Why keep a daily log
Most days nothing in the log matters. Then a delay claim, a damaged delivery, an inspector's note or a customer's memory of what was agreed turns one day's entry into the only record anyone has. A log written that day, with the weather, the crew and what happened, is far stronger than anything pieced together later.
What to write each day
- Weather and temperature, which explain delays and some quality problems.
- Every person and sub on site, their trade and hours.
- Work done and where on the job.
- Deliveries: what came, from whom, and any damage or shortage.
- Visitors and inspections, with results.
- Delays and their cause.
- Safety talks, near misses and incidents.
- Photos, referenced by time or location.
Turning logs into money
Hours in the log back up a time and materials invoice. Delays caused by others back up a change order for added days. And the log is where you notice a job running over its hours before it is too late to say so.
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