Thursday, February 01, 2024

What are the major travel expenses in Construction?

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Travel expenses for construction workers can be quite specific to the nature of the work, which always involves moving between different job sites, sometimes in different cities or states. Here are some of the key components of travel expenses for construction workers:

1. Transportation Costs

This is one of the major travel expenses and includes the cost of getting to and from job sites. This can involve:

+ Maintenance. (Oil change, tire rotation and replacement etc.)

+ Fuel.

+ Costs for renting vehicles. (Especially for transporting large tools or equipment.)

+ Public transportation fares. (Uber, Lyft, Metro etc.)

2. Lodging Expenses

For projects far from home, construction workers may need to stay in hotels. In some cases, employers may provide temporary housing or trailers near the job site.

3. Meals

Construction workers are often provided with a daily meal allowance or per diem. This is to cover the cost of meals.

4. Tools and Equipment Transportation

For workers that must transport their own tools and equipment to the job site.

5. Travel Time Compensation

For construction workers, the time spent traveling to and from job sites may be considered compensable work time, especially if it's outside their normal commute.

6. Training or Certificates

In some cases, travel expenses might also include the cost of specialized training or certification required for a particular job site, especially if it's in a different region with specific regulations.

It's important for construction workers and employers to clearly understand and agree upon the terms of travel expenses, especially since construction projects can vary greatly in location and duration. Employers usually have a detailed travel expense policy that outlines what is covered and how expenses are reimbursed.

We recommend using Receipt-AI for collecting and managing your receipts and expenses. Simply take a picture of the receipt and send it via SMS. Receipt-AI is the most convenient way for construction workers to upload their receipts.

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More information about construction expenses:

Per Diem Rates: Some construction companies use per diem rates to simplify the reimbursement process. This is a daily allowance given to cover all travel expenses, including meals, lodging, and other expenses.

Union Rules and Agreements:For unionized construction workers, travel expenses and allowances might be subject to collective bargaining agreements, which can stipulate specific rates and conditions.