The Secret To Getting Paid

Records! Records! Records!

Good record keeping is essential to the success of any construction project. In order to substantiate your payment applications you need a meticulous history of all the works carried out on site.

This includes what resources and materials were used, how long everything took, photographs and a clear explanation for any delays.

Inconsistent project reporting leads to underpayment. For consistent reporting, you need to keep contemporaneous records.

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So What Are Contemporaneous Records?

Contemporaneous means originating, existing or happening during the same time. Contemporaneous records, therefore, are records taken at the time an event or activity is occuring.

In the construction world this might mean documenting a problem on-site as it is discovered and unfolds, including photographic evidence and a clear report of actions taken to resolve it. No matter how good your memory is, you won’t be able to attain the same level of detail if you sit down to record it at the end of the day.

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What Do Contemporaneous Records Give Us?

The most important thing to remember is that the collation and storage of records is not optional. Everyone has a duty to ensure that their records are up-to-date and thorough.

Essentially, records give us the ‘who, what, where, why, when and how’. These fundamental details go hand in hand with keeping good site records. They provide your project manager with a full picture when assessing the impact of an event or defending a claim.

Missing information puts a project at risk of loss of reputation or income.

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What Records Should You Keep?

There’s a lot of paperwork involved in any construction project and it’s no secret that with the current pen and paper method, people start to view it as a meaningless, box-checking task. But every piece of paperwork forms a piece of a puzzle that is vital to the success of your project.

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How Can I Stay On Top Of My Record Keeping?

Raildiary provides a central, digitalised hub for all of your records. You can fill them all out in one place using your mobile phone or tablet, as you move through the site itself. It can then automatically generate useful comparisons and insights to help your project planning.

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