Category: Quantities & pricing
Prepared by Eng. Ahmed Fathy, Projects Manager ·
Definition
Dayworks prices small or unforeseen work that is hard to measure, using actual labour hours, plant and materials at rates agreed in advance in a schedule, plus a percentage for overheads and profit.
Why it matters on a project
They give a quick route for urgent work without price disputes, but need daily signed records or they turn into disagreement.
Measurement and pricing
Per hour or day for each labour and plant category, materials at invoice plus a percentage, per the contract dayworks schedule.
Worked example
Urgent work: 3 workers × 8 hours × 25 SAR = 600, plant 4 hours × 150 = 600, materials invoiced 900 + 15% = 1,035, a total of 2,235 SAR.
Common mistake
Carrying out dayworks without a written instruction and timesheets signed daily by the engineer.
Frequently asked questions
When are dayworks used?
For small urgent work that is hard to measure or price with existing unit rates.
Who approves the hours?
The consultant's or owner's engineer signs the timesheet daily.
Related terms
- Variation order (VO)A written instruction changing scope, quantity or specification, with its price and time effect.
- Unit rateThe item price per unit of measure, built from material, labour and equipment then indirect costs and profit.
- Provisional sumAn amount included in the contract for work not yet defined, spent on actuals.
- Minutes of meeting (MOM)A written record of what was discussed and decided, with the owner and due date of each action.
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