In episode 62 of The Subcontractors Blueprint podcast, Jacob Austin of QS.Zone covers the topic of day works, offering crucial advice for subcontractors. He emphasises the importance of understanding day work rates, accurately tracking hours and materials, and negotiating rates upfront to avoid disputes. Jacob provides insights on how to account for all associated costs, including supervision, travel, insurance, and equipment. He also highlights the necessity of maintaining detailed records to justify charges.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Importance of charging appropriately for incidental work.
• Components that influence day work rates, including labor, overheads, and profit margins.
• Common misunderstandings surrounding day works and their pricing.
• Strategies for documenting day works, including logbooks and photographs.
• Financial implications of underestimating costs associated with day works.

BEST MOMENTS:

“There is a generally well known and well used definition of day works now that was produced by the Building Cost Information Service”

“The RICS or the BCIS regularly maintains and updates day work rates for unskilled labor all the way through to the likes of Master Craftsman.”

“When you then later charge a day work rate, you're expected to charge what is written down in your subcontract. And all of these incidental elements are expected to be included in that rate."

"So part of what you need to do here is to digest that list and work out your typical costs of employing a person on your site, and how much they are going to have to contribute towards all of the on site running costs”

“This can of course save you a lot of hassle down the line over what's done and how much it costs."

Jacob is on a mission to help the 1 million SME contractors working within the construction industry. If you've taken something of value from this episode, please share the podcast with someone you know, and pass the value on.

HOST BIO: Meet Jacob Austin, a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with a rich background at construction industry giants Balfour Beatty, Kier, and Vistry Group. With extensive involvement in education, health, and residential projects spanning various scales, from £1000s to £100M in concurrent developments, Jacob brings a unique perspective. Having collaborated with numerous small businesses, he's now committed to sharing his expertise to drive their success. Join Jacob on his podcast, where he blends his profound insights and personable approach to offer guidance, industry secrets, and inspirational stories.

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-austin/

Instagram - www.instagram.com/qs.zone/

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