Construction glossary
What is a daily report in construction?
Also called daily field report, DFR, daily log.
A daily report is the operational log of a shift: progress, conditions, visitors, delays, and notes. Contractors use it to run the job. It is not a substitute for a T&M ticket or LEM when the extra has to be billed.
What belongs on a daily report
Date, location, crew, weather, work accomplished, delays, visitors, safety notes, and anything the superintendent needs tomorrow. Quantities can appear, but billable rates usually do not.
Daily report versus LEM
The daily report explains what the site did. The LEM lists labor, equipment, and materials the client can be billed. Mixing them is how payroll exports end up on invoices.
When both are written
Heavy civil and utility crews often write a daily report and a LEM the same day. Keep the commercial ticket on the extra. Keep the report for operations and claims context.
Daily report FAQ
Is a daily report enough to bill T&M?
Usually no. Billing needs classes, rates, and often a client signature on a T&M ticket or LEM.
What does DFR mean?
Daily field report. Same family as a daily report or daily log: operational, not the commercial ticket.
The index is a benchmark. Rate sheets are how you bill.
Rates shows public charge-out ranges. SubTrack rate sheets lock your crew numbers into a template the field actually bills from, on every LEM.
One template, every job
Labor, equipment, materials, and subs live in one sheet. Assign it to a project and tickets read the same numbers.
OT and markup apply themselves
Standby, overtime, and markup rules ride with the sheet. The field does not retype them.
The client sees what they signed
Line items match the agreed rates. Fewer disputes, faster approvals.
Project rate sheet
Labor · assigned to the job
| Position | Reg. rate | OT rate |
|---|---|---|
| Foreman | $72/hr | $108/hr |
| Operator | $68/hr | $102/hr |
| Laborer | $35/hr | $52.50/hr |