Documentation Standards
Document Type: Policy
Version: 1.0
Last Updated: February 2026
Distribute To: All Project Personnel
Purpose
Establish company-wide documentation standards to ensure consistency, protect against disputes, meet compliance requirements, and support project success.
The Golden Rule of Construction Documentation
"If it's not documented, it didn't happen."
In construction disputes, the party with better documentation wins. Every conversation, decision, delay, and issue should be documented.
Daily Documentation Requirements
Daily Reports (Field Personnel)
Due: End of each work day
Who: Superintendent, Foreman, or designated reporter
Required Content:
- Date, project name, report number
- Weather conditions (start, end, temperature, precipitation)
- Manpower by trade (company employees and subs)
- Work performed (specific locations and activities)
- Materials received and installed
- Equipment on site
- Visitors and inspections
- Issues, delays, or impacts
- Safety observations
- Tomorrow's planned activities
- Photos (minimum 3-5 per day)
Photo Requirements:
- Overall site conditions (AM and PM)
- Work in progress by each active trade
- Concealed work BEFORE covering
- Deliveries (especially for tracking purposes)
- Any issues, defects, or damage
- Weather conditions if impacting work
Time Documentation
Due: Daily
Who: All employees and supervisors
Required:
- Start and end times
- Project/cost code allocation
- Overtime justification
- Supervisor approval
For Prevailing Wage/Certified Payroll:
- Classification and wage rate
- Fringe benefit allocation
- Apprentice ratios verified
- Certified payroll submitted weekly
Project Documentation Requirements
Submittals
Track:
- Submittal number and revision
- Date submitted
- Date required for approval
- Specification section
- Current status
- Reviewer and response date
File Naming: [ProjectNumber]_SUB_[SpecSection]_[Description]_Rev[#]
RFIs (Request for Information)
Track:
- RFI number
- Date submitted
- Response required date
- Question/request
- Response received
- Schedule/cost impact
File Naming: [ProjectNumber]_RFI_[Number]_[Description]
Response Time Standards:
- Routine RFI: 7 calendar days
- Urgent RFI: 48 hours
- Document delays when exceeded
Change Orders
Document:
- Change order number
- Description of changed work
- Reason for change (owner request, field condition, design error, etc.)
- Cost breakdown (labor, material, equipment, subs, markup)
- Schedule impact (if any)
- Approval signatures
- Date work can proceed
File Naming: [ProjectNumber]_CO_[Number]_[Description]
Meeting Minutes
Document:
- Date, time, location
- Attendees (name and company)
- Agenda items discussed
- Decisions made
- Action items (owner, due date)
- Next meeting date
Distribute: Within 24 hours
File Naming: [ProjectNumber]_MINS_[YYYYMMDD]_[MeetingType]
Photo Documentation Standards
Naming Convention
[ProjectNumber]_[Date]_[Location]_[Description].jpg
Example: 2024-001_20260201_Level2_Electrical-Rough.jpg
Minimum Requirements
| Project Phase | Photos/Day | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Mobilization | 10+ | Existing conditions, lay-down areas |
| Foundation | 5-10 | Excavation, rebar, concrete |
| Structure | 5-10 | Steel, decking, connections |
| MEP Rough-In | 10+ | Before close-up, penetrations |
| Close-Up | 5-10 | Insulation, drywall progress |
| Finishes | 5-10 | Quality, defects, progress |
| Punch List | As needed | Each deficiency |
| Closeout | 20+ | Final conditions, all areas |
What to Always Photograph
- Existing conditions (before work)
- Underground work before backfill
- Concealed work before cover-up
- Test/inspection results
- Defects or damaged materials
- Delays (weather, access issues, etc.)
- Safety hazards found and corrected
- Deliveries (quantities, condition)
Filing Structure
Digital File Organization
/Projects
/[ProjectNumber]_[ProjectName]
/01-Contract
/02-Drawings
/03-Specifications
/04-Submittals
/05-RFIs
/06-Change-Orders
/07-Meeting-Minutes
/08-Daily-Reports
/09-Photos
/10-Correspondence
/11-Safety
/12-Financial
/13-Closeout
Retention Requirements
| Document Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Contracts | Permanent |
| As-Built Drawings | Permanent |
| Insurance certificates | Life of project + 10 years |
| Financial records | 7 years |
| Daily reports | Life of project + 6 years |
| Safety records | 5 years or per OSHA |
| Payroll records | 7 years (10 for prevailing wage) |
| General correspondence | 6 years |
Email Documentation
Subject Line Format
[Project Number] - [Topic] - [Action Required/FYI]
Example: PRJ-2024-001 - RFI #45 Response - Action Required
When to Use Email vs. Other Methods
| Use Email When | Don't Use Email When |
|---|---|
| Paper trail needed | Sensitive/confidential discussions |
| Non-urgent matters | Complex negotiations |
| Distributing documents | Emergency situations |
| Confirming verbal agreements | Matters requiring nuance |
| Formal notices | Delivering bad news |
Important: Written Confirmation
After any verbal discussion that includes commitments or decisions, send confirmation email:
Subject: Confirmation - [Topic Discussed] - [Date]
[Name],
Per our conversation today, I am confirming the following:
- [Key point 1]
- [Key point 2]
- [Agreed action items]
Please let me know if I have misunderstood anything.
Regards,
[Your name]
Quality Standards
Document Review Checklist
Before submitting any document:
- Correct project number/name
- Date is current
- All required fields completed
- Spelling and grammar checked
- Attachments included
- Correct recipients
- Appropriate tone
Common Documentation Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Backdating documents
❌ Altering documents after signing
❌ Vague descriptions ("worked on building")
❌ Missing dates or signatures
❌ Photos without context or labels
❌ Informal language in formal documents
❌ Storing documents only locally (no backup)
Tools and Technology
Recommended Software
- Daily Reports: BLDR Pro (mobile-friendly, offline capable)
- Document Management: Procore, BLDR Pro, or cloud storage
- Photos: BLDR Pro (auto GPS/timestamp) or dedicated photo app
- Time Tracking: BLDR Time or BLDR Pro
Backup Requirements
- All project documents backed up daily
- Cloud storage preferred
- Local backup weekly
- Test restoration quarterly
Related Documents
- Daily Report Template
- Photo Log Template
- RFI Log Template
- Change Order Form
- Meeting Minutes Template
Template provided by support.construction. Customize with your company information.