Construction disputes can wreak havoc on projects and drain both money and time.
Research by Arcadis shows that in 2023, the average value of disputes in North America surged to $42.8 million—a 42% increase from the previous year. While the average length of disputes dropped to 13.6 months, it still represents a substantial delay that can stall project progress.
The good news is that teams today have robust tools for daily construction reports and forms, which can ensure proper documentation to safeguard against disputes. Well-maintained forms can help you resolve disputes quickly or even prevent them altogether.
We wanted to shed light on how teams can use forms and daily reports in dispute prevention and resolution. So, we turned to the Big Room and asked the community how they use these tools to minimize conflicts on the jobsite.
In case you're unfamiliar with it, the Big Room is an online hub where people discuss all things construction, including trends, best practices, and technology.
In line with that, our blog series, Overheard in the Big Room, showcases some of the top conversations in the community, highlighting expert advice and practical solutions. In this latest installment, we explore best practices for preventing disputes on the jobsite through the effective use of forms and daily reports.
Some members of the Big Room pointed out that daily records are invaluable when it comes to clarifying responsibilities and resolving conflicts quickly.
"Well-maintained daily forms can assist in disputes regarding who was on site that day or claims work wasn't completed on time (daily forms would show what was planned for that day and what was completed, hopefully with pictures as proof)."
"I've had multiple times where my field's daily reports/forms (including their pictures) have helped me prove to a GC that we'd either installed something undamaged, so the damage must be trade damage caused after the fact or prove that we'd installed something fully and properly." - Kira Vander Zanden, Junior Project Manager at Pacific Glazing Contractors
"We had a situation where there was a disagreement about who was responsible for a certain task on the jobsite. Luckily, because we had detailed daily forms documenting each team member's responsibilities and progress, we were able to quickly resolve the dispute and prevent any misunderstandings from escalating." - Bob Kevin Bataller, BIM Manager at Aidea
Staying on top of daily forms can also help clarify project timelines, ensure everyone is on the same page, and reduce the likelihood of disputes. If conflicts do arise, these forms offer a clear, documented record that can be used to address them.
"Detailed daily forms helped resolve a dispute over project delays. Accurate records clarified responsibilities and kept the project on track. I believe that these forms are essential for transparency and accountability." - Negar Moghtadaei, Architectural Designer at AECOM
"Well-maintained daily forms provided evidence to resolve a dispute regarding project timelines, highlighting the importance of documentation in mitigating misunderstandings and ensuring accountability on the jobsite." - Steven Bloomer, Regional BIM Lead at GHD
"When dealing with change orders especially, going back to the moment the work was started is key in figuring out exactly what needs to be done. If daily forms aren't completed correctly, you will not be able to fully understand what work has been completed and how." - Senior Estimator
From uncovering funding issues to ensuring timely payments, teams can use forms to maintain accountability and prevent delays.
"The forms helped to find the main reasons for overpayment." - Lead Engineer
"Our forms have helped us manage scheduling and pay app issues in the past. Documentation has been key to help people 'remember' and not derail us on discussions that someone else's poor memory was driving." - Frank Guckin, Project Manager at Grand Canyon Development Partners
In addition to sharing how forms can prevent or aid in disputes, the community also touched on how teams can ensure that construction documentation practices remain consistent and reliable across the project.
"Proper and thorough documentation will always mitigate possible conflicts and save time and headaches later." - Spencer Pursley, Project Manager at QTS
"Well-maintained daily forms played a pivotal role in resolving a dispute regarding project progress and payment on a construction site.
By accurately documenting daily activities, including work completed, materials used, and any issues encountered, we were able to provide indisputable evidence of the work performed. This transparency helped clarify misunderstandings and build trust between project stakeholders, ultimately leading to a swift resolution without escalating the dispute further.
The key insight from this experience is the importance of consistent and thorough documentation in mitigating conflicts and fostering collaborative relationships on construction projects." - Tracie Vân-Trang T. Nguyễn, Platinum Student Ambassador at Autodesk
We hope you enjoyed this installment of Overheard in the Big Room! Remember, the things we shared here are just tidbits from the rich conversations that take place in the community every day. The Big Room is brimming with expert advice, real-world experiences, and practical solutions—and we'd love to have you there!
So, if you're looking for a place where you can ask questions, swap ideas, or just keep up with the latest discussion, sign up for the Big Room and be part of a thriving network of construction professionals
See you there!
