THE PERILS OF DAYORKS!
Usual scenario: While carrying out the contract painting contract, additional decorations were requested and 'touch ups' required where finished decorations were damaged by either the Contractor or 'Other Trades'.
The works were carried out on a dayworks basis. All daywork sheets were all signed by the Contractor's Site Agent
Problem:
The QS is refusing to pay a significant proportion of the dayworks citing that the hours are un-realistic and the usual excuse, that the re-painting was due to 'poor workmanship'!
Please, for all painters out there (and any other subbies): Daywork sheets (even if signed) are NOT a basis for costing additional works. They are merely a record that the works were carried out.
Painters need to 'sharpen up', or they leave themselves open to abuse by Contractor Surveyors.
If you have any additional works to carry out, you MUST try to agree a fixed price for these works BEFORE you carry out the works.
I know this can be difficult at times (particularly with an aggressive Site Agent), but if the QS is arguing about the cost BEFORE you carry out the work, you can be certain that he would not be paying you to daywork sheets of the same value, AFTER you have done the works when you bargaining power is ZERO.
Don't say I didn't warn you!
Regards,
Mark
Painting Quantity Surveyor - panddonine