Daywork rates meaning

Daywork rates are the pricing basis used in construction contracts to value extra work that cannot reasonably be priced in the normal way. They are typically applied to instructed variations where there is no comparable item in the bill of quantities, where quantities are uncertain, for small finishing items, or for urgent/emergency works. Two main approaches are used: - Cost-plus: actual labour, plant and materials at cost, plus an agreed percentage or mark-up for overheads, profit and incidental costs. - All-inclusive rates: pre-agreed “daywork” rates stated in the contract/tender (often a schedule) covering labour by trade/grade, plant and materials, with built-in allowances for overheads and profit. Daywork valuation is effectively time-and-materials based and depends on strict record-keeping. Contractors usually must submit contemporaneous daywork sheets/timesheets and material invoices, commonly to be signed or verified by the architect/engineer/contract administrator. Payment is subject to the contract’s notice, instruction and valuation procedures for variations, and any exclusions (for example, inefficiency or standing time). “Daywork rates” is a descriptive construction term rather than a statutory definition. Its operation is governed by the contract conditions (e.g. JCT, NEC, ICE, RIAI, Irish Public Works Contracts), with broadly consistent usage across England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland.