.
4. Reference the photos you took, with a short caption for each.
5. Sign it, and get a reviewer’s signature when your contract or company requires one. Keep a copy.

Is a daily report a legal record?

A daily report is evidence of what you observed and recorded at the time. How much weight it carries depends on your contract and the facts. It does not, by itself, approve a change in contract price. This page is general guidance, not legal advice.