Dayworks in Construction (Daywork Rates & BOQ)
How daywork schedules price extra work on time-and-materials bases and when they apply.
Basics
Dayworks cover additional work that cannot be measured easily as fixed quantities at the time, priced using agreed labour, plant, and material rates plus percentages.
Contracts cap daywork exposure or require prior authorization—check notice periods.
A typical daywork sheet lists craft rates, plant categories, material markups, and supervision—each line must match the contract’s definition of “daywork.”
When dayworks are used
They appear for small instructions, emergency work, or scope where design is incomplete—anything where fixing a lump sum would be guesswork.
Smart teams try to convert daywork to measured items once scope stabilises, to restore budget predictability.
Records and disputes
Daily sheets with hours, plant IDs, and materials signed by the right person reduce arguments at month-end.
If rates are “all-inclusive,” confirm whether overtime, travel, or consumables are already covered before claiming extras.