7 Common Types of Construction Reports

Construction reports keep stakeholders informed about the progress of their construction projects, helping with the smooth and swift implementation of their projects. 

Needless to say, reports are vital to project success. With hundreds of elements to consider, from budgeting and staffing needs to materials and construction timelines, having reliable records can make or break a project.

Many make use of technology to help with construction reporting and analytics, which collects, analyzes, and monitors data. These platforms effectively reduce risk and improve project outcomes. ALICE, for example, streamlines project reporting while letting you transform data into actionable results.

Nevertheless, here are some common types of construction reports.

1. Daily progress report

A daily progress report summarizes the progress of a construction project on a day-to-day basis. It’s typically prepared by the contractor and includes information about the work completed that day, any issues or challenges that arose in the process, and the expected schedule for the following day.

The purpose of a daily progress report is to keep stakeholders informed about the project’s progress and identify any potential issues or delays as soon as possible. 

A daily progress report should include the following information:

• The date and location of the project
• Any work completed the previous day
• Any experienced issues or challenges
• Work planned for the current day
• Weather conditions
• Any changes to the schedule or scope of the project
• Any additional notes or comments

By preparing a daily progress report, contractors can keep construction owners and other stakeholders in the loop and address any issues that may arise.

2. Weekly progress report

A weekly progress report is a document that summarizes the progress of a construction project over a longer time period, typically a week. It’s similar to a daily progress report, but provides a more detailed overview of the project, and may include information about materials used, labor hours, and any changes to the project’s schedule.

The purpose of a weekly progress report is to keep stakeholders in the know about the overall progress of the project and to identify any potential issues or delays that may impact the schedule. It ensures that the project stays on track and that all parties are aware of any schedule or project scope changes.

A weekly progress report includes almost the same information as the daily report, though with information compiled on a week-by-week basis.

3. Quality control report

A quality control report assesses the quality of the work being completed on a construction project. It’s usually prepared by the quality control team and includes information about any issues or defects that were identified and how they were addressed.

The purpose of a quality control report is to ensure that the work being completed on a project meets required standards and specifications. It ensures that the project is of sufficient quality and that any issues identified are addressed in a timely manner.

A quality control report should include the following information:

• The date and location of the project
• A description of the work being inspected
• Any defects or issues that were identified
• How the defects or issues were addressed
• Any additional notes or comments

4. Safety report

A safety report ensures that the construction site is safe for workers and other individuals who may be present. It identifies and addresses any potential hazards, promoting a culture of workplace safety.

A safety report should include the following information:

• The date and location of the project
• A description of any incidents or near-misses that occurred
• Details about any injuries or damage that resulted from the incident
• Any corrective actions that were taken
• Any additional notes or comments

Safety reports allow contractors to demonstrate a commitment to due diligence.

5. Cost report

A cost report tracks the expenses involved in a construction project. It’s typically prepared by the finance team and includes information about the materials used, labor hours, and any other costs incurred.

The purpose of a cost report is to:

1. Provide an overview concerning the financial status of a project
2. Identify any potential cost overruns or savings

It plays an important role in managing a project’s budget and ensuring the project remains within its financial limits.

A cost report should include the following information:

• Date and location of the project
• Description of the materials used
• Details about labor hours and any additional expenses
• Total costs for the project to date
• Comparison of actual costs to budgeted costs
• Any additional notes or comments

6. Environmental report

An environmental report assesses the environmental impact of a construction project. It’s usually prepared by a designated team, and includes information about any environmental issues identified and how they were addressed.

Environmental reports ensure that the project is conducted in an environmentally responsible manner and that any potential climate impacts are minimized.

An environmental report should include the following information:

• The date and location of the project
• A description of the potential environmental impacts of the project
• Any environmental issues that were identified
• How the issues were addressed
• Any additional measures taken to minimize environmental impacts
• Any additional notes or comments

Environmental reports let contractors demonstrate an awareness and consciousness of environmental responsibility.

7. Final report

A final report is prepared at the end of a construction project and summarizes the overall progress of a project. It includes information about the total amount of work completed, important issues or challenges that occurred, and the final cost of the project.

The purpose of a final report is to provide a comprehensive overview of the project, including any lessons learned and the best practices identified during the construction process. It’s an important tool for documenting the project as a whole, as well as sharing knowledge and experiences with others in the industry.

A final report should include the following information:

• The date and location of the project
• A description of the project scope
• An overview of the work completed
• Any issues or challenges that arose and how they were addressed
• The final cost of the project
• A comparison of actual costs and budgeted costs
• Any lessons learned 
• An identification of the best practices used
• Any additional notes or comments

Reports are vital for construction projects

With the help of the above-mentioned types of reports, construction teams can keep stakeholders informed about project progress, keeping them in the loop about any issues that may arise.