14 April 2026 · 4 min read
How to keep a construction diary
A construction diary is your most important evidence in a dispute. Learn what to record, who should keep one, and why digital beats paper.
Three months after the scaffolding comes down, nobody remembers exactly when the cracks in the west wall first appeared. Except the person who kept a construction diary.
What to record
- Date and weather conditions
- Contractors present and number of workers
- Work completed per trade
- Material deliveries
- Verbal agreements and decisions made on site
- Incidents, damage, deviations from plan
- Photos with captions
When it pays off
- Defect claims: When was a problem first visible? A dated photo in the diary is the evidence.
- Delays: Weeks of rain on record – that determines whether time extensions are justified.
- Verbal agreements: What was decided on site? In a dispute, only what is documented counts.
- Warranty: The exact handover date is the starting point for all your warranty periods.
Your diary vs. the site manager’s diary
Site managers keep their own diary – written from their perspective. Keep your own in parallel. It takes five minutes per visit.
Keep a digital construction diary
Log entries, attach photos, and keep a complete project record on your smartphone – free during beta.
Get started free →