1. What is a T&M Tag?
A Time and Material (T&M) Tag (also referred to as a T&M slip, field work order, or force account slip) is a written or digital document created on a construction jobsite to record out-of-scope labor, equipment, and material used to perform unbudgeted or extra work requested by the owner or General Contractor (GC).
Crucially, a T&M tag verifies what occurred on site (e.g., 2 electricians working for 4 hours to relocate conduit). It is signed by the superintendent or GC representative to verify that the hours and materials recorded are accurate.
2. T&M Tag vs. Change Order Request (COR): Key Differences
Many field teams confuse T&M tags with formal Change Order Requests. Understanding the distinction is vital for proper billing:
T&M Tag (Field Stage)
- • Created in the field by foremen
- • Records physical hours, equipment, and materials
- • Verifies quantities worked (not dollar amounts)
- • Signed by GC field superintendent
Change Order Request (Office Stage)
- • Created in office by project manager
- • Applies contractual hourly rates & material markups
- • Calculates exact total dollar value
- • Formal amendment to project contract
3. The 5 Essential Elements of a High-Quality T&M Tag
When GCs reject T&M tags, it is almost always due to missing information. A legally defensible T&M tag must include:
Project & Location Details
Exact project name, job number, grid lines, and room/floor location of the extra work.
Itemized Labor Breakdown
Worker names, trade classifications (Foreman, Journeyman, Apprentice), regular vs. overtime hours.
Equipment Hours & Rates
Specific machinery utilized (e.g., 40ft Boom Lift) and exact stand-by or active operating hours.
Materials & Invoices
Quantities of materials consumed with attached delivery receipts or purchase order slips.
Digital Timestamped Signature & Photos
Superintendent signature captured on site, paired with high-res photos of the work site.
4. Why Paper T&M Tags Lead to Lost Revenue
Historically, trade contractors relied on carbon-copy paper clipboards. Industry surveys reveal that paper-based T&M workflows result in:
- Lost Paperwork: Up to 15% of field tags get misplaced before reaching the accounting department.
- Sign-off Delays: Foremen fail to catch GCs before they leave site, delaying approvals for weeks.
- Unreadable Handwriting: illegible hours lead to disputed invoices and trimmed payments.
Transition to Digital T&M Tags with TrakSlip
TrakSlip gives your field crews a 60-second smartphone workflow to create audit-proof digital T&M tickets with photo proof and instant GC e-signatures.
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